DOTHAN, Ala.— Dothan High schools seniors and parents have started a petition to have a traditional graduation.
The petition has gained over 750 signatures and parents think a traditional graduation is possible.
“They can absolutely do a traditional ceremony with COVID restrictions in place, which would be social distancing and, you know, using masks,” parent Rhonda Pasibe said.
Thursday morning, Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards held a special called Zoom meeting with the school board.
Edwards said while she isn’t opposed to having a traditional ceremony, she wants students to be safe.
“I would probably try to split the group in half to be a little bit more cautious and to be able to have the manpower to help to keep kids distant,” Edwards said.
The split ceremony would be held at an amphitheater at the National Peanut Festival Fairgounds if they were to go this route.
Students said a split ceremony is a valid idea. One student said he would much rather have a split ceremony than the drive-through ceremony that is currently planned.
“You know to have split, I don’t know how that would go,” Dothan high senior Jett Clayton said. “Either way though, I think that would be much better than the drive-through graduation.”
Clayton suggested holding the ceremony at Rip Hewes — stating the location would offer plenty of space. School officials aren’t sure.
“Right now, my head is not for let’s just shift everything and put everybody out on the football field and hope that they all social distance,” Edwards said.
Regardless of what decision is made, for this Dothan senior, he said he hopes a compromise can be found.
“Safety is of the utmost concern of the school board and superintendent, but you know I feel like you know it shouldn’t keep us from having you know the best possible graduation we could have,” Clayton said.
