HHS offers 'drive-up' graduation

HARRISBURG - Members of the Harrisburg High School Class of 2020 received a graduation ceremony Saturday in a "drive-up" graduation with social distancing measures put into place.

The Saline County Fairground was used to host the ceremony. Graduates either drove themselves or were driven up to a temporary stage. School board members and Harrisburg Unit 3 staff, all wearing face masks, greeted each graduate as he or she was announced, crossed the stage, picked up a diploma and paused for a couple of photos.

The grads then returned to their individual car and drove in formation to the Saline County 4-H Exhibition Hall, hopped out for another photo, and then either returned to a parking area to watch the remainder of the ceremony or left the grounds.

WEBQ, Harrisburg's radio station, broadcast the ceremony on its Facebook page, Local sponsors of the event included Farmers State Bank, Harrisburg Medical Center, Southeastern Illinois College, Peoples National Bank, M & S Implement Co., Mike Sullivan Electric Co., Legence Bank, Tison & Hall Barnett Redi-Mix, Michael Tison-Wells Fargo, Jim Hayes Inc., Southeastern Illinois Electrical Co-op, Tequilas Mexican Restaurant and Michael Stewart and Associates.