Oxford High Students Missing Out on Grad Ceremony

Many high school seniors are like Oxford High’s Jay Wenger — feeling a bit cheated after learning the traditional graduation ceremony was not an option.

“I would rather just push it back, the physical graduation to sometime next year. It’s symbolic for you, passing on to the next chapter of your life,” Wenger said. “I can get my diploma, they can mail me the diploma that’s all alright, but I think the physical graduation is necessary.”

Oxford high school superintendent Brian Harvey understands but says some sort of graduation will still happen.

“We are working through on what those plans might be, Harvey said.

https://youtu.be/mFP7qcS_uLA

In the meantime, Wenger and the rest of his classmates have to keep working toward their degrees.

“Just getting grades as well. Some class are doing more like a pass or fail. Some aren’t doing any work and then the duel enrollment classes are challenging” said Wenger. “Some of the classes that I am in are college classes. It’s challenging doing high school work and college classes.”

Harvey agrees it’s been a challenge to keep the semester on track, but it’s working.

“Learning is taking place, learning by teachers is taking place, and learning by students is taking place. It may not be completely centered around the standards of learning and the curriculum standards of the Department of Education, but trust me, students are becoming very aware.”

Like hundreds of his classmates, Wenger will complete his degree – and these 2020 high school graduates will have quite a story to tell one day.