Jackson City School held their 2020 Senior Graduation on Friday Night at the Jackson First Church of God in social – distancing style. This was the 97th Graduation at Jackson City School!
Thanks to the administration for putting together such a wonderful ceremony under difficult circumstances to honor the 20 excellent young persons that received their diplomas. The end to your time in High School was not ideal, but the memories ad lessons learned will benefit your for life.
BSN LIVE streamed the event, but not without a little Facebook police interference.
Explanation: A song playing in the background when we started the LIVE stream triggered a Facebook music copyright issue and the Facebook censor immediately blocked the transmission of the stream. Unfortunately, that is not something we could even detect except that the LIVE viewership of the stream went from a number in excess of 50 (and climbing) within the first few seconds of starting the transmission down to 2 immediately. When this happens, those of us whom are administrators on the Facebook Page, can still view the stream, and so myself, Ty, and Elizabeth could see and watch as if there was no problem, but everyone else was banned. No notification was given on our laptops, and after the first 24 minutes of the ceremony, the issue was finally able to be detected on Ty’s mobile device. At that time, we stopped the stream immediately after the Valedictory speech of Colton Smith, and began a new one. Finally, I was able to request Facebook to post the opening video with the music muted. This was not until later last night, so there is no sound on video for the first 2:10 or so at the beginning.
We sincerely apologize to the graduates and their families for this problem. It has happened to us during sporting events with music played over the speakers in the background, and is almost impossible to control and a hazard of broadcasting LIVE on both Facebook and Youtube. Also, due to this issue, the awesome power point completed by the Seniors had to be played without the accompanying music for fear the stream would be blocked again.
Video 1 is muted for the first 2:10, and then contains the Welcome by Principal Melissa Roark; prayer by Halley Grace Turner; Salutatory Address by Damian Xavier Jackson; Valedictory Address by Madilynn Jo Smoot; Valedictory Address by Slayden Wayne Sizemore; and Valedictory Address by Colton Micah Smith.
Video 2 begins with the Valedictory Address by Taylor Nicole Taulbee; and then contains the balance of the graduation with the Valedictory Address by Evan Patrick O’Neill; Senior power point played digitally (we had to stream without music to avoid further Facebook Issues); Alma Mater sung by Harley Isabella Jean Thomas; Matriculation Recommendation by Principal Melissa Roark; Presentation of Diplomas with Bios read; Presentation of Class of 2020 by Superintendent Dr. Paul Green, and then post graduation till end.
STATEMENT BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: James “Elmo” Combs – Chairman; Paula Miller – Vice Chair; Ken Mullins – member; Sydney Thompson – member; and Earl Chapman – member:
The Jackson Independent Board of Education is incredibly proud of this group of graduates. Each of you have remained dedicated to your education and future, even in the face of one of the greatest modern adversities any of us have experienced. While this evening’s graduation ceremony is anything but traditional and ordinary, we are so honored to be here to celebrate with you in your achievements. Each of you have worked tirelessly to achieve your goals but your triumphs will not stop here. Continue to pursue your goals with the same tenacity you have demonstrated in the past 12 years, even in what are uncertain times, as there will be uncertain times in your lives. Know that you are prepared to meet challenges ahead and rise to the occasion. As Martin Luther King Jr said, the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Again, we are so proud of each of you. Congratulations class of 2020.
THE JCS CLASS OF 2020!
SHAUN BACK PAUL CHAMP AUDREY CLEMONS-COMBS ELIZABETH HAYES JACOB HERALD DAMIAN XAVIER JACKSON DEON JOHNSON BRANDON LARGE CHRISTIAN FAITH MOORE HALEY BETH MULLINS EVAN PATRICK O’NEILL JOSHUA PETTY DAWSON ROY LEE PRATER SLAYDEN WAYNE SIZEMORE COLTON MICAH SMITH MADILYNN JO SMOOT TAYLOR NICOLE TAULBEE HARLEY ISABELLA JEAN THOMAS HALLEY GRACE TURNER BRANDON ARTHUR WOLFE
Thanks to the great people at Jackson Deposit Bank and Chris Harris, candidate for Kentucky Supreme Court for sponsoring the Webcast and BSN coverage!!!
