Wait to walk is over for RCHS Class of 2020
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The much-anticipated, in-person graduation ceremony for the Rogers City High School Class of 2020. It will be Sunday on the football field at Gilpin Memorial Field starting at 2:30 p.m. There are 52 members of the class, who have not actually been in a classroom since March 13. Among the graduates are 22 students receiving their diplomas with honors.
Superintendent Nick Hein made the announcement about when and where the commencement exercise is going to be, June 8, after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allowed gatherings of a maximum of 500 people.
Each student has already received eight tickets to hand out to family and friends. There will be areas marked with circles on the field with six folding chairs in each section.
Other should bring their own lawn chairs. Presque Isle County sheriff Joe Brewbaker and city resource officer Matt Bisson will be at the gate starting noon, collecting tickets. Hein said the seniors will go through a rehearsal, but it appears the podium will be set up in the bleachers; however, it could change.
“We’ve neve
The school’s superintendent/secondary principal may get his wish because a glimpse at Sunday’s early forecast showed slightly cooler temperatures and no sign of threatening weather.
“We just ask that people be respectful, minding each other’s space during this time,” said Hein. Hein believes if this simple request is followed, “I don’t believe there will be any problems.”
Christina Andrews was named valedictorian and Madison Tulgestka salutatorian of the class before the novel coronavirus closed Michigan schools. Andrews compiled a grade point average (GPA) of 3.9854 to earn the coveted top spot while Tulgestka was just a few percentage points behind with a 3.9615, and will hold the position of second in her class. The entire class will hold its position in history as the ones that had to wait to walk to walk. The moment has finally arrived.