CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A group of parents organized a graduation ceremony for Clarksville High School seniors at the Fredonia Community Center.
On Saturday, June 27, there were overcast skies and it was a little windy but the rain held off as 47 students walked across the back porch of the facility, decorated as a stage, while proud family members and friends watched from the back lawn of the center.
Stephanie Lanham, Julie Walker and Heather Powell, came up with the idea after the formal graduation was cancelled because of COVID-19. Their sons are players on the CHS Baseball Team.
“We just felt like there was something we could do for our boys to have them have that graduation experience,” said Lanham.
Lanham added they first thought about ten students, that grew to 20, and they finally it was bumped up to 50 with a few students not being able to attend because of vacations and other circumstances. They were glad to get the participation they had.
CHS Student Body President Mallory Milliken said the graduation ceremony meant a lot to her.
“I felt we did the best with the circumstances we had and the hand that we were dealt,” Milliken said. ” It was pretty awesome the way the community came together and was able to put something on and make it feel so special.”
CHS Student Body Vice President, Nina Chong, also shared her feelings about the graduation ceremony.
“I feel really blessed that we had this chance to graduate especially during this time,” Chong said. “It’s incredible to see all my classmates, to have the ceremony, it’s not the same as a real graduation but it’s very special and unique.”
The CHS graduation was the first event to be held at the Fredonia Community Center since its recent opening after renovations from a historic school house to a community facility.
