Big shout out to Wayne County High Schools’ grads and school administrators for being creative in these unusual times!
2020 has been…a challenge. The typical events we take for granted were postponed, if not canceled entirely. Kids looking forward to the last semester of their senior year were thrown into a virtual world and plans for graduation – caps, and gowns, handshakes and hugs, and crowded auditoriums – changed radically.
In resilient Wayne County fashion, educators and parents decided to create new traditions to safely celebrate this important milestone and tell our students how proud we are of them. We’re posting what we could find in our local schools so that you can enjoy this virtual parade of graduates. *Cue the “Pomp and Circumstance.”*
Centerville High School
Centerville decided to walk each student across the stage one at a time to maintain social distancing but keep the day special. As each student was announced, the family and other students could hear the announcement over the loudspeaker. It was also recorded and sent to families along with a slideshow about students’ future plans. After the ceremony, they hosted a Senior Parade. Students drove a planned parade route through the county as residents celebrated their achievements. There was a sign downtown and a billboard near Gilman’s.
Nettle Creek High School
Nettle Creek will be hosting their graduation on July 26, 2020. We’re eager to see how they make the day special.
Northeastern High School
Northeastern will be celebrating on July 24th, 2020. The school provided yard signs and delivered them to each senior’s house. They also put a banner up at the school.
Richmond High School
The Richmond graduation took place in the high school’s Civic Hall Performing Arts Center. Each family reported at a scheduled time for individual presentation of their student’s diploma. The school also recorded the ceremony and WCTV did a broadcast of it. If you missed it, you can see it here.

Western Wayne High School
Western Wayne hosted a virtual graduation for its students and they’re working on a more traditional ceremony in July. You can view the virtual celebration here.
We’re so proud of all of our Wayne County graduates and the strength, courage, and poise with which they’ve weathered this pandemic and the changes to their special day. We wish you all success and happiness!
We end this article with a THANK YOU to the teachers and administrative staff of Wayne County High Schools. Your hard work to ensure the students receive their graduation has not gone unnoticed.
Curious to see how our college graduates stacked up? Check out our handy infographic here.
To learn more about Forward Wayne County visit our Overview page.