East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

By Charlotte Baker

POMEROY–The School District No. 110 will present the 2021 High School graduating class at the "130th Commencement Ceremony" in the high school gymnasium on June 5 at 2:30 p.m. Guests are limited to 20 per graduate and graduation will be livestreamed on the Pomeroy Jr-Sr High School Facebook page.

Pomeroy High School (PHS) graduating seniors: Natalie Kathrine Bryson; Tyson Carter Kimble, Salutatorian; Josielyn Marie Zimmerman; Katie Marie Cook; Tomina Theresa Scharnhorst; Hanna Erin Kay Gerking; Noah John Albert Lamb; Emma Anne Severs; Logan Lee Ledgerwood; Maya Anne Kowatsch; Nicholas Brandeis Vendeland, Valedictorian; Mason Dean Baker; Devon Michael Noffsinger; Chloe Hope America Mayfield; Carson Allen Zimmerman; and McKenzie Elaine Watko, will begin commencement week with their last day of school on June 2. Rehearsal exercises are planned at the PHS gymnasium at 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. with lunch in the high school courtyard at 12 p.m.

The "Graduation Pickup Parade" will begin at the PHS parking lot and Pataha Street at 1:45 p.m., traveling west on Pataha Street to 15th (the City Park) turning north (left) on 15th Street to Main Street, then west (left) on Main Street to 6th Street, south (left) on 6th Street to Arlington Street, south (left) on Arlington Street to 15th Street, north (left) on 15th to Columba Street and finally a south (left) turn onto 10th Street leading back to the PHS parking lot.

Graduates will line up in McGreevy's Hallway at 2:15 p.m., then prepare for their final walk by the high school office at 2:25 p.m., and the "Graduation March" at 2:30 p.m.

Commencement program is as follow: Processional to "Pomp and Circumstance" by Edward Elgar; Pledge of Allegiance by Associate Student Body President Tyson Kimble; Welcome statement by Senior Class President McKenzie Watko, the Salutatorian Address by Tyson Kimble; Principal's Message and Awards given by High School Principal Amy Miller; the Valedictorian Address by Nick Vendeland; followed by the presentation of scholarships by Fred Knebel. To conclude this portion of the ceremony a video show will be shown by Senior Class Advisor Toddette McGreevy.

The "Presentation of Diplomas and Graduates" will begin with the certification of the class by the Pomeroy School District No. 110 Superintendent Rachel Gwinn. "Class Roll" will be taken by Senior Class Advisor Toddette McGreevy, followed by the "Awarding of the Diplomas" by Pomeroy School District No. 110 Board of Directors Kyle Pearson. At this point, the Class of 2021 will take a moment to gather as a group for photos which will then be followed by the "Class Response" led by Senior Class President McKenzie Watko. Then, finally, the "Turning of the Tassels" directed by a selected guest–Sanford Bates, will precede the "Recessional" to a song chosen by the Class of 2021.

-Submitted photo

Salutatorian Tyson Kimble

"Following graduation, the graduates will exit the school through the main doors and form a "greeting line" where they can "greet" the public," said Senior Class Advisor Toddette McGreevy. "If people wish to drive by and celebrate the graduates, please come by to honk, cheer, and deliver cards or gifts! The greeting line will be outside along the high school sidewalk for 15 minutes following the ceremony," she added.

To comply with COVID protocols, each graduate is allowed 20 guests using one of two entrances–the regular activity doors or main high school doors in order to minimize congestion. Masks are required, families within the same household will be seated together, and each separate family will be distanced in sections three to six feet apart. It is expected for those not feeling well to stay at home where they can watch commencement exercises on the Pomeroy Jr–Sr High School Facebook page where it will be livestreamed.