Fox Chapel Area to host in-person graduation ceremony
May 28—Fox Chapel Area School District is marching forward with plans for in-person graduation ceremonies where participants and guests will be required to wear a mask — even those who are fully vaccinated against covid-19.
Jill Leonard, district community engagement manager, said face coverings fall in line with requirements set by Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, where about 330 graduating seniors are expected to receive their diplomas on June 6.
The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. at the historic landmark at 4141 Fifth Street in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood.
Graduates will each receive four tickets for the ceremony, Leonard said.
An extra ticket lottery was conducted at school for seniors seeking extra tickets.
As covid-19 cases dip in Allegheny County to an average of 95 per day, more school districts are moving ahead with plans for in-person, year-end milestones.
Quaker Valley announced this week that seniors will be able to celebrate their graduation together at Chuck Knox Stadium on June 10.
About 157 students are expected to graduate.
Like at Fox Chapel Area, students and guests will be required to wear masks that cover the mouth and nose.
Earlier this week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that Pennsylvanians will be able to ditch the masks by June 28, if not earlier.
Wolf set a benchmark for the state that 70% of adults be fully vaccinated before he lifts the mask mandate. If the state reaches that threshold before June 28, masks will no longer be required.
In Allegheny County, 741,241 people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to Health Department data.
Nearly 543,000 people are fully vaccinated.
Last year, Fox Chapel Area officials were forced to alter graduation plans because covid-19 cases were climbing.
Instead, seniors collected their diplomas during an individual recognition event at the high school where they could drive through to hear their name announced and take photos with their family.
A virtual ceremony also took place.
Leonard said that this year, family and friends can tune in to the Swift Fox Media YouTube channel for a livestream of the ceremony. A recording will also be posted to the channel afterward.
Tawnya Panizzi is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tawnya at 724-226-7726, tpanizzi@triblive.com or via Twitter .
