Seymour High School is moving forward with plans to have traditional end-of-year activities, including prom and graduation.
The Jackson County Health Department recently approved the school’s event plan for its prom, which will be from 8 to 11 p.m. May 28 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown. The theme is Garden Gala. May 28 also is the last day of school.
Last year’s prom was canceled and graduation consisted of a parade of students in vehicles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Principal Greg Prange said he is glad to see things getting back to normal so seniors can enjoy their last days of high school.
“We were very concerned a few weeks ago when our COVID numbers were trending up again,” Prange said. “We were worried that we would have to restrict attendance.”
Originally, prom was scheduled for April 30, but the health department asked school officials to move the date back later in the year.
“I’m glad we moved it,” Prange said.
The time of the event also was moved up.
“We’re ending at 11 p.m. so students do not have to rush so much if they are going to the after-prom,” he said.
A total of 500 tickets will be made available. Seniors will get first priority, followed by juniors.
If any tickets remain, they can be purchased for guests who do not attend SHS.
Tickets are $20 and go on sale Monday in the high school media center.
Prange said he isn’t worried about running out of tickets.
“Two years ago, we sold 500 tickets to the prom,” he said.
That event was held at Celebrations at Shops of Seymour. Pewter Hall is a bigger venue, and the school has rented a tent to add more square footage to give students more room to spread out.
Prange doesn’t expect students to observe social distancing at a dance, but there are other safety measures that will be in place, he said.
School nurses will be checking temperatures of students before they are allowed inside. Also, face masks are required and may only be removed for eating, drinking and pictures.
Hand sanitizer will be made available throughout the venue.
Adult chaperones, including school administrators, personnel and other volunteers, also will be required to wear masks.
Four school resource officers will be on duty to provide extra supervision and security.
Prange said although prom is a school-sponsored event, it is still voluntary, so students and their families can make the decision for their health and safety.
“No one has to attend the prom,” he said.
Graduation is different because it is a public event hosted on school property, but barring any sudden increases in the county’s COVID numbers, Prange said it will be a traditional ceremony in the school gymnasium this year.
The ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. June 6. Families will be asked to sit together and keep some distance between other families.
Everyone will be required to wear a mask at all times while inside the gym. Graduating students are allowed to remove their masks for photos while they are on the stage. After the ceremony, graduates and their families may meet outside, at which time they can remove their masks for photo opportunities.
For students who do not feel comfortable attending or for family members who are unable to make it to the ceremony, it will be livestreamed on the school ’s website at shs.scsc.k12.in.us, Prange said.
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Seymour High School prom
8 to 11 p.m. May 28 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown
Tickets are $20 and go on sale in the school media center Monday
Seymour High School graduation
2:30 p.m. June 6 in the Lloyd E. “Barney” Scott Gymnasium
Ceremony will be livestreamed on the school’s website at shs.scsc.k12.in.us
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