Sunday will see 625 Lakota West High School graduates do the same on their West Chester Township campus as they earn their diplomas in three separate graduation festivities.
Perhaps only a few graduates will be as excited as Lakota East senior Will Downs, a special needs teen who has undergone more than 30 operations in his 18 years.
The Liberty Twp. resident who lives with Downs Syndrome suffered a series of maladies, including severe sleep apnea. He was among the first five in the nation to have a hypoglossal nerve stimulator pacemaker surgically placed in his body to allow him to breathe.
His mother, Dawn, said when Will steps from his family’s car and walks up to the outdoor stage at Lakota East’s main entrance to receive his diploma “it will symbolize Will’s long journey.”
“I can’t believe he is graduating. It’s a miracle,” said his mother.
And though the Lakota high schools’ graduation ceremonies are radically different this year than in the past because of the coronavirus, Downs said Will isn’t letting it dampen his enthusiasm.
“He says with enthusiasm, ‘We’re graduating with masks,’ and he is so happy,” she said.
The celebration won’t end for Downs family after the ceremony. Dozens of family, friends, classmates and neighbors plan to conduct a drive-by parade at this home to make his day even more special, she said.
And that’s what the Lakota school officials hope the unusual commencements will be for all graduates and their families despite the restrictions.
“We have worked very hard to ensure that we are able to give our graduates a modified ceremony while adhering to the parameters set forth by the Butler County Health Department. Our principals and their teams have put in countless hours of planning to make this weekend as close to a traditional ceremony as we can,” said Lakota Schools spokeswoman Betsy Fuller.
“In order to accommodate our graduates and their families, both schools will hold multiple smaller ceremonies. To help ensure the safety of all attendees, our graduates and their families will stay in their cars during the ceremony (and) the ceremonies will be broadcast throughout the parking lots on speakers.”
The ceremonies can also be heard on 98.1-FM and will be livestreamed on the Lakota Local Schools’ Facebook page.
The commencements for Lakota East will be today at 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and for Lakota West on Sunday at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
“We are proud of all they have accomplished during their time at Lakota and look forward to seeing the positive impact they make in the future,” Lakota Superintendent Matt Miller.
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