http://www.wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=10373475
After two confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus on school grounds, St. Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary closed its campus to the public. No one is allowed on the boarding school's campus.
The Fond du Lac County Health Department made the recommendation after 30 percent of the student population showed flu-like symptoms.
Graduation, which was scheduled for Sunday, was changed to a closed-door ceremony Friday afternoon, and family and friends couldn't attend.
Graduation for seniors at St. Lawrence Seminary is usually a day of pomp and fanfare.
"Graduation day was going to be the very last day for the students and families to be together," Sam Lucero, whose son was graduating, said.
Graduation for the family is usually wrapped in a day of preparation.
"I would probably get him some gifts and dress up because he's really special to me," younger sister Samantha Lucero said.
Dominic Lucero is among a decades-long lineage to graduate from St. Lawrence. Dozens of family members planned to be there Sunday -- his brother was arriving Friday night from Texas -- only to learn a ceremony so rich in history can only stream live over the Internet on a Friday afternoon.
"Better safe than sorry, but just the timing wasn't good," mom Laurie Lucero said.
So graduation for the St. Lawrence Class of 2009 kept Mom, Dad, and sister at home, surrounding a laptop computer on the kitchen counter.
"We won't have the full dramatic effect of being there, seeing the smiles on the kids faces and all of the expressions, of being there to cheer them on," Mr. Lucero said.
Graduation days come and go, but for the St. Lawrence Class of 2009, the fanfare was only as big as a 14-inch screen.
"I'm used to going to the graduation and visiting my friends and family, and now I just have to watch it on TV," Samantha said.
While Dominic was difficult to pick out of the crowd of 46 graduating seniors, when he stepped to the lectern Mom and Dad couldn't shine more -- Dominic told his class, "Jesus said to the disciples, 'As the father loves me, so I also love you'" -- whether the family could be there in person or not.
After two confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus on school grounds, St. Lawrence Seminary in Mt. Calvary closed its campus to the public. No one is allowed on the boarding school's campus.
The Fond du Lac County Health Department made the recommendation after 30 percent of the student population showed flu-like symptoms.
Graduation, which was scheduled for Sunday, was changed to a closed-door ceremony Friday afternoon, and family and friends couldn't attend.
Graduation for seniors at St. Lawrence Seminary is usually a day of pomp and fanfare.
"Graduation day was going to be the very last day for the students and families to be together," Sam Lucero, whose son was graduating, said.
Graduation for the family is usually wrapped in a day of preparation.
"I would probably get him some gifts and dress up because he's really special to me," younger sister Samantha Lucero said.
Dominic Lucero is among a decades-long lineage to graduate from St. Lawrence. Dozens of family members planned to be there Sunday -- his brother was arriving Friday night from Texas -- only to learn a ceremony so rich in history can only stream live over the Internet on a Friday afternoon.
"Better safe than sorry, but just the timing wasn't good," mom Laurie Lucero said.
So graduation for the St. Lawrence Class of 2009 kept Mom, Dad, and sister at home, surrounding a laptop computer on the kitchen counter.
"We won't have the full dramatic effect of being there, seeing the smiles on the kids faces and all of the expressions, of being there to cheer them on," Mr. Lucero said.
Graduation days come and go, but for the St. Lawrence Class of 2009, the fanfare was only as big as a 14-inch screen.
"I'm used to going to the graduation and visiting my friends and family, and now I just have to watch it on TV," Samantha said.
While Dominic was difficult to pick out of the crowd of 46 graduating seniors, when he stepped to the lectern Mom and Dad couldn't shine more -- Dominic told his class, "Jesus said to the disciples, 'As the father loves me, so I also love you'" -- whether the family could be there in person or not.
