Pearl River Central High School will be holding a graduation parade at 7 p.m. on Friday along Highway 11 to celebrate seniors. The school’s administration intends to hold a traditional graduation ceremony at a later date.

The parade will begin at the Pearl River Central Elementary School and travel down Highway 11 before ending at the Pearl River Central High School campus where seniors will turn their vehicles at the middle school and exit out of the high school campus.

Seniors will receive their caps and gowns on Thursday so they can wear them in the parade. Seniors should arrive at the elementary school at 6:30 p.m. and the parade will begin at 7 p.m.

Community members can park along the parade route on the side of Highway 11 or in the campus parking lots to cheer the seniors on. Spectators should remain in their vehicles at all times. Vehicles in the parade must have a senior in them.

“We just want to take the opportunity to celebrate our seniors and make the best of a bad situation,” said Penton.

A date for a traditional graduation ceremony will be set after more restrictions on gatherings are lifted, said Assistant Principal Crystal Penton. Administrators do not want to set a date only to have to reschedule.

The Pearl River County School District held a virtual awards ceremony on Friday, May 15.
The awards ceremony was livestreamed on the school’s Facebook page and the response was very positive, said Penton.