Page 16 - Mid Valley Times 6-11-20 E-edition

Thursday, June 11, 2020 | A16 | Mid Valley TiMes
Immanuel High celebrates a live graduation
ABOVE: Valedictorian Ann- lyn Haworth smiled after finishing her address to her classmates.
RIGHT: Immanuel High teacher Matthew Ayers, the commencement speaker for 2020, talked to one sec- tion of the graduates (not pictured) while the other half looks on in the back- ground.
IMMANUEL Continued from page A1
ilies sat together there were areas of distancing in the west grandstand of the stadium. Close to 1,000 people were in at- tendance.
Ryan Wood, superin- tendent for Immanuel Schools, said the gradu- ates and parents' fami- lies ultimately decided they wanted to have a live graduation as soon as possible. Even though the state hadn't entered into Stage 3 (including reopening of schools) and guidelines continue against large gatherings, the graduation took place.
"We heard [the gradu-
ates and famillies] and we made a decision and we did as safe as possi- ble. And we're very hap- py with it," Wood said.
Wood said school of- ficials and families have met up on zoom Q&A sessions weekly for sev- eral weeks, and families were clear at the desire for a live graduation. The school set up dates in both June and July and were prepared to pro- ceed as soon as possible.
In addition to the high school graduation, Im- manuel Schools held an eighth grade promotion ceremony for 55 students on June 4. The event fol- lowed the same setup as the high school ceremony.
For the first time, Immanuel High School moved its live graduation ceremony outdoors, holding the event at the Immanuel Sports Complex's County Line Stadium.
UPPER LEFT: The scoreboard at County Line Stadium in the Immanuel Sports Complex south of Reedley saluted the Immanuel High School Class of 2020 during a gradua- tion ceremony on June 3. The school held the perhaps the only live graduation in Fresno County, with an estimate 1,000 in attendance.
TOP: Seniors from Immanuel High's Class of 2020 flipped their graduation tassels after formally graduating during the school's live commencement ceremony on June 3.
ABOVE LEFT: Mackenzie Coats, one of the school's vale- dictorian speakers, reads from her address during the ceremony.
ABOVE RIGHT: Taylor Simonian smiled as she walked to the stage to accept hte Ed Janzen Student Excellence Award. Simonian later introduced commencement speak- er Matthew Ayers.
Photos by Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
OPENINGS Continued from page A1
stemmed from an outbreak of COV- ID-19 at Avenal State Prison in Kings County.
At the same time, the reopening process continues to proceed into Stage 3. Beginning Friday, June 12, new guidelines will allow for the fol- lowing to reopen: schools, day camps, hotels, tribal casinos, gyms, bars and restaurants, museums, campgrounds, zoos. Also professional sporting events are beginning to get the green lights, although live audiences are not allowed.
Earlier in the month, churches were allowed to start reopening for live attendance, although attendance was limited to 100 worshippers or 25 percent capacity, whichever was a lower number.
COVID-19 update
As of 3:55 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, there had been 2,286 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Fresno County, with 48 deaths. Among Mid Valley Times cities, Sanger (including the region to the northeast) had the most positive cases with 177 while Reedley had 134 cases. Orange Cove had 106 cases, Parlier had 95 cases. Del Rey was at 17 cases while Fowler had 18 cases. The county reported that 666
of the positive cases had recovered.
In Tulare County, there were 2,381 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 94 deaths as of 10:40 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9. Breakdowns by cities/regions now are available, with 415 cases in Dinuba, 104 in Orosi, 60 in Cutler, 13 in the Traver area and less than 11 each in ruralareassouthofReedley and east of Orange Cove. A total of 1,497 people had recovered from the virus in Tulare County.
ASADA BURRITO
BREAKFAST BURRITO
1405 W El Monte Way
NOW SERVING
Breakfast
DAILY FROM 6AM - 11AM
Store Hours: 6am - 10pm Mon-. Sat. Sun. 9am - 9pm
Dinuba • 559.315.5192
Happy 12th Birthday
Luna I.V.
Love, Vazquez-Villalobos Family
CreCiendo Muy rapido Mija...