Commencement just days away for senior Coalers

It’s been an unusual year for local school students, and unlike anything members of the class of 2021 had in mind when they first entered the halls of Coal City High School.
On Thursday, the 151 members of the senior class will wrap up their academic studies and begin the celebration that comes with commencement.
The traditional “chicken in the shed” lunch is set for Thursday and following a senior breakfast on Friday morning, the class will run through the commencement ceremony set for Sunday, May 16 at 2 p.m. in the Dzuris Athletic Complex.
The in-person ceremony will include remarks from the valedictorian and salutatorian, as well as class officers.
Based on guidance the district has received from the Grundy County Health Department, each graduate will be provided with tickets for up to four guests to attend the ceremony.
As high school principal Chris Spencer noted in a letter to the seniors and their parents, there is no exception to the number of guests allowed.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved inside and the number of guests allowed will be limited to three.
This year the students will walk out to the field as a class with members of the Board of Education leading the procession, however there will be no tossing of the caps to close out the ceremony.
Members of the senior class will also be honored this evening [May 12] during the Honors Night with the presentation of scholarships and awards.
The district is also set to hold an in-person promotion ceremony for members of the eighth grade class at Coal City Middle School.
Promotion is set for Friday, May 28 at 7 p.m. in the competition gym at the high school.
Based on the allowable capacity within the space, each eighth grade student will be allowed three guests to attend the ceremony.