ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. – Concord High School is planning an in-person commencement ceremony for its Class of 2020 while waiting for official word from the University of Notre Dame on May 15. The school has been planning the event for several weeks.

If allowed by Notre Dame officials, the in-person event will be held on Monday, June 8, which was the previously scheduled graduation date.

Alternatively, if a July date is given the okay, the commencement would take place Monday, July 20.

If officials decide in-person ceremonies are prohibited, a virtual ceremony will be held Monday, June 22.

A committee of seniors, parents, and high school faculty began meeting in late April to discuss the options for the event.

“This unique situation requires us to think creatively about how to honor seniors and with the help of our Class of 2020 Commencement Contingency Planning Committee, we’ve done just that,” said Dr. Lisa Kendall, Concord High School Principal. “As always, the safety and well-being of our students is of utmost importance.”

The school is also organizing a Senior Virtual Walk Day for May 18 in case the in-person event is not allowed.

The Virtual Walk event would allow seniors and five family members to walk across a graduation stage and pose for a photo wearing their cap and gown, as well as to record video.

“Although we recognize that there is still a possibility that our seniors will not be able to come together as a class, we want students to have the opportunity to walk across the graduation stage to celebrate the milestone of years of educational success,” said Dr. Kendall. “The Senior Virtual Walk Day is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of each student and their family.”