Woonsocket Mayor Calls For High School Graduation 'Ceremony'

WOONSOCKET, RI — Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt is asking for school officials to get creative when it comes to delivering a "meaningful" graduation ceremony for Woonsocket High seniors.

While many schools have canceled their ceremonies, or created plans for elaborate "virtual" ceremonies amid the state's restriction on social gatherings, Mayor Baldelli-Hunt said on Friday that the city should explore more far-reaching proposals — including postponing the graduation to later in the summer when state social gathering rules may be eased, breaking up the class of 2020 into smaller groups for a series of in-person graduations or having a drive-thru graduation ceremony.

"With the easing of some social gathering restrictions, it is time for the Chairman (Paul Bourget) to think creatively and promptly to allow our hardworking students and families to participate in a graduation ceremony," Baldelli-Hunt said.

Gov. Gina Raimondo has discouraged in-person graduations, which could be in violation of state social distancing orders, if they are held anytime in the near future. The limit for social gatherings in public and private locations remains five through the end of phase one of the state's reopening, with Raimondo saying that could rise to 15 as of June 1.

But when repeatedly asked about graduations during her daily news conferences, she said she can not see a way where the state can commit to allowing sufficient gathering limits through the summer to allow for a traditional graduation — even a socially distanced one.

Raimondo said the data will dictate how fast the state moves in increasing its limits, but has previously said the number will remain 50 or less through at least the end of July, and canceled all concerts for the summer. She also discouraged all large weddings until at least August.

"Over the last 10 weeks, students and teachers have worked hard to continue learning remotely, and seniors have really missed out on important milestones like spring sports, prom and class events," she said. "However, in honor of their willingness to move forward and complete their high school education, the school department and city government, if necessary, must now show similar leadership and provide for a celebratory finish line as our students move on to the next stage of their lives.

"As a graduate of WHS and a parent of a former WHS student and graduate, I want to ensure that parents, teachers, and students get to experience a safe and memorable ceremony that may not be traditional as previous graduations, but one that is just as important," she said.