Dawson County High School will not be holding a traditional graduation ceremony this year due to COVID-19, but will instead host a graduation parade through the county on July 29, the school system announced on Thursday. 

“Based on current guidance from the Department of Public Health, we will not be able to hold a traditional graduation gathering this month,” a post to the Dawson County High School Facebook said. “It is our firm belief that our seniors deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and yet we have to keep the health and safety of our entire community at the forefront of our decision-making.”

While the ceremony itself is canceled, the school system has been working on new ideas of how to celebrate the class of 2020, the post said. 

“We are excited to announce that we will hold a drive-through graduation parade on our originally rescheduled date of Wednesday, July 29,” the post said. “Each senior will be allowed to bring two cars through a parade route that will begin at Dawson County Junior High and will culminate with the presentation of his/her diploma at the Dawson County High School Performing Arts Center.”

Students and their families are encouraged to decorate their cars in any way they want to, and community members are encouraged to come out to cheer for the graduates. Community members interested in attending are encouraged to bring signs, noisemakers to honor the graduates, but any participants will be asked to practice social distancing during the parade so as to ensure the safety of all present.

More details about the parade will be announced and sent to the 2020 graduates in the coming weeks, the post said. 

“Please know that we wish we were able to host a traditional graduation ceremony for you, but we are working very hard to plan an event that will give you the recognition that you deserve for reaching this important milestone,” the post said. “We can’t wait to see you all on July 29th.”