After quite a bit of planning the graduation committee of Lacombe Composite High School has solid plans for 2020 graduates. In May, graduates unanimously voted for a postponed ceremony. Now one has been tentatively planned for November 7th of 2020. 

“We’re planning for a Saturday so grads can come home on the weekend if they’re at school in Alberta. We’re going to combine it with awards night so that grads only have to make one trip back,” said Kim Gillard, Teacher at LCHS and Grad Committee Coordinator. 

Rather than the usual ceremony and banquet at Westerner Park in Red Deer, the graduation will look a bit different than normal. 

“We’ll have the ceremony at Lacombe Comp in the gymnasium. We know it can hold quite a number of people form our Remembrance Day ceremonies. We’ll do it there and webcast it to anyone who is not able to attend in person. We’ll have a reception at the LMC in the evening intended mostly for the graduates and their dates or friends. We’re thinking it will be about five months since they’ve seen each other and they’ll want to celebrate,” explained Gillard. 

With a bit of a smaller venue, there will be less capacity that they will be able to host; however, the teacher anticipates some will not be able to make it as life for many graduates will change drastically in the months to come. 

“We know that everybody is moving out into their adult lives but not everyone will want to or be able to come home. We’ll throw the best party we can for the people who are able to come,” added Gillard. 

Tickets will be limited to two additional guests for every grad but some may be able to invite a couple more.  

“We will open it up so any unsold tickets can go to grads who want to bring more people. We’re hoping that people will come to the ceremony, go out for supper in Lacombe, and support a local business. Then, send their graduates off to the get-together at the LMC,” said Gillard.  

The slogan for this year’s graduates is ‘Our last hurrah,’ which was voted on just before students were sent to learn at home because of COVID-19. 

“Our décor theme is going to be a roaring 20’s art deco sort of look to it. We had a wonderful group of people involved in the grad committee this year. They were just bursting with enthusiasm and ideas and I am really sorry that they didn’t get to plan the grad that they had in mind,” explained Gillard. 

The grad committee did entertain having the ceremony in the Westerner but in an effort to save money and support local businesses they decided it was in their best effort to keep things in Lacombe. 

Whatever happens, Gillard and the grad committee are dedicated to hosting the best graduation celebration they can in whatever circumstances are thrown their way.