Albion graduation will stay outside instead of going back to gym

Photo by Tom Rivers: High School Principal Jenn Ashbery speaks during the commencement for the Class of 2021 on June 25, 2021. That was the first time the ceremony was held on the football field.

ALBION – The high school graduation ceremony will remain outside on the football field.

Jenn Ashbery, the high school principal, announced the plan during Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

Commencement is typically held in the high school gym but was moved to the football field last year on June 25 for the first time. In 2020, there wasn’t a live ceremony. The district compiled a video of grads receiving their diplomas individually.

Last year in the return to a live ceremony each graduate was limited to three tickets. This year there won’t be a limit on attendance and graduates can invite as many people as they want.

The ceremony at Spierdowis Field is planned for 7 p.m. on June 24. In case of rain it will be moved to June 25 at either 11 a.m. or 5 p.m., Ashbery said.

There will also be another change: the graduates won’t sit in the bleachers. Instead they will be up the front in chairs so the class president, valedictorian and salutatorian can see their faces when they give their speeches. Last year, the students were sitting behind the speakers.

Other upcoming events for the Class of 2022 include:

• May 12 – Honors Convocation, High School Gymnasium
• June 10 – Crash simulation in high school parking lot
• June 10 – Senior Prom at Hickory Ridge
• June 17 – Class Night at Middle School Auditorium
• TBD Baccalaureate