The 2020 Paton-Churdan Senior Class received its day of recognition Saturday afternoon, under unique circumstances.

Due to COVID-19, the 13 graduating seniors were grouped together with their immediate family and spaced six-feet apart from the next graduate and their immediate family inside the school gym in Churdan. Other family members were asked to sit in the bleachers and were also spread apart by a six-foot distance. Attendees were asked to wear masks as well.

Valedictorian Kaleb Fisher was excited to have a graduation ceremony, even though it was delayed until June and there were COVID-19 guidelines that had to be followed.

“I’m really happy that we get to have it because we get to have all of our family come out and celebrate it. Because it is a really important part of growing up, and I know all of the classmates are really happy to have it. I remember we had a Zoom call a couple of months ago and we specified that we would really like to have a ceremony. So we’re really thankful for Mrs. (Annie) Smith and everyone who helped put it together, and we’re glad that we get to have it today.”        

The salutatorian was Madi Minnihan. During the ceremony, a video slideshow featured each of the seniors, followed by receiving their diplomas and Principal Annie Smith declaring them as graduates. 

The event ended with the graduates seated in front of the school building as people drove through sharing congratulatory remarks from their vehicles.