Graduating high school students may not get a ceremony, but they will get recognition.

The mayors of State Center and Marshalltown have enacted proclamations recognizing the graduating high school seniors at West Marshall School District and Marshalltown High School during the month of May. 

Recently Gov. Kim Reynolds made the decision to close down the schools for the rest of the year and the COVID-19 pandemic would make a traditional graduation ceremony almost impossible because of the need for social distance. 

“A lot of people would’ve had family coming to the area,” said Steve Sodders, State Center mayor. “This seemed like something to do to recognize our students.”

Sodders hasn’t heard of other communities outside of Marshall County in Iowa recognizing graduating seniors in this fashion. 

“We felt it was appropriate to do that,” Sodders said. 

State Center and the Times-Republican are going to offer to put up signs with senior’s faces at their houses. 

The T-R is offering 18×24-inch inch yard signs for families with graduating seniors. The signs will include the student’s picture and name. The signs are delivered and cost $35. 

Sodders and city officials have been working with a printing shop in Des Moines to create signs with senior pictures around town and at homes. 

“We could put them up on the light poles,” Sodders said. 

State Center is also working a prospective socially distanced parade for its seniors and banners placed around the city as well. 

“All of the schools are trying to do some sort of a graduation or recognition,” Sodders said. “We’re going to work closely with Jacy Large (West Marshall Superintendent) and as a city.” 

Marshalltown has also issued a proclamation recognizing high school seniors. 

Joel Greer, Marshalltown Mayor, liked the idea of recognizing seniors and took action on Wednesday to put together a proclamation recognizing them. 

“We’ll do whatever we can to do to give some sort of recognition,” Sodders said. 

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Contact Thomas Nelson at (641)753-6611 or tnelson@timesrepublican.com