TAMPA, Fla. — High school seniors in Hillsborough County will be able to show off their cap and gown this spring.
Superintendent Addison Davis says graduation ceremonies will be held in person this year at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Seniors will be able to bring two guests each.
Davis made the announcement at a school board meeting on Tuesday, March 9. He says dates for the ceremonies will start May 24 and go through June 3.
It's news senior Zoe Sleeter was glad to hear Wednesday morning.
“I think it’s really important. It’s like the last thing that you do as a high school student. That’s like, kind of like the end of an era because you’re in high school for four years and that’s kind of like the ceremonial ending," she said.
Sleeter sees the ability to graduate in person as a bit of a return to normal for students, especially as they move on to college.
“A lot of my friends are e-learners and I haven’t seen them since before COVID hit in person. So it would be nice to actually see them again and it will feel normal instead of just every now and then getting a text or a Snapchat or whatever. To actually see them in person is completely different from the phone or the computer," she added.
If you can't make it, school district leaders say the ceremonies will be streamed online as well.
Last year, Hillsborough County Schools held virtual graduation ceremonies for its students because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school district first tried to postpone 2020 graduations but climbing coronavirus cases in the area forced them to go virtual.
So far, only Pasco and Polk County schools have also announced in-person graduation ceremonies this year.
- Third stimulus check update: House set to pass COVID bill with $1,400 payments today
- Texts show Manatee County leader, developer discuss how vaccine pop-up site could help Gov. DeSantis
- Biden's first 50 days: Where he stands on key promises
- Fallen Tampa officer veered cruiser into path of wrong-way driver to keep others safe, chief says
- Confusion at FEMA vaccine site leads to people who thought they were eligible being turned away
►Breaking news and weather alerts: Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter