Po-Hi Commencement Ceremony Slated for June 26

The Ponca City High School commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 will be held on Friday, June 26 at Sullins Stadium. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. A live feed of the graduation will be provided via social media, and details to access the ceremony will be announced closer to the date of the graduation ceremony, according to Mary Ladd, PCPS Public Information Coordinator.

The graduates will be addressed by Lindsay Hollis, who is ranked number one in the class; Lanie Varner, who is ranked number two in the class and is the Po-Hi Student Council President; and Audrey Caughlin, who is ranked number three in the class.

The graduates of the Class of 2020 include many students who have received national, state, and local awards. Among this class, many have been admitted to a diverse range of colleges and universities across the state and nation, several have decided to further their education and career in the military, and many will join the workforce upon graduation.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer our seniors the opportunity to graduate together under the current, unprecedented circumstances.   Overwhelmingly, the class desired to graduate as one group of friends,” stated Superintendent Shelley Arrott.

Additional precautions are planned for the safety of graduates and guests. Only graduates will be permitted to enter the north ‘visitor’ gate. Graduates will be seated in the ‘visitor’ stands at 7:00 p.m. and will be distanced six feet apart, both horizontally and vertically.   The students will form a procession to enter their appropriately distanced seating on the football field.

Guests will be allowed to enter Sullins Stadium at the east and west gates at 6:45 p.m., and each guest must have a separate ticket for admission. Seats will be marked, in groups of two, to appropriately social distance. To further allow for appropriate distancing and for the safety of everyone, there will be no reserved seating or guests allowed on the field after the ceremony.   However, a professional photographer will be taking photos of seniors during the ceremony, and website ordering instructions for the photographs will be provided to graduates.

On June 9, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., graduates will have the opportunity to pick-up his/her diploma, four guest tickets for the commencement ceremony, and instructions for commencement. The pick-up will be a drive-through process at the west entrance of Ponca City High School. Diplomas must be picked-up by the graduate. This information will also be provided to graduates and their parent/guardian through social media and the Remind app administrators are using to keep in contact with seniors. For questions about diploma/ticket pick-up, please call 580-767-9500.

In the event inclement weather interferes with the outdoor ceremony, the commencement ceremony will be held in the Concert Hall, June 26 at 8:00 p.m. If the indoor venue is utilized for inclement weather, only seniors will participate in the ceremony to ensure the safety of those involved in the ceremony without access to open air.   However, the ceremony will be broadcast through a live feed so all may witness the event.   We are hopeful the weather cooperates, but if it does not, these options will still allow for the ceremony to honor the legacy and accomplishments of the Po-Hi Seniors of 2020.