Graduation Special Editions Delayed Due to Ceremony Dates

By Brittany Martin

brittany@mckenziebanner.com

McKENZIE (June 1) — The McKenzie Banner and Dresden Enterprise are working on the upcoming Graduation Keepsake Editions scheduled to print later this month. There are two special editions: one featuring all Weakley County high school graduates (inserting in the Dresden Enterprise) and one featuring all Carroll County high school graduates plus Gleason (inserting in The McKenzie Banner). Gleason has appeared in both for many years.

This year has presented a unique set of challenges, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The newspapers’ front lobby closed to the public March 23, it officially reopened today. Some staff continue to work from home. It is the first time both publications’ graduation editions will be produced from one location.

Schools closed mid-March. All Weakley and Carroll County schools were very helpful in providing graduates’ portraits. At this time, it appears we have all the graduates, thanks to school administrators and staff.

The plan for the editions is to include all portraits and ceremony coverage from each school represented. The Weakley County edition will include the Top 10 from each school.

Due to the pandemic, ceremonies that normally occurred within the weeks around Mother’s Day have been scattered across May and June.

After careful thought, the newspapers decided to wait until after all ceremonies to release the graduation special editions.

After months of canceled celebrations and lost time with friends — we owe it to the seniors to wait for their special day.

For seniors in Clarksburg, McKenzie and Huntingdon who graduated in mid-May it may seem like a long wait. We apologize for the delay, but thank you for your patience and understanding.

Graduation dates and times are as follows: Dresden, Greenfield and Gleason graduate Friday, June 12 at 7 p.m. in the gymnasiums at their respective schools. Westview graduates Friday, June 12 at 8 p.m. on the football field.

Clarksburg graduated May 8, McKenzie on May 17 and Huntingdon May 18, 2020.

The tentative dates for the special editions are the week of June 17 for the Dresden Enterprise (Weakley County edition) and the week of June 23 for The McKenzie Banner (Carroll County plus Gleason edition).

It is not too late to honor a senior or send well wishes to this historic graduating class. If interested, please call 731-352-3323 or 731-364-2234 or e-mail grad@mckenziebanner.com or grad@dresdenenterprise.com.