OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward The Dunkirk High School Class of 2019.

Due to the constraints in place by executive orders from the governor of New York and county Health Department, Dunkirk High School is not able to hold a traditional graduation ceremony at SUNY Fredonia.

The ceremony will be held instead at Dunkirk High School on Saturday on Karl Hoeppner Field beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Each graduate will be provided with two tickets for two guests to attend the ceremony in person. The ceremony will also be broadcast live for those who cannot attend in person.

Students and their two guests should arrive at Dunkirk High School no later than 10 a.m. on Saturday. Students will meet at the front entrance of the high school. Parking for their guests will be available in the student parking lot off Sixth Street and in the staff parking lot off Marauder Drive. Guest tickets will indicate the parking location (location A or B) for the guests.

The guests will be divided into two separate groups for adherence to the mandated 150-person limit. The first group of guests will be ushered into the bleacher seating area at 10:15 a.m.

Students will enter the stadium with the traditional ringing of the bell and proceed to their seats on the field. The students whose guests are in the bleachers will then receive their diplomas in front of their guests. Once group “A” students have received their diplomas, their guests will be escorted out of the stadium and group “B” parents will be ushered into the bleacher seating area. During the transition the students will hear the speeches of the valedictorian, salutatorian and the class president. Once speeches have concluded and parents are seated group “B” students whose guests are now in the bleachers will receive their diplomas in front of their guests.

Once all students have received their diplomas the class will be presented and exit Karl Hoeppner Field as graduates.

A professional photographer will be on hand to take a picture of each student when they ring the bell and when they receive their diplomas. These photos are gifts from the Dunkirk City School District and will be sent to students once they are developed.

It is very important to note that social distancing and facial covering are required throughout the ceremony and must be enforced in order for the ceremony to comply with state and local health department mandates.

Everyone must remember to check the Dunkirk Central School District website, Facebook and Twitter feeds for up to date information if weather conditions necessitate updates to the start of the ceremony. In case of questionable weather, monitor all possible media outlets.