Natalie Marburger decorated her graduation cap with late hall passes she accumulated over the years at Butler Senior High School.

Butler Senior High School students received their diplomas Wednesday in a way they didn't anticipate at the beginning of the school year, but they were happy to get them.

“It was a little different from what I expected, but it was great to be handed a diploma,” said graduating senior Hannah Lindell.

In the fall, she said she will be attending Chatham University in the physician assistant program.

Her father, John Lindell, was disappointed that a traditional graduation ceremony wasn't held this year due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, but said the school district did the best it could under the circumstances.

“We're generally disappointed, but it's nobody's fault,” he said.

Her mother, Sonia Lindell, said Hannah will help prevent situations like the pandemic from happening in the future.

Hannah and her older sister, Sarah, who is a senior at Duquesne University, worked hard to get where they are.

“We couldn't be prouder of them,” John Lindell said.

“You can't be scared. You have to move forward,” Sonia Lindell said.

Hannah is one of 439 members of the class of 2020 who are graduating under plans school district officials made to honor graduates while following the state's coronavirus safety guidelines.

Individualized mini diploma ceremonies were held in the high school auditorium from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday for 60 students and continue Thursday and Friday for the rest of the 439 members of the class.

Each graduate could bring up to six guests to their ceremony and select one of them to hand them their diplomas.

Al Vavro, school board president, read the names of the graduates and their post-secondary education or career plans as they entered the auditorium with their guests. Three other board members also volunteered and will call out the names at the other ceremonies.

Superintendent Brian White greeted each graduate and their guests before they walked onto the stage. The students' diploma presenters took the diplomas from a table and handed them to the graduates.

Each senior and his or her guests entered as groups and then left as the next name was called.

Ken Plyler, who hopes to land an apprenticeship in manufacturing, liked the nontraditional ceremony.“I'm not a fan of walking in front of a lot of people,” Ken said. “I liked it.”The day also marked the 26th wedding anniversary of Ken's parents, Donald and Bonnie Plyler. Donald presented the diploma to Ken.Mikayla Tillery, who graduated with high honors with distinction, said she is going to California to study public policy and international relations at Stanford University.After she graduates, she said she wants to study law or work for a nonprofit organization that works to improve access to health care.“I'm happy we still had it,” she said about the diploma ceremony. “It's really exciting. It's something I've worked for for a long time.”Her parents, Erin and Michael Tillery, said they are “super proud” of Mikayla.Michael Tillery said Mikayla worked hard in high school and he was glad the district held a ceremony.“I'm glad they were able to do something,” he said.“They're grateful we're doing something,” White said, about graduates and their families. “We wanted to honor seniors to dignify their accomplishments.”He said he enjoyed taking a few moments to speak with the graduates and their families before they walked on to the stage. He said he doesn't have that opportunity in a traditional commencement ceremony.The remaining students will have their diploma ceremonies from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.The seniors will be considered graduates on Friday.On that day, a prerecorded virtual commencement ceremony will be broadcast on the district website at 7 p.m.The prerecorded ceremony features a welcome address from class President Peyton Seibert, seniors Anna Baxter and Lea Codispot speaking on the commencement theme “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” and valedictorian Emily Fleeger delivering the class farewell. Amanda Bishop will sing the national anthem in the ceremony opening and the alma mater at the closing.If possible, depending on COVID-19 restrictions, a traditional commencement program will be held July 15 at the high school football field. The rain date is July 16.The prom will be held July 13. If large gatherings are permitted, the prom will be held at Butler Community College. If large indoor gatherings are not permitted, but large outdoor gatherings are permitted, the prom will be held in the high school parking lot. The rain date will be July 14.Other high schools also held commencement and graduation ceremonies Wednesday.n Karns City High School held a commencement for graduates and immediate family members at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.n Knoch High School held a virtual graduation ceremony in which seniors received their diplomas. The ceremony was recorded and will be posted on YouTube.n Moniteau Junior/Senior High School held a drive-through ceremony at the high school.n Union High School held its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. at the high school football field.

Nathan Szurek received his diploma from his parents, Mike and Amanda Szurek.