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Class of 2020 Commencement

Dear Class of 2020 and Parents,

Thank you for your patience as we tweak our plans for commencement. On July 7, the Shelby County Health Department issued its Directive No. 8, which required a reevaluation of our graduation weekend. We have confirmed with the Health Department that we are allowed to hold an outdoor graduation ceremony with limited attendance, but our plans for Friday have changed. The new plan can be found below.

For all events, masks are required for everyone in attendance and social distancing will be strictly enforced.

Friday, July 24
Caps, gowns, and regalia will be available for pick up at school from 8:00-4:00. Students will also receive a gift from Campus Ministry and their Harding blanket from the athletic department, if applicable.
Students will receive written instructions about the graduation ceremony.
Saturday, July 25
Please use this day as an opportunity to take photographs with family members, as caps and gowns will be turned in immediately after the ceremony on Sunday.
Sunday, July 26
We will proceed with our previously stated plan. Due to Health Department restrictions, only parents and siblings may attend.
• 5:00 pm Gates open
• Students to the Senior Courtyard
• Parents and siblings to the football stadium
• 6:00 pm Ceremony begins
• 7:00 pm Families meet on student’s assigned yard line

Harding Academy dearly loves the Class of 2020. We are saddened that the entire school community will not be able to be present to send these students off to their next phase of life. However, we are confident that, regardless of what their graduation ceremony looks like, God loves them and will be with them always.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Sincerely,
Shana Efaw
Upper School Principal