Manatee School District announces more graduation tickets for high school seniors
High school seniors were forced to choose between parents, grandparents and other loved ones after the Manatee County School District announced a two-ticket limit for each student at this year’s graduation ceremonies — a precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, their decision just became a little easier with a new agreement between the district and the venue, LECOM Park. Graduating seniors will now receive four guest tickets instead of two, district spokesman Mike Barber confirmed on Thursday.
Thursday’s update applies to all of Manatee County’s public high schools, which are scheduled to hold graduation ceremonies in early June. All ceremonies will take place at LECOM Park, with the exception of Manatee High School, which traditionally holds graduation at the campus football stadium.
The original two-ticket limit frustrated students and families after it was announced in early March. Students at Manatee High even staged a walkout and launched a petition for more tickets.
But the limits — a precaution meant to promote social distancing — were instituted by LECOM Park, not the school district, according to Willie Clark, Manatee’s executive director of secondary schools. Addressing the school board on March 9, Clark vowed to negotiate with the venue and work toward four guest tickets per graduate.
Now, with the availability of three COVID-19 vaccines and evolving safety guidelines, both parties feel a fun and safe graduation can take place at the outdoor venue, Barber said.
Chloe Forestier, a senior at Manatee High School and the creator of last month’s petition, said students were scrambling to buy spare tickets from each other before the announcement. The bump to four tickets was a relief for many.
“It took awhile and no one thought it was going to happen, but I’m really happy it ended this way,” Forestier said. “I think everyone is going to be excited. I know I’m really excited that my family can be there.”
As of Wednesday evening, more than 167,000 people — or about 41% of Manatee County residents — have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. About 29% of Manatee residents were fully inoculated, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Fully vaccinated people can safely forgo a mask when doing outdoor activities or meeting with small groups, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its new guidance.
However, the CDC still urged everyone to use a mask at large gatherings, especially in public spaces where not everyone is vaccinated.
“We are following the same health and safety protocols as we did during Spring Training to safely accommodate as many families as possible to share in what will be a special memory for the students,” Terry Rodgers, director of business communications for the Pittsburgh Pirates, said in an email.
Spring Training included a mask requirement, except for children under the age of 2 and guests eating or drinking from their seats. The park also provided sanitizer stations and encouraged social distancing.
“We’re extremely happy that circumstances allow for our seniors to receive more graduation tickets to share with family and friends,” Superintendent Cynthia Saunders said in a prepared statement. “We’re grateful to our community partners, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders, and look forward to celebrating the Class of 2021.”
This story was originally published April 29, 2021 at 11:52 AM.