Lemoore High School District planning unique 'distance learning' commencement ceremonies as students prepare to end high school days

The high school welcomed students and parents outside the arena, a procession similar to the West Hills College Lemoore commencement held earlier this week where students while remaining in their cars, were greeted by the school's administrators and staff. Students will be allowed to leave their vehicles for a photo.

Thursday night's COVID-19 inspired graduation ceremony is the first of three scheduled commencement ceremonies in the next few weeks. The district's alternative high school, Jamison High, has scheduled a 10 a.m. ceremony on June 3. Lemoore High School's commencement is scheduled for June 4. 

While this year's graduation ceremonies may be altered from past years, they certainly will be remembered. And for many of this year's Lemoore High School seniors, it could be the first time in weeks they've visited the campus. School officials asked students to stay home on March 16, and they have not returned, instead, relying on distance learning from their homes.

Lemoore High School's graduation ceremony ( the 119th version) will go on, but not in the traditional sense. Instead, on June 4, at about 6:30 p.m. the high school's senior class, approximately 376 students, all decked out in purple caps and gowns, will caravan through the high school grounds, stopping at one point to pop out of their vehicle, collect their diplomas and take a photo.

Commencement Schedules

• May 21, Lemoore Middle College High School at 6 p.m. in front of West Hills College Lemoore Golden Eagle Arena.
• June 3, Jamison High School, a procession through campus at 10 a.m.
• June 4, Lemoore High School, a procession through campus beginning 5:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., before the procession and while arriving or waiting in their cars with family members, grads will tune in to the campus radio station (93.3 KGAR) to hear the National Anthem, the school's Alma Mater, welcoming remarks, and speeches from the school's salutatorian and valedictorian.

Lemoore High School Principal Rodney Brumit, in a letter to students, wrote that it was important to continue with the ceremony, albeit in a different form. "To ensure we recognize our seniors and keep our LHS graduation traditions, we have decided to continue with an evening ceremony," he stated in his letter to students and families. "We are honoring the requests of our seniors who have asked to be with their fellow graduates, hear speeches, and take a picture in their cap and gown."

The logistics of the evening is impressive. Seniors and their families will line up on Bush Street, entering the procession at the intersection of D Street and Bush. All other roads leading to the high school will be barricaded to assist with the organization of the event.  

At 6:30 p.m., the procession starts moving on to the campus. School officials are urging students to wear their caps and gowns and be seated in the passenger seat of one of their vehicles. Each grad is allowed two cars so that family members may attend.

Family members are encouraged to decorate their vehicles, celebrating their student's graduation. Only "Class C" regular passenger cars will be allowed in the procession. Party buses, limos, campers, motorhomes, and passenger truck beds are not allowed.

Seniors must also present their completed "Graduation Ticket" mailed to them earlier. The ticket is needed to gain access to the graduation procession, and it must be completed. Brumit said a speaker will use it to announce the graduate when he steps on to the stage. To keep the line moving consistently, grads and their families will line up in alphabetical group order:

Group 1 - ASB & Senior Class President, CSF Life Members, & Last Name A @ 6:00pm

Group 2 - Last Name B - Di at 6:30 p.m. 

Group 3 - Last Name Do - H at 7:00 p.m.

Group 4 - Last Name I - O at 7:30 p.m. 

Group 5 - Last Name P - Z at 8:00 p.m.

School officials are asking that grads and their families arrived with their designated group to minimize the line and wait time. If the graduate has two vehicles in the procession, the second vehicle must be directly behind the graduate's car. 

The Lemoore Police Department will be assisting with the procession to ensure safety.

Brumit, in his letter, emphasized that graduates should dress appropriately and keep their caps and gowns in their original condition for the graduation photo. 

Students will be taking their picture on a stage and are encouraged to wear appropriate shoes. Students may not decorate their caps and may only wear LHS awards/medals, CSF stoles, honor cords, academic decathlon, and medals. 

Officials are also urging students and friends to refrain from loud music, air horns, and sirens, which could detract from seniors' names being heard and recorded. 

To ensure social distancing and the graduation procession moves quickly, only the graduate will be allowed to exit the vehicle. Students will have their pictures taken by a photographer. Parents and others are free to cheer and take video and photos from within the car, which can be taken best from the right passenger's side.

Once the procession ends, the school will set off fireworks, probably about 9:30 p.m. School officials ask that once everyone has exited the school grounds, they find a safe place to view the fireworks off-campus. The school's parking lots will be closed.

On Friday, June 5, a video of the commencement speeches, along with pictures of the graduates, will be shared on Lemoore High School social media pages.