WEST FRANKFORT (WSIL) -- Dozens of high school seniors are celebrated by school staff, family and friends.
Around 80 seniors were recognized for their accomplishments on Saturday at the school's commencement ceremony.
The event was held at the Outlet Mall parking lot with loved ones mostly remaining in their cars. Others were able to sit outside in chairs six-feet apart.
To further keep with social distancing guidelines, graduating seniors also sat in chairs six-feet apart.
The ceremony started with a prayer and the high school band playing the Star Spangled Banner.
Next, students were able to walk across the stage individually and receive their diplomas.
Senior Connor Eaton says he's happy the school was able to pull off the commencement in a safe manner.
"I'm excited about it, actually being able to walk across the stage and receive a diploma is kind of exciting rather than just them mailing it to you like I originally thought was going to happen," he explains. "But I think we're all excited and happy for this day, it's finally come."
Other graduates like Cole Andres believe the ceremony was the perfect way to send seniors off onto the next chapter of their lives.
"This year kind of ended on a footnote because of this pandemic, but we're all very excited for each other's lives so we're really good," Andres adds.
After the seniors finished taking to the stage, a junior high ceremony took place with more than 100 8th graders being recognized for their hard work.
