Hello MBC Community!
Great news! Our 2020 Graduation plans are approved! I’m excited to share the details with you.
Approval:
- Our plans meet or exceed all of Governor Steve Bullock’s guidelines for Phase 1 of Montana’s reopening plan.
- We have spoken with the Gallatin County Health Department and also received their “green light” on our plans.
Time and Place:
- Friday, May 8, 1:00 PM (Eat lunch before you come)
- South parking lot – Grace Bible Church
Details and Proactive Measures given COVID-19
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The ceremony will be live-streamed! This accommodates people who cannot attend due to out-of-state travel restrictions (Montana is still directing a 2-week quarantine for out-of-state travelers), personal health concerns, or necessary group size limitations.
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Attendees: Immediate family/friends of graduates are invited to attend, but limited to a maximum of 10 guests per graduate. MBC Faculty, Staff, and Board are invited to attend, limited to themselves and their immediate family members. Current MBC students, along with their spouses and children, are invited to attend. Please RSVP here so MBC can properly prepare the seating/parking arrangements.
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Festive Decorations: MBC school color balloons will be distributed. Graduates are encouraged to decorate their cars. Remember 2020 – the year of the pandemic!
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Good Weather Plan: Guests and participants will be seated outdoors with appropriate social distancing between individuals or household “pods”. A “bring your own lawn chair” practice will be encouraged – see RSVP form. Graduates and faculty will be in full regalia. A sound system will be set up.
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Bad Weather Plan: A canopy will keep rain off the speakers and sound equipment. Guests and participants may choose to “brave the elements” under umbrellas or wearing rain gear or snow gear. Or they may retreat to their vehicles. Graduates and faculty will take indoor pictures in regalia and then leave regalia there so it is not damaged.
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Ceremony: The ceremony will be quite traditional and formal, including commencement speakers and the presentation of degrees. Graduates will be called up individually and diplomas (having been freshly disinfected) will be handed to them by a single MBC official. There will be no traditional handshakes or hugs, but pantomime is acceptable.
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Photography: Individual graduate photos will be taken earlier in the day as part of the graduation rehearsal. Group photos of epic proportions with all the appropriate distancing will be taken. Sorry, but we can’t allow “hug a friend” photos outside of individual households. MBC photographers will post pictures for downloading by family and friends.
Attitude
- MBC desires for this to be a POSITIVE event in our community – something the community can be proud of – a creatively held event meeting and exceeding all health regulations – something that can even be a model of good citizenship for others.
Excited to share the most memorable MBC graduation ever with you, whether live or live-streamed!
Ryan Ward