GRADUATION

The ceremony was exclusively for UCF’s 2020 graduates from the spring, summer and fall semesters.

More and more students are taking advantage of the opportunity to graduate high school early, mostly a semester early in December or January.

A Florida high school principal spent the last several months of the school year crafting personalized notes for each of the 459 graduates.

Members of the Class of 2021 in Marion County Public Schools will receive either six, eight or 10 graduation tickets based on class size and capacity limits of graduation venues.

UPDATE: Seminole County school officials have moved all 2021 graduations to UCF’s football stadiums, meaning the dates and times below may no longer apply. SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County Public Schools announced graduation dates for the class of 2021 Friday. “As we get closer to the date, if CDC and local guidelines prohibit large gatherings, we will schedule an alternate date for a socially distanced ceremony on our campuses,” a Seminole County Public Schools official said in a news release. [TRENDING: Gov: Vaccine coming to Florida ‘relatively soon’ | CDC: Avoid Thanksgiving travel | Georgia presidential race recount results]Below are the dates, times and locations for the class of 2021. AdTuesday, May 18, 2021Hagerty High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFLake Howell High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFWednesday, May 19, 2021Oviedo High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFLyman High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFTuesday, May 25, 2021Lake Brantley High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFWinter Springs High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFWednesday, May 26, 2021Lake Mary High School, 9:00 a.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFSeminole High School, 2:00 p.m., at Addition Financial Arena at UCFThursday, May 27, 2021Crooms AOIT, 1:00 p.m., at Crooms AOIT

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Orange County Public Schools are planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at the Amway Center. The announcement comes after OCPS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Jenkins spoke with health officials. The school will also have a backup plan in place in the event that the Amway Center isn’t able to accommodate the dates needed. Ad“All of the graduations will happen in person with face masks at the Amway -- that’s where OCPS has the capacity and permission to have it there,” Jenkins added. School officials have not announced graduation dates yet, although school officials say the dates have already been booked.

A graduation to rememberPublished: August 23, 2020, 11:25 amA high school set up for a graduation unlike any other. Then on a sidewalk outside a home, the ceremony began.

COCOA BEACH, Fla. Seniors with the Class of 2020 at Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High School celebrated their graduation during a socially distant ceremony Saturday morning. Almost two months after the school year ended, the seniors finally got their moment to celebrate all of their accomplishments. The ceremony featured pre-recorded speeches from six valedictorians and in-person bridge crossings.The students reflected on the year. Valedictorian Declan Ridgeway called it an emotional roller coaster and said the COVID-19 pandemic robbed them of their senior memories. Valedictorian Christina Tomacari reflected on how like the pandemic, life after graduation will have its challenges.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Parents and students are gearing up for graduation this week with dress rehearsals. New Smyrna Beach High School had its graduation rehearsal Tuesday afternoon. News 6 was not allowed inside while students practiced but 18-year-old Chelsea Lewis shared her thoughts about this year's graduation. “We wanted to give our graduating students the most special graduation we can give them under these circumstances,” said Berrio. The school district will also be live-streaming the graduations which start on Thursday.

MIAMI – The principal of a private Catholic high school tested positive for COVID-19 days after participating in a graduation ceremony at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, school officials said. Christopher Columbus High School Principal David Pugh tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, spokeswoman Cristina Cruz told the Miami Herald. “Although he does not have any symptoms now, he may have had the virus on Saturday during the graduation ceremony at the raceway,” Cruz told the Herald in an email. The all-boys high school hosted graduation at the racetrack as a way of providing 2020 graduates with an in-person but socially distanced ceremony. The school was closed on Wednesday and will be sanitized over the next few days before reopening on Monday, Cruz said.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – One person was killed and another seriously wounded in a shooting that took place late Saturday where a number of teens turned out for a graduation party in Rockledge, police reported. Sometime around 11:30 p.m. things went way south and they had a shooting,” Seyferth said. Police said CPR was used in an attempt to revive one of the shooting victims. Friday, Brevard County sheriff’s deputies were called to a shooting that left one man dead on Friday in Central Brevard County west of Cocoa. The investigation into the Rockledge shooting is ongoing.

Instead, they’ll be driving across the finish line at the Daytona International Speedway to pick up their degrees. “We’re honored to have the graduates of Matanzas, Flagler-Palm Coast, and First Baptist Christian Academy, along with their families, with us on what will be a very special day at Daytona International Speedway,” said track President Chip Wile. “We are very grateful that Daytona International Speedway was kind enough to include our graduating Seniors in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said FBCA Headmaster Dr. Jason Harrison. “When presented with the offer from Daytona International Speedway, the soon-to-be graduates were excited at the prospect of taking a ‘victory lap’ as they end this chapter of their lives. "I'm really excited to start the next chapter of my life and I'm happy we're doing something," Mercarter said.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – The Lake County Public School District announced Friday afternoon that graduations would return to traditional processions following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to reopen all youth activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The district had planned to host graduation ceremonies that would have kept spectators in their cars while graduates walked across a stage in their caps and gowns to receive diplomas and have their photos taken, but has since recalled that decision. DeSantis is allowing local communities to decide how to handle high school graduation ceremonies,” said County Commission Chairman Leslie Campione. Leaders also said the district will maintain its plan to livestream the ceremonies so that physically compromised family members can watch from the safety of their homes.

It isn’t always easy to budget for graduation gifts, especially amid the pandemic and with other holidays that fall during the same season. Here are 10 all for $50 or less that we think the graduate in your life will enjoy. Put together a gift set that includes a laundry basket, detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets and a roll of quarters. Coffee makerA coffee maker is the perfect gift for a recent grad who regularly needs a caffeine boost as part of the morning routine. First aid kitRest easy by giving the gift of safety to your graduate.

Plan a little watch party for your son or daughter to enjoy the Facebook graduation. Facebook is celebrating the class of 2020 with a whole week of graduation features, and a commencement program. Highlights and more will be posted to the @instagram account on Instagram, and on contributors’ social media accounts.”Grads are encouraged to host their own virtual graduation ceremony and party via Facebook, with special features including a virtual graduation hub, custom filters, family and friends celebrations enabled by Messenger Rooms, and more. JoAnn Fabric has a whole webpage on how you can make a graduation cap embellishment out of paper flowers. This is a birthday party and not a graduation, but you’ll see the general idea!

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Graduates throughout the country are approaching the finish line as they work to finish out their senior year from home. For students everywhere, graduating from high school symbolizes the end of a generation and the beginning of the next step in higher education. Seniors in Flagler County will surely see the finish line as they are handed their diplomas while riding across the iconic black-and-white checkered start/finish line inside Daytona International Speedway. We are honored to host these graduates and their families for this special occasion,” Chip Wile, President of Daytona International Speedway said. The “World Center of Racing” will play host to both Flagler County high school graduations on May 31.

President Trump is expressing his well-wishes to seniors who had quite a different kind of school year, thanks in part to the coronavirus outbreak. Seniors around the world have had to miss out on high school milestones such as prom, graduation and other exciting events. Early Friday morning, the President sent out his letter to all 2020 graduates who have experienced a senior year like no other student before them. Over the past weeks and months, you, your classmates, teachers and administrators, and our Nation have experienced times of uncertainty and adversity. Your leadership will be essential in the days and weeks to come in helping your fellow Americans recover from this hardship.

SANFORD, Fla. – Seminole State College is hosting a virtual commencement ceremony to give family and friends the opportunity to safely celebrate a graduate’s achievement. “Our graduates are to be congratulated for their perseverance and for overcoming challenges to complete their degree or certificate,” Seminole State College President Dr. Georgia Lorenz said in a news release. https://t.co/4M45qfVFAZ #SSC #GoStateGoFar pic.twitter.com/ZLGTLwVIFA — Seminole State College (@SeminoleState) April 28, 2020In an effort to keep the tradition, the virtual graduation ceremony will have a keynote address by Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Chris Anderson and a faculty challenge from Professor of Communication Laura Dickinson. The ceremony will also include video remarks from Dr. Lorenz and Seminole State Board of Trustees Chairman Scott Howat. The full details of the virtual ceremony are still being finalized, according to the college.

DeLAND, Fla. – Volusia County Schools announced backup dates for graduation ceremonies and rehearsals due to the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement, school officials said the new dates for graduation will be during the week of July 9 with rehearsals beginning July 6. The list of school graduation ceremonies for all 10 Volusia County high schools, including dates and times is below:School Date TimeTaylor July 9 8:30 a.m. DeLand July 9 12:30 p.m. Mainland July 9 4:30 p.m. Seabreeze July 9 7:30 p.m. Atlantic July 10 8:30 a.m. Spruce Creek July 10 12:30 p.m. New Smyrna July 10 4:30 p.m. Pine Ridge July 11 8:30 a.m. Deltona July 11 12:30 p.m. University July 11 4:30 p.m.Seminole and Osceola counties have made similar announcements. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Due to the high concern of spreading the coronavirus, many high schoolers have missed out on milestone moments like prom and other group activities. The Osceola School District​ hopes to be able to honor its 2020 graduates as originally planned on May 21 through May 29. If social distancing rules have been lifted, graduation ceremonies will be as followed:Location: Osceola School for the ArtsThursday, May 21 – Osceola Technical College (oTECH) and Adult Learning Center Osceola (ALCO) at 6:00 p.m.Friday, May 22 – Zenith and Osceola Virtual School at 6:00 p.m.Tuesday, May 26 – Osceola County School for the Arts at 6:00 p.m. Location: Osceola Heritage ParkWednesday, May 27 – Poinciana High at 9:30 a.m.Wednesday, May 27 – Harmony High at 1:30 p.m.Wednesday, May 27 – Osceola High at 6:00 p.m.Thursday, May 28 – Tohopekaliga High at 9:30 a.m.Thursday, May 28 – Liberty High at 1:30 p.m.Thursday, May 28 – St. Cloud High at 6:00 p.m.Friday, May 29 – Celebration High at 9:30 a.m.Friday, May 29 – Gateway High at 1:30 p.m.Friday, May 29 – Professional And Technical High (PATHS) at 6:00 p.m.

As concerns over the coronavirus cause many events and important milestones to be canceled, UCF is taking aim at modifying their traditional graduation ceremony. The university said Wednesday, officials are exploring other methods of celebrating graduation by attempting to organize a virtual commencement ceremony. It was not immediately clear when students would be notified of any virtual commencement details. More information on that will come later,” a UCF spokesperson said. In this update you will find new information on semester grading, student support services, commencement, housing refunds and meal refunds 👇https://t.co/WQM24BcuuY — UCF (@UCF) March 25, 2020UCF is joining all other universities in the state of Florida in canceling in-person spring commencement ceremonies.