GREENSBORO, N.C. — Graduation ceremonies could look much different for the class of 2021 than they did for the class of 2020 as coronavirus restrictions ease.
Many Triad school districts are still determining whether events will be in person or virtual this spring amid the pandemic.
"My son graduated from Grimsley a couple of years ago and it's just such a nice ceremony at the Coliseum," Ashley Oaster said.
Oaster worries her daughter won't get the traditional graduation experience a year into the pandemic.
"We hope that they get this one last in person celebration," Oaster said, "These students have just worked hard and they've gone through a lot."
Her daughter Lauren is a senior at Grimsley High School in Greensboro.
Like many Triad high schools, Grimsley held drive through graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020.
Oaster said even though last year's seniors missed a traditional ceremony, they did get to experience other milestones during the school year pre-pandemic.
Fellow Grimsley mom Kathy Caviness said things are different this year with cases declining and vaccines becoming more widely available.
If we can have guests at a football game and we can have kids on the field and we can have parents in the stands and just social distance, we should be able to do the same thing for graduations," Caviness said.
Guilford County Schools said Friday they have not finalized any graduation plans.
"It would be premature to share any information at this point," GCS Chief of Staff Nora Carr said via email.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will discuss options during a Board of Education work session on Tuesday.
The district's Chief Communications Officer Brent Campbell said every option is being discussed.
"This year has been odd enough for students," Campbell said, "So we want to make graduation and the end of the year as normal as possible."
In person ceremonies are possible but it will depend on state guidance later this spring.
Campbell said if face to face ceremonies are chosen, they will likely be smaller than previous graduations to allow for social distancing.
WS/FCS, like many Triad school districts, opted for virtual and drive through graduations last spring to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
He said the hope is to make a decision in the next few weeks.
Area Universities are starting to solidify plans.
UNC Greensboro announced Wednesday that the university will host hybrid commencement ceremonies.
Graduations for undergraduate and masters students will be virtual. The dates of those ceremonies have not been announced.
Graduating students can also take part in an in person event called "Cross the Quad" during the week of graduation. Students can reserve a time to walk across a stage set up on campus and have their names read aloud.
"At least I do get to walk across the stage, even if it's not the real deal," UNCG student Shiquasha Williams said.
North Carolina A&T University decided to host virtual graduation ceremonies in February. Those plans are being reevaluated after Governor Roy Cooper eased coronavirus restrictions.
Capacity limits for indoor and outdoor venues were increased on February 26.
"Discussions are underway now, and the university expects to announce a final decision sometime next week (March 8 – 12)," the university said in a statement Friday.