Lindale ISD’s annual graduation ceremony will be held as scheduled on May 29 at 8 p.m. at Eagle Stadium. The district is also implementing various procedures that comply with state guidelines to ensure safety for the graduates, administrators and spectators due to COVID-19.

“Our goal throughout this time has been to have an in-person graduation in as traditional a sense as we can for our seniors,” principal Jeremy Chilek said. 

Each graduate is allowed five guests, per state rules for the event. All spectators must fill out a medical questionnaire prior to the event and will then receive a ticket that is required in order to be allowed in. Seniors will turn in their forms and pick up their tickets on May 22. 

“I am a little weary about there being a large crowd of people, but I‘m sure the administration will make it as safe as they can,” senior Jamie Thornton said. “It’s something we’ve all been looking forward to for such a long time.”

For those who are unable to attend, there will be a livestream video of the ceremony. The link will be posted on the district and high school websites at a date closer to graduation.

“The purpose of the live stream is to provide the graduation experience to those who live too far away to attend or who are physically unable to come,” Neda Morrow, career and technology instructor, said. “Additionally, with the new social distancing rules, it will allow more people to see graduation than just those allowed in the stadium.”

The graduates will be spaced 6-feet apart, and there will be similar guidelines for those in the stands. There will not be a traditional ‘meeting’ of seniors and families on the field after graduation, and instead all spectators and graduates must leave immediately after the ceremony is over. Seniors will be expected to follow all LHS rules, including dress code.

“I think it’ll definitely feel different than it has for people who have graduated in previous years,” Thornton said. “I kind of already feel like I’ve graduated but it’ll definitely still be great to have that rite of passage and walk the stage.”