OCHS makes plans to honor seniors

Last week Ohio County High School announced plans to provide seniors with the opportunity to participate in the rites of passage so often associated with one’s final year of high school by setting a date for an official graduation ceremony and prom as well as other annual senior celebrations.

However, due to a conflict with the original date, the date for the graduation ceremony has now been moved to Aug. 9 at 2 p.m. Prom will still be held on the date announced last week, Aug. 6. Tickets will be sold at the door.

Seniors who have not picked up their graduation materials can get them at the school Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Josten’s will be sending new insert cards to the high school with the new graduation date.

Many high schools throughout Kentucky have been trying to come up with ways to honor the members of their 2020 senior classes who were denied the opportunity to compete in spring sports this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio County High School has chosen to honor its 2020 “spring sports” seniors with a parade set for this Saturday, May 2.

According to a message issued by OCHS Principal Robby Asberry, the parade will begin at noon Saturday, starting at the Beaver Dam City Park and traveling through Beaver Dam, past OCHS, and “go all the way through downtown Hartford.” Those wishing to participate in the parade are asked to be at the park by at least 11:30 AM on Saturday to get organized.

According to Asberry, the parade is to include “only senior athletes of spring sports and their families…We understand this will never replace the season they have lost. We want to honor these seniors and show them our appreciation for their dedication, hard work and sacrifice over the past four years in their respective sports.”

“We would like for the athletes to make posters, flags, or decorate their trucks/cars/trailers any way they choose,” Asberry wrote. “Social Distancing guidelines will be enforced, so players need to only be in a vehicle with immediate family…Coaches and their families are encouraged to participate…The local police departments, fire departments, and other officials will be participating in the parade as well. Go Eagles!”

Seniors will also be honored with tribute videos. These videos will be made available on the original graduation date of May 15 at 6 p.m. on the school’s website.

For the senior slide show, seniors are asked to e-mail to Asberry, robert.asberry@ohio.kyschools.us, a baby photo, an elementary school-age photo, a middle or high school age photo and a 20-second video of themselves in cap and gown.

In the video, the student is asked to say their name as well as a message to their family, friends, classmates or teachers.

There will also be an end of the school year graduation tribute and a Spring Sports Senior Day Tribute. Senior spring sports athletes are asked to send Asberry or their coach four to five pictures of them playing their sport as well as a senior day speech voice recording. These usually thank the people that have played a big role in the athletes lives, share their favorite memories and give words of encouragement to their teammates.