Special parade Friday in Prineville honors Crook County HS seniors

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- It’s not your normal graduation ceremony, but Crook County High School seniors are going out in style with a parade this Friday, starting at 3 p.m.

Due to COVID-19 and social-distancing requirements, the typical graduation ceremony held annually outside at Ward Rhoden Stadium is canceled. CCHS staff sprang into action and came up with a number of options for the Class of 2020 to consider. Seniors voted to ride in individual vehicles – such as a pick up or convertible – driven by family, a friend, or volunteers from the community. 

“We wanted to come up with something unique that would be memorable for our seniors and allow parents and the community to celebrate with them given how their last year in high school ended,” explained Principal Michelle Jonas.

The parade route will start on 4^th and 5^th Streets between Hardwood and Deer Streets. It will then move East on 4^th Street through Downtown Prineville and then turn south on Fairview and head to the Crook County Fairgrounds. Seniors will wind through the Fairgrounds and then end at a staging area in front of the high school where staff and school board members will hand out diplomas to each senior.

Unfortunately, no spectators are allowed at the high school and are asked to celebrate seniors along the parade route and respect social distancing by staying in family groups. Only parents or family inside each vehicle are allowed to take pictures when diplomas are handed out. School administrators, staff, and board members at the final staging area will be wearing masks and following social-distancing protocols.

Thanks to many community partners, each senior will have a sign with their picture on 4^th Street and their names will be read aloud by staff and fellow students at two locations: Foundry Four Coffee on 4^th Street and at the corner of 1^st and Fairview Street at the Pioneer Complex. The signs will then be moved to 3^rd Street and left there over the weekend for the community to see. Seniors can take their sign as a memento for the CCHS Class of 2020.

“I’ve been so impressed with the creativity of our high school administrative team and how much care and thought they’ve put into graduation. These seniors deserve a special send off,” said Superintendent Dr. Sara Johnson.

There will also be a virtual graduation ceremony made available via YouTube and social media channels starting at 6:30pm Friday night. This is an event that was pre-recorded in the high school auditorium and includes most of what you’d see at a typical graduation – including speeches, reading of names, music, and words of encouragement from teachers and staff.

Family and friends who can’t attend the parade or who live out of town can watch live on the school district’s YouTube and Facebook pages. A link to YouTube and information about graduation can be accessed here on the school district’s website: http://crookcounty.k12.or.us/graduation-2020/

The Parade, the Virtual Graduation, and the Senior Awards – which was released Tuesday, June 2^nd – will all be made available for public viewing on the Crook County School District YouTube page.

Community Partners who’ve helped make possible the CCHS Senior Parade and Senior Signs:

• Crook County School District
• Crook County High School
• Crook County Parks & Recreation District
• Crook County Fairgrounds
• Parr Lumber
• Tightwads Discount Building Supply
• Connell Custom Graphics
• Prineville Kiwanis
• City of Prineville
• Prineville Police Department
• Judge Seth Crawford