OHS unveils plans for commencement, prom

Ozaukee High School is moving forward with plans to hold an in-person commencement exercise and a prom in the coming weeks, but with some restrictions in place due to concerns with the coronavirus.

The graduation ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26, on the football field in Fredonia, while the prom will be held from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at The Barn at Buechler Farms in Belgium. 

“Our prom and graduation are the two ‘rites of passage’ traditions that we have a desire to honor this summer,” OHS Principal Mike Leach said in an announcement.

Everyone attending the graduation ceremony or prom will be required to sign a waiver of liability due to the virus and submit it by Wednesday, July 22, according to the announcement.

A link to the waivers can be found online at www.smore.com/r79cf.

Several precautions are being made “in the interest of safety,” Leach said.

Parking for those whose last name begins with A to K are to park in the middle school lot on the north side of the campus. Those whose last name ends in L to Z are asked to park in the high school lot on the south end of the campus.

Parking will be designated close to the field for senior citizens and handicapped persons. Those wishing to use those spaces are asked to notify the school district.

Social distancing will be implemented for students and family clusters of up to 10 people. Masks are encouraged to be worn. Those with groups larger than 10 are asked to email Leach at mleach@nosd.edu.

Students will cross the stage, and a photo will be taken as they receive their diplomas. No one will be allowed to approach the stage to take pictures.

A slide show of students during their academic careers will play during the ceremony and be shared after the event.

Some of the precautions were made in response to a survey taken in late May and after consulting with local health officials, Leach said.

The theme of the prom is “The Roaring Twenties.” There will be a dance and grand march. 

A dinner will be provided for Class of 2021 students.

Guests from outside the school will have to fill out a guest form at www.smore.com/r79cf and have it approved before a ticket can be purchased. 

There will not be a school-sanctioned post-prom event.

Prom tickets will be sold online through e-Funds starting Wednesday, July 15. The cost is $20 per student for the dance only.  Dinner-and-dance tickets for the class of 2021 are $40 per student.

Couples on the prom court are Cami Miller and Nate Rauch, Amy Hoffmann and Brandon Harbison, Kayla Hamm and Noah Miller, Ally Clark and Jaysen Delleree, Kelley Large and Simon Bares, and Amanda Dieringer and Cael Large.

The masters of ceremony will be Shelby Capp and Caden Erickson.