Coronavirus: Tennessee college students will stage graduation on porch

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Graduation ceremonies at the University of Tennessee have been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that is not stopping five seniors from donning their caps and gowns this weekend -- along with some masks.

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Reagan Ale said she and her roommates will stage their own ceremony Saturday on the porch of the Knoxville home they share, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.

The five women were looking forward to the May 9 ceremony at Thompson-Boling Arena. When the university announced a postponement on April 1, the roommates were disappointed.

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“We were feeling pretty bummed out about missing our last semester of college and not being able to experience the ‘lasts’ that all seniors have,” Ale told the News Sentinel.

The women came up with an alternative, one that follows social distancing guidelines. They will walk across the porch and accept fake diplomas, the newspaper reported.

“We wanted to create a positive memory for us to look back on,” Ale said.

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Sydney Ryan, one of Ale’s roommates, said she was looking forward to celebrating her graduation with her friends and family.

“I was really upset,” Ryan told the News Sentinel. “Graduation to me wasn’t a big deal, but my family was really excited.”

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The women are hoping they can persuade celebrity John Krasinski to make a virtual appearance and be their commencement speaker. “The Office” star has not responded, but he did announce he would do a special graduation episode of his internet show, “Some Good News,” the News Sentinel reported.

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“If there is a separate graduation ceremony that UT is planning eventually, I know not everyone will be able to come,” Ryan told the newspaper. “I think it’s important for us to have this last little time together.”

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