Jim Thorpe Area High School officials are preparing for graduation in the school’s stadium and prom at Kalahari Resorts.

The prom was canceled in 2020 and graduation was held on the track at Pocono Raceway, one of the only venues large enough to meet the pandemic restrictions which were in place at the time.

“Last year’s seniors were devastated that they couldn’t have graduation or a prom,” said board member Pearl Sheckler.

Graduation will take place Friday, June 11, at 6 p.m. inside the Jim Thorpe Olympian Stadium.

A project to replace the all-weather track at the stadium is on schedule to be completed in time for the event.

Students will be seated on the new turf field which was installed last year. The district’s facilities department is modifying the chairs to protect the new turf. High heels won’t be allowed on the turf.

Under current restrictions, the stadium will be limited to 50 percent capacity, but Principal Thomas Lesisko said students should each receive at least five tickets for family members.

In case of rain, makeup dates are June 12 and 13.

The prom is scheduled to take place May 14 at Kalahari, located in Monroe County.

At the prom, students will sit four to a table, and masks will be required when they aren’t seated.

The prom meets the requirements of the school’s health and safety plan.

“Juniors and seniors want a prom. We need to do everything we can to make this happen,” said Superintendent John Rushefski.

The annual academic awards ceremony will take place May 26 in the school gymnasium.

Members of the classes of 2021 and 2022 will take rafting trips down the Lehigh on May 27 and June 8, respectively.