The Linsly School in Wheeling Announces Graduation Plans
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WHEELING -- The Linsly School plans to host a delayed graduation for seniors on campus this summer, but officials realize it's likely some graduates might have to participate from half a world away.
The school plans to graduate 78 at its commencement ceremony, now set for on July 25. Events are scheduled to take place outside, and a rain date has been set for July 26. The time for the ceremony will be later announced.
"We know that this is not how our seniors envisioned their spring semester at Linsly," said Justin Zimmerman, Linsly head of school. "Our seniors said goodbye to each other for the last time on March 12 without even realizing it.
"While we all share in their disappointments of canceled events such prom and the spring sports season, we are excited about what we do have planned for them. We plan to continue many senior traditions that they look forward to -- including the laying of their senior bricks and shirt signing -- (this week) while still practicing social distancing."
The school will host a senior parade through campus to honor the members of the Class of 2020 on Wednesday.
"And of course, we will celebrate all of their accomplishments during a graduation ceremony later this summer," Zimmerman said.
While Zimmerman recognizes that some members of the senior class, specifically seniors who are international boarding students, will not be able to return to campus for a graduation ceremony in July, he has every intention of celebrating each and every one of the 78 members of the Class of 2020.
"Our senior class is a diverse group, composed of students from right here in Wheeling as well as from all around the world -- including Mexico, China, Rwanda, Germany and Austria to name a few," Zimmerman said. "Unfortunately, we know many of these international seniors will not be able to return to campus for graduation. However, we plan to include a virtual component to the graduation ceremony, such as live streaming it over the internet, so that all of our seniors can participate in graduation whether they are here or abroad."
Many of Linsly's students from outside the United States returned home at the start of the coronavirus crisis, though some could not and did remain on campus, according to Stacey Creely, director of public relations and assistant director of admissions at Linsly.
"When everything happened, some could go home immediately, and some couldn't," she said. "Our boarding department remained open. Most are home. The challenge is going to be getting them back. We're going to have to have some virtual component for graduation.
"We know they won't come back, so we will live stream it so they can see it. We also will have to work out timing so their families can see it, as well."
Graduation events begin Wednesday when most of the graduating seniors will return to the campus for a parade in their honor. The parade is to begin at 7:20 p.m., with seniors riding in individual cars. Parents and staff are invited to come cheer at the parade.
It is tradition at the school for seniors to place a brick in the sidewalk on campus with their name and the date of their graduation, and this will still occur, Creely said. Seniors will be called in small groups to place their bricks throughout the day on Wednesday.
Another tradition at Linsly is the signing of the white dress shirts worn by seniors during their time at the school.
"But they can't do that this year," Creely said. "We are asking seniors to drop a shirt off with their name on it beforehand, and the seniors can go around and sign these (during the day on Wednesday).
"It's nice to do what we can to continue traditions we've done for so many years."
On Friday, all seniors were invited to participate in a video conference call in which they would announce their college choices to faculty and staff.