[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 92 (Friday, May 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E450-E451]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATIONS AIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2020

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, in the midst of the 
catastrophe of the Wuhan Virus it was uplifting to read on the front 
page of The State newspaper of Columbia, S.C., on May 14th ``Airport 
High School holds virtual graduation ceremony'' by Tracy Glantz.
  Lexington County School District Two is professionally led by 
Superintendent Bill James with an extraordinary School Board of 
Chairman Bill Bingham, Elizabeth (Beth) Dickerson Branham, Cynthia M. 
(Cindy) Kessler, R. Kevin Key, Christina Rucker, J.M. (Bud) Summers, 
and Linda Alford-Wooten. Principal David Damm provides dynamic 
leadership.
  I Include in the Record the article highlighted by the inspiring 
family photo of Graduate Marcus Gadsden and his deservedly proud 
parents Yvonne and Richard Gadsden.

                     Airport High School Graduation

       About 300 seniors at Airport High School walked across a 
     stage in their graduation caps and gowns on Wednesday, but it 
     wasn't their graduation day yet. Wednesday was the second day 
     of filming and photographing at the school to produce a 
     televised, virtual graduation ceremony that will air June 6.

[[Page E451]]

       South Carolina state officials have left it to school 
     districts to plan for graduation while taking necessary 
     precautions with social distancing to stop the spread of 
     coronavirus. ``We talked of every possible option, but never 
     stepped away from our foundational desire to keep it safe and 
     keep it responsible,'' Airport High Principal David Damm 
     said.
       Groups of graduates and their parents were spaced several 
     feet apart as they approached the stage. The students took 
     their turns, walking across the stage, receiving their 
     diploma case and getting photographs made. These images will 
     be put together in a video along with speeches by Principal 
     David Damm, valedictorian Ashleigh Smith, salutatorian Rose 
     Brandon, Student Body President Katie Kyzer, and Senior Class 
     President Geena Rocanella.
       ``There's some element to it that we hope is special. . . 
     We are trying to provide the graduates with a memory, a video 
     of their graduation, but do it in a way that keeps people 
     apart and safe,'' Damm said.
       ``I'm just glad to have had a ceremony, even if it was 
     small,'' Julion Brooks said after walking across the stage. 
     His parents, Shaquana and Lamar Brooks, made photographs 
     while wearing T-shirts honoring the class of 2020--``delayed 
     not denied''--printed across the front.
       At Lexington District 2's other high school, Brookland-
     Cayce, students will have a similar opportunity on May 14. 
     Other efforts to help honor the class of 2020 include yard 
     signs, billboards, social media and a countywide porch light 
     salute on May 20, at 8:20 p.m. Virtual graduation ceremonies 
     for the two high schools will air online and on local 
     television June 6, the Lexington 2 school district announced 
     this week.
       They will be broadcast together from 5-7 p.m. June 6 on 
     WACH-Fox 57. They will also be available for streaming via 
     STIRR, a free TV app. The presentations will be posted on the 
     school district's YouTube channel after they have aired.

                          ____________________