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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E450-E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATIONS AIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL
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HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 15, 2020
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, in the midst of the
catastrophe of the Wuhan Virus it was uplifting to read on the front
page of The State newspaper of Columbia, S.C., on May 14th ``Airport
High School holds virtual graduation ceremony'' by Tracy Glantz.
Lexington County School District Two is professionally led by
Superintendent Bill James with an extraordinary School Board of
Chairman Bill Bingham, Elizabeth (Beth) Dickerson Branham, Cynthia M.
(Cindy) Kessler, R. Kevin Key, Christina Rucker, J.M. (Bud) Summers,
and Linda Alford-Wooten. Principal David Damm provides dynamic
leadership.
I Include in the Record the article highlighted by the inspiring
family photo of Graduate Marcus Gadsden and his deservedly proud
parents Yvonne and Richard Gadsden.
Airport High School Graduation
About 300 seniors at Airport High School walked across a
stage in their graduation caps and gowns on Wednesday, but it
wasn't their graduation day yet. Wednesday was the second day
of filming and photographing at the school to produce a
televised, virtual graduation ceremony that will air June 6.
[[Page E451]]
South Carolina state officials have left it to school
districts to plan for graduation while taking necessary
precautions with social distancing to stop the spread of
coronavirus. ``We talked of every possible option, but never
stepped away from our foundational desire to keep it safe and
keep it responsible,'' Airport High Principal David Damm
said.
Groups of graduates and their parents were spaced several
feet apart as they approached the stage. The students took
their turns, walking across the stage, receiving their
diploma case and getting photographs made. These images will
be put together in a video along with speeches by Principal
David Damm, valedictorian Ashleigh Smith, salutatorian Rose
Brandon, Student Body President Katie Kyzer, and Senior Class
President Geena Rocanella.
``There's some element to it that we hope is special. . .
We are trying to provide the graduates with a memory, a video
of their graduation, but do it in a way that keeps people
apart and safe,'' Damm said.
``I'm just glad to have had a ceremony, even if it was
small,'' Julion Brooks said after walking across the stage.
His parents, Shaquana and Lamar Brooks, made photographs
while wearing T-shirts honoring the class of 2020--``delayed
not denied''--printed across the front.
At Lexington District 2's other high school, Brookland-
Cayce, students will have a similar opportunity on May 14.
Other efforts to help honor the class of 2020 include yard
signs, billboards, social media and a countywide porch light
salute on May 20, at 8:20 p.m. Virtual graduation ceremonies
for the two high schools will air online and on local
television June 6, the Lexington 2 school district announced
this week.
They will be broadcast together from 5-7 p.m. June 6 on
WACH-Fox 57. They will also be available for streaming via
STIRR, a free TV app. The presentations will be posted on the
school district's YouTube channel after they have aired.
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