EDUCATION
Grad! Congrats
Trading the stage for a screen.
That’s the story for the class of 2020. Rapid City area high schools and post-secondary institutions have had to pivot their plans for a traditional commencement ceremony in light of CDC guidelines to forego large gatherings. But they are not wavering in the work to ensure area graduates still get the recognition they deserve – even if it may look a little different. “For all of us to graduate, especially making it through the chaos of this last semester, that’s something to celebrate,” says Alisha Allen, a recent graduate from the LPN program at Western Dakota Tech. In addition to working at a local clinic, Allen will be continuing her education through WDT’s new RN program. A strong economy begins with a strong, educated workforce. Take a moment to applaud and celebrate the Class of 2020!
Universities Black Hills State University honored graduates with a Virtual Commencement Ceremony on May 8. South Dakota School of Mines & Technology students experienced a whole new game of life in the May 9 Virtual Commencement Ceremony modeled after a video game! Western Dakota Tech is in the final stages of planning a virtual commencement ceremony for later this summer. Date to be determined. Oglala Lakota College will be honoring graduates with five separate Zoom ceremonies. Additionally, the college is gift each gradate $ 50 to go toward a celebratory family dinner. Graduation ceremonies will be:
June 12
Cheyenne River, 10 am
June 20
Eagle Next, Pass Creek, LaCreek, Oglala, Wounded Knee and East Wakpamni, 10 am Members of the Hardrocker Pep Band performs the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology fight song at the closing of the school's first ever virtual commencement.
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E L E VAT E R A P I D C IT Y JUNE 2020
Rapid City, 1 pm
June 21
Pahin Sinte and Pejuta Haka, 10 am Pine Ridge, 1 pm
