SCHS Planning for Graduation Next Week

Stephens County High School is putting its contingency plans together for next week’s Class of 2016 graduation ceremonies.

Principal Sandy Steele updated the Stephens County Board of Education on graduation at the board’s work session on Thursday.

Steele said that the goal for the students is always to have graduation outside at the football stadium and the hope is always that the weather will cooperate to make that happen.

However, he said preparations must also start in advance if weather may force it indoors.

As a result, Steele said the high school will make a call on Tuesday afternoon after consulting with meteorologists and weather forecasts to determine the chance of rain for Friday evening.

“40 percent or higher will lead us to start making preparations to set up inside because it is an ordeal to transform the arena for graduation,” said Steele.

Steele said that if it is less than a 40 percent chance of rain, plans to have it outside at the football stadium will move ahead and contingencies will be put in place for if there is a pop-up shower or thunderstorm on Friday night.

Also, graduating seniors will again receive tickets this year to give out for people to get into graduation whether it is inside or outside.

Steele said the tickets are not meant to exclude.

“This is a ceremony and it is a dignified ceremony and it is not a Friday night football game,” said Steele.

Steele said seniors will get 15 tickets each if graduation is outside and nine tickets if it is inside.

He said the students and school can then work together to make sure everyone has what they need.

“The students have been in the last two years to trade amongst themselves,” said Steele. “Then we can work out details as we need to.”

Also, Steele said there will be security again this year at the gates to check tickets and also do a bag check.

“No coolers, no umbrellas, no air horns, no shakers, no noisemakers of any kind,” said Steele. “That way, everyone’s family can hear the name of their graduate.”

The Stephens County High School Class of 2016 graduation ceremony is set for Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m.