Carson City's Pioneer High School to feature 5-part graduation plan to celebrate 2020 seniors

This is a year unprecedented for Carson City students. High school seniors, and our local high schools are getting creative with the ways they seek to honor their graduating students.

Carson High School announced they will host a drive-through graduation that the whole family can enjoy. To learn more about it, read that story here.

This week, Pioneer High School announced a 5-part plan for graduation of their seniors.

“First and foremost, congratulations to the Pioneer High School Class of 2020!” said Pioneer High School Principal Jason Zona in a letter to seniors and families. “This is a significant milestone and we are very proud to recognize this great accomplishment. Most impressive is your ability to show resilience through this pandemic and stay the course to complete your graduation requirements. Well done!”

“Pioneer High School has always kept a safe and secure environment as the number one priority for students,” the letter continues. “Along with hiring the most qualified, talented, and caring staff, we know this to be true by what students have reported to us," he said.

"PHS students have self-reported in state Social and Emotional Learning surveys that they feel safe and secure at a higher rate at Pioneer High School than other schools for several years in a row. During this unprecedented time in history it was important for us to review our student survey data along with the new guidelines for public safety outlined by the governor of Nevada, the CDC, and the Carson City School District," said Zona. "After much consideration of options for our graduation ceremony this year, it was decided that the safest and most responsible format for PHS students would be a five part graduation including a virtual presentation accessible online.”

The first of the five parts will be senior photo billboard displays, which will be shown at the Carson Community Center and Bodines Casino June 1 and 2. Drive by to see!

Part 2 is a Zoom session for staff and students, and the date and time will be released directly to graduating student emails.

Part 3 is the Graduation Item Distribution, including a PHS Senior t-shirt which is available online at the PHS Facebook page here and the senior gift, a senior graduation yard sign/photo, which is gifted by the staff of Pioneer.

Part 4 will be the Graduation Presentation Online. The online graduation presentation will be released through email, school websites, facebook, and to local media.

Graduation Presentation Outline:
- National Anthem: Sung by PHS Student, Kaya Burdett-Wannamaker
- Masters of Ceremony: Daniel Echebarria and Cary Jordan
- PHS Student Speeches: Sydney Miller (Valedictorian), Jazmin Estes, Tara Mahoney, and Charish Creon
- Guest Speakers: Jacky Rosen, Nevada Senator & Richard Stokes, CCSD Superintendent
- Student Recognition & Certification of Graduation: Jason Zona, PHS Principal
- Senior Slide Show and Music: (Online Link TBA) Rebecca Allen, Teacher

The 5th and final part is the 2020 Dedication Ceremony. A special gift from local members of the community and PHS Alumni to the Pioneer Class of 2020 will be presented and released in the media.

“Once we are able to have gatherings, we will hold this gift dedication ceremony on campus in person for graduating seniors and their families at a later date,” said Zona. “Thank you for your support and understanding. We look forward to a time where we can gather together in person to celebrate the accomplishments of our students. We are so proud of the PHS Class of 2020!”

While this is not the way any high school senior envisioned their final year, seniors can take heart knowing that their schools have not forgotten them.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has been an immense challenge, but we know that we can still honor our class of 2020 in a safe, dignified, and professional manner,” said Zona. “Please join us in the celebrations and recognition for PHS graduating seniors.”