Knightdale High School celebrates Class of 2020 with staggered ceremonies

Knightdale High School will host a series of intimate in-person graduation ceremonies this week for the Class of 2020.

Posted 8:46 a.m. May 26, 2020 — Updated 10:43 a.m. May 26, 2020

Nia Harden

, WRAL reporter

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. — Knightdale High School will host a series of intimate in-person graduation ceremonies this week for the Class of 2020.

Starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, groups of seniors dressed in full regalia will be able to walk across the stage in what the school calls a modified ceremony.

'Kind of frustrating:' Principals will decide if, when Wake Class of 2020 gets in-person graduation

Only one family will be allowed in the auditorium at a time, and each student is allowed to bring up to eight guests. Everyone must wear masks.

The school has staggered the diploma distributions over the next couple days between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students who choose not to attend can participate in a virtual graduation set for June 9.

On Friday, the Wake County Public School System announced principals at each school can host in-person ceremonies and it will be up to them to decide what their celebrations will look like.

The celebrations must follow social distancing guidelines.

"We know that we will never be able to replace all that our seniors have lost," said Keith Sutton, chairman of the Wake County Board of Education. "The legacy of the class of 2020 is so much more than crossing a stage or turning a tassel."