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TF South graduation now a single ceremony on June 23

BY JIM MASTERS

LANSING, Ill. (May 18, 2021) – Lansing students and families can forget what they may have heard about Thornton Fractional South High School holding two separate graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, June 23.

There will be just one.

New phase = one ceremony

As of May 14, the State of Illinois moved into the Bridge Phase of its reopening plan which allows for expanded capacity limits. The move clears the way for a single outdoor ceremony for the TF South Class of 2021.

“I know this is something our students wanted badly, and so long as we don’t see any new migrations put in place, I am excited to share this wonderful news,” TF South Principal Jacob Gourley said.

TF South graduation details

The all-class graduation will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23 on Padjen Field, with a rain date of Monday, June 28. Due to state COVID-19 restrictions, an indoor ceremony is still not possible. But it will be a far cry from commencement in 2020, which was essentially a drive-by distribution of diplomas.

Gourley noted that seniors will need to arrive for staging in the school’s red gym no later than 5 p.m., while the field gates opens to spectators. All guests should be seated by 5:45 p.m.

Seniors will receive tickets for four guests, who may sit on the bleachers on either side of the football field. Tickets will be available for pickup on Monday, June 21 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The Pupil Personnel Office will mail further details to students’ homes.

TF South is located at 18500 Burnham Avenue, Lansing, IL.

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Jim Masters
Jim Masters
Jim Masters grew up on 191st Street in Lansing. He attended Nathan Hale Elementary, was a member of St. Ann Church, graduated with the first graduating class at Heritage Middle School, and graduated from TF South High School in 1981. Inspired by his journalism teacher Joe Hyde, Jim earned a BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University. He has more than 25 years of experience as beat reporter, specializing in government, politics, criminal justice, human interest stories, and education.