Honoring the Class of 2021

With May right around the corner, celebrations to honor the Lakota East and Lakota West Class of 2021 are set to have a more traditional look and feel, albeit with some modifications due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Seniors will have the opportunity to return to their elementary schools for the Parade of Graduates on May 17. To follow safety guidelines, the event will take place outside each building, with seniors in their caps and gowns and carrying signs announcing their future plans. The annual event, which started in 2017, not only gives seniors a unique sendoff, but gives elementary-aged students a chance to see all of the opportunities that could await them. “Lakota’s Parade of Graduates is a special opportunity for everyone that gets to be a part of it,” said Leah Aguiliar, Lakota’s parent and community outreach coordinator and organizer of the event. “Learning is often a challenge for us all, as we each have different strengths,” she continued. “The celebration of these graduates helps give that motivation that it CAN be done and that the school staff is there to cheer you on not just when you are in their classroom. For our high school graduates, it is an opportunity to be unique role models in a way nobody else can for these elementary students.”

Graduation returns to Xavier University’s Cintas Center this year. In order to follow social distancing protocols and allow up to four guests per graduate, each school will hold two ceremonies. The events will be livestreamed courtesy of Cintas. “We are excited to return to Cintas this year,” said Superintendent Matthew Miller. “Although there will still be some modifications due to the pandemic, our seniors will be able to experience many of our time-honored traditions.” Lakota East’s ceremonies will take place on Wednesday, May 19 at 5 and 8 p.m., with Lakota West following on Friday, May 21 at 5 and 8 p.m. The ceremonies will be divided by alphabet, with students whose last names begin with the letters A-L participating in the first session and M-Z the second.

Once again, the community is invited to “light the path” for the Class of 2021 by tying a ribbon around a tree or porch light in their high school’s colors. At 8:21 p.m. on the night of graduation, 2021 in military time, neighbors can turn on their front porch lights in honor of Lakota’s graduates.