A traditional graduation ceremony awaits seniors at Northern Lehigh High School.

High school Principal Robert Vlasaty announced at Monday’s school board meeting that the district’s 131st commencement ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. June 11 in Bulldog Community Stadium. Gates will open at 6:15 p.m.

The rain date is 10:30 a.m. June 12, and gates would open at 9:45 a.m.

“Under current CDC and Department of Health recommendations, we will be able to hold a traditional ceremony with at least six tickets per graduate through the utilization of both sets of home and away bleachers,” Vlasaty said.

Vlasaty also discussed other end-of-year logistics for the high school.

Senior Awards ceremony

Vlasaty said the Senior Awards ceremony will also be held at Bulldog Community Stadium from 5-6 p.m. June 11.

“We have decided to hold this event in conjunction with the commencement ceremony in an outdoor venue for safety and convenience for our families,” he said.

Vlasaty said gates will open at 4:30 p.m., and admittance will be by invitation only to those seniors receiving awards or scholarships.

The rain date would be 8:30 a.m. June 12, with the gates opening at 8 a.m.

Prom

Vlasaty said this year’s prom will be held on May 15.

“I am also very happy to announce that the senior class officers and I have been working to plan the prom, and we have a solid plan,” he said.

Vlasaty added that the prom will be a senior-only, outdoor tented formal event, and that no dates from another class or school are permitted.

“Dinner will be catered and served by the one and only (Director of Food Services) Mrs. (Sue) Bahnick and her awesome team,” he said.

Vlasaty said formal dress is recommended. Prom dresses and tuxedos are not mandatory, however classy dresses and suits are acceptable. Those in doubt should see Vlasaty for approval.

“In planning this event, we have carefully incorporated the recommended health guidelines in regards to 6-foot distancing, mandatory masking and hand sanitization; however despite our consultations with Pennsylvania Department of Health, we could not come up with a feasible solution for dancing, so dancing will not be permitted,” he said.

Vlasaty said the prom will begin at 5 p.m., with an arrival hour of photographs by Lifetouch, hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

“Then we will serve dinner, raffle off prizes donated by the community - thanks to those community members that are raising those for us,” he said. “We will also introduce the prom court, and crown the king and queen.”

Also, Vlasaty said there will be a selection of outdoor activities available.

“Lastly, we have an inflatable movie screen to show a movie to be announced yet, we haven’t decided that yet, with popcorn and beverages,” he said. “Seniors will be required to space themselves out 6 feet apart on the turf in order to watch the movie.”

Vlasaty noted they have also arranged gift bags for all seniors regardless if they attend the prom or not. They may pick them up in the main office the following week.

He then thanked administrators, along with his senior class officers “for their guidance and feedback.”

Vlasaty also thanked Bahnick and (office secretary) Mrs. (Kathy) Nowlin “for their help and assistance in putting this altogether.

“Without their help, this would not have happened in such a short amount of time, and I’m truly excited to hold this event,” he said.