In-Person Lakewood High School Graduation Plans Announced

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Lakewood High School will hold an in-person graduation ceremony on July 7 at FirstEnergy Park, the home of the Lakewood BlueClaws.

The school district announced the plans for the live graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

The announcement comes in response to Gov. Phil Murphy's approval of in-person graduations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Murphy initially said they would be allowed in early May, but it wasn't until May 28 when he announced public gatherings would increase to 500 people as of July 3 that in-person celebrations became viable.

Other districts have held virtual graduations in the meantime, many with plans for in-person celebrations next month. Lakewood has not taken that path, primarily because so many of the district's families do not have internet access.

Superintendent Laura Winters said the ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. on July 7 at the stadium. Each student will receive four tickets and there will be assigned seating, with social distancing measures in place.

Students will be seated on the field, 6 feet apart, and will appear on the Jumbo Teletron screen that sits in center field.

The event will be livestreamed on the school district's website, www.lakewoodpiners.org.

"I would like to thank Rob DeSimone, director of security, for working tirelessly on securing the venue for our students!" Winters said.

Winters and school district attorney Michael Inzelbuch said DeSimone worked with Police Chief Gregory Meyer, Lt. LeRoy Marshall, and Officer Alex Guzman to make the arrangements.

Inzelbuch also praised state Sen. Robert Singer for his assistance.

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