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Coronavirus
As a new strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) swept through the world in 2020, preparedness plans, masking policies and more public policy changed just as quickly. WVXU has covered the pandemic's impact on the Tri-State from the very beginning, when on March 3, 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine barred spectators from attending the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus over concerns about the virus, even though Ohio had yet to confirm a single case of COVID-19.

Local Graduates Deliver Speeches On 'Cincinnati Edition'

coronavirus graduation
Courtesy of Jason Whitman
A photographer takes portraits of graduating seniors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Saturday, May 16, 2020, in Cincinnati.

Traditional graduation ceremonies at local high schools were upended by the current pandemic. The cancellations have forced school districts to offer some creative solutions to celebrate their classes of 2020, and to hand out diplomas.

While the approaches differ across the region, some key traditions are lacking. Class presidents and valedictorians, for example, won't be delivering their send-off speeches to the gathered masses, and there will be no group toss of the mortarboards as seniors bid farewell to one another on the final occasion of their being together.

On Thursday's Cincinnati Edition, we provide a broadcast alternative to some local graduates who would have given speeches at graduation. Join us to hear from students from Mason, Beechwood, Holmes, and Bellevue high schools.

Listen to Cincinnati Edition live at noon M-F. Audio for this segment will be uploaded after 4 p.m. ET.

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Michael Monks brings a broad range of experience to WVXU-FM as the host of Cincinnati Edition, Cincinnati Public Radio's weekday news and information talk show.