Allentown High School should have better plans for its future graduation ceremonies

I am writing to urge the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education to come up with alternative plans for the high school graduation ceremony in the future.

The options given were that graduation would be held either outside on the board office lawn, or in case of inclement weather, each student received tickets for three guests to attend the ceremony n the auditorium. Guests beyond those three would be seated in the gym or another room to watch the graduation on a monitor. I realize there’s a space issue with the auditorium, but most families have more than three members just in their immediate family. It’s a tough choice to decide who isn’t going into the auditorium.

Second, the weather on Tuesday, June 22, was calling for thunderstorms. The kids were asked at graduation practice in the morning to call the high school office at 5 p.m. where they would receive a recorded message about whether the ceremony would be taking place inside or out. I confirmed these instructions at 4 p.m. with the school, and was directed to call the same number at 5 p.m. I, like many other parents who called, did not receive a recorded message but the secretary’s voice mail message instead. This unfortunate miscommunication left many grandparents and guests, who wanted to only attend if it was an outside ceremony, on "standby" waiting to find out whether they should make the trip or not.

Five o’clock is much too late to let people who have a distance to travel, know where graduation is taking place. Guests don’t want to travel a long distance only to watch the graduation ceremony on a television screen. They may be lucky enough to catch a few three-second glimpses of the person they came to see and can only view what is being projected on the monitor rather than the total picture.

Third, the ceremony was held outside, but we were told that three parts of the ceremony were going to be omitted to try to beat the rain. If it didn’t rain by the end of the ceremony, the choir, a previously omitted part, would be permitted to sing.

The ceremony had a rushed atmosphere right from the start. Just as it was time for the diplomas to be awarded, it began to rain. The most important part of the ceremony became total chaos. The names were being read so quickly that the students were not even on the stage when their names were called. They were each supposed to turn and have their picture taken as they received their diploma. I don’t believe that ever took place, either. As the students’ names were called, some of their families and friends got up and left or stood in the aisles. It was hard for people who stayed to give the remaining students their proper recognition because of the total disorder created by the weather and some rude guests. The ceremony was a disservice to the graduates and guests who waited so long for this special day.

One solution would be that tents be set up no matter what the weather is. Consideration should also be given to holding the ceremony at the War Memorial, Sovereign Bank Arena, or somewhere else that can accommodate large crowds of people I’ve discussed this before with administration and was told there is concern over picking the date with an outside facility because you cannot change your date once it’s set.

In that case, either plan graduation to be held a few days after the last planned day of school with the snow days figured in or have additional snow emergency days built into the calendar when you would attend school on a previously scheduled day off.

To avoid disappointment in the future, I believe the board should consider other options for accommodating the graduates and their guests. The whole ceremony should not revolve around the weather, especially up to the last minute. Better planning would make for a proper and fitting ceremony for the graduates and their families. It would assist the maintenance crew, band and choir, administrators, faculty and board members, and others who are part of the graduation ceremony as well. High school graduation memories should be of a ceremony of happiness, recognition, and honor for each graduate.

I feel that Allentown High School is missing the boat by not making more practical arrangements for their graduation ceremony. I urge the board, for the future graduating classes at Allentown High school, to consider other answers to solve the weather and overcrowding issues that have plagued Allentown High School graduation ceremonies in the past.

Diane Raynor

Upper Freehold