Commencement ceremonies for the high school class of 2021 may have more pomp as circumstances permit this spring. Erie area schools plan to honor graduates in person. And even proms, class trips, baccalaureate services and other senior-centric events may happen, contingent on COVID-19 case numbers and Erie County Department of Health approval. "Graduation won't be 2,000 people plus faculty and staff at the Bayfront Convention Center, but it may be more traditional than last year," said James Vieira, dean of Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy in Erie. The class of 2021 will be the second class to graduate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commencements last year were virtual, in-person for small groups at a time, or both. Plans for 2021 in-person events are still works in progress because state health and education department guidelines are le to change.