COPPERAS COVE, Texas — As school districts across Central Texas struggle to determine the best way to honor the 2020 high school graduating class, Copperas Cove ISD is moving forward with plans to hold in-person graduation with limited family in attendance.
On May 22, Crossroads High School seniors walked across the stage to celebrate their graduation.
Students were unsure if they would have an in-person graduation until they received a text outlining the school's plan, senior Makayla Goudy said.
Under that plan, students would park in the Copperas Cove High School parking lot with up to six members of their family until they were directed inside.
Students entered the auditorium one at a time to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Once they walked across the stage they left alongside their family as the next graduate entered.
"Honestly, I think it's amazing. I didn't even think I was gonna walk," Goudy said.
CCISD streamed the graduation ceremony on Facebook Live so extended family and friends could celebrate the graduates without the risk of spreading the virus.
Goudy said even though she was not able to take part in a 'typical' graduation, she is thankful for the chance to walk across the stage and finish her high school career in person.
"It's already hard enough for family to come together as the pandemic is happening," she said. "So it's amazing to see your family, and not just that your peers families, and to graduate with your peers."
Makayla's mom, Katria Goudy, was thankful for the chance to see her daughter cross the stage and to share in the important milestone.
"Everybody didn't get the chance to do this," she said. "So we don't take it for granted."
All Copperas Cove ISD students will get the chance to walk across the stage in similar fashion.
Copperas Cove High School graduation will be spread over three days in the next week, with students graduating from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Those ceremonies will also be streamed on the CCISD Facebook page.
