City partners with 6 schools to plan in-person graduation ceremonies this year

SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — The city of South Fulton has partnered with six Fulton County schools to host in-person graduation ceremonies this year.

In-person ceremonies disappeared last year for most students in wake of the pandemic. In an effort to bring things back to “normal”, some schools are planning more traditional graduation ceremonies for their students.

The possibility of having an actual graduation ceremony is something that is welcomed by students like Westlake High School senior Celeste Giddens.

“We didn’t have a prom, we didn’t have senior events and stuff because COVID is a still thing, and we just couldn’t get it together. So graduation is one of the only things we get, so its really exciting,” Giddens said.

The graduations are going to be held at the Wolfcreek Amphitheater in the city of South Fulton.

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The large open air venue is perfect and adheres to the recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for outdoor events released this week.

It provides lots of space for families to properly social distance while celebrating the accomplishment of their students. There will be limited attendance for safety reasons, but a livestream will be provided for those not in attendance.

“We’ve got this planned with social distancing for about 500,” said Tony Phillips, director of Parks and Recreation for the city of South Fulton.

The events are planned over three days, with plenty of room for families to social distance from each other.

Students like Giddens are happy that at least graduation will be salvaged from a senior year shadowed by a pandemic.

“Four years in high school – that’s a monumental moment and graduation is a big thing,” Giddens said.

Fulton County shifting efforts to bring COVID-19 vaccines to neighborhoods where people are hesitant One of Fulton County’s mobile COVID-19 vaccinations units set up shop Wednesday at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.

Cox Media Group