The day every senior has anticipated is steadily approaching. While COVID-19 is infamous for canceling and rescheduling events, TISD administration has been tentatively following the latest CDC guidelines to determine how the rest of the year will play out. On Feb. 4, Principal Carla Dupree met in the Performing Arts Center to inform the current seniors of upcoming events. 

Here’s what the seniors were told:

Graduation will be held on May 29 at Tiger Stadium at Grim Park. It’s set for 10 a.m. However, should rain be likely, it will be at 6 p.m. Students will receive six tickets each for family and friends. Also, in an unprecedented move, they have been cleared to throw their caps in the air. 

Last year, prom was unable to occur due to the severity of the pandemic. This years’ seniors fear the same will happen to them. Unfortunately, prom is still up in the air, and senior girls were advised to wait to purchase a dress. Dupree will bring it up again in a meeting with administration during March in hopes of hearing a final decision.

Due to the pandemic, many other events are having to be put on hold. For instance, the annual tradition of senior sunrise is a possibility, only if proper social distancing measures are followed. Events as large as the traditional bonfire are not an option due to the amount of students that would be crowded together.

There have been talks of bringing up other traditions that have been missed already. Senior Trey Lavender suggested having a bacon fry when the baseball team plays Arkansas to make up for the tradition’s absence from the football season. While that was nothing more than an idea, Leadership will be responsible for looking into the potential protocols and execution of events like this. 

As the second semester continues on, many questions still remain unanswered. Administration and student body will continue to release regular updates about how the future of Texas Highs’ traditions and celebrations will unfold.