Dry graduation in tonight’s forecast
After two days of rain, Warren County High School seniors are hoping the showers subside for tonight’s outdoor graduation ceremony at Nunley Stadium.
Fortunately, the weather forecast appears to be in their favor. While cloudy skies are in the forecast tonight, rain is not. Temperatures are predicted to be in the mid-50s by the 7 p.m. start time.
‘I’ve watched all the forecasts and right now they’re not calling for any rain,’ said Warren County High School principal James Bennett.
In the event graduation has to be postponed due to rain, Bennett said he would make that call around 3 p.m. If graduation is postponed, the make-up time is Saturday at 5 p.m.
A Warren County High School senior class packed with 420 graduates is set to walk across the stage and receive their high school diplomas. Yesterday, those graduates had mixed memories of their high school years.
‘I’m excited it’s over,’ said Gabby Adams, who said she would have several out-of-town family members from Delaware in attendance tonight.
But Chase Gibson didn’t share those sentiments, ‘I’m going to miss it for sure,’ he said.
Michael Warner says he’s already had a taste of the real world as he’s been working two jobs at Domino’s and Movie Gallery.
‘Delivering pizzas is pretty cool because you make good money in tips,’ said Warner, who reported for work yesterday at 11 a.m.
Mercedez Tinney, who is from San Diego, says her summer plans include a return trip to the West Coast.
‘I want to travel a lot,’ said Tinney. ‘Go to California and sleep on the beach.’
As for tonight’s schedule, students should be at McMinnville Civic Center in their caps and gowns at 5:30 p.m. to load buses to ride to Nunley Stadium. This is done due to parking limitations. Lineup on the track begins at 6 p.m. Seniors are required to ride a bus to the stadium, although they are not required to ride a bus back.
‘This is one of the most stressful times of year for this job,’ said Bennett. ‘There’s a minimum of a dozen major checkpoints you have to go through to make sure the ceremony runs smoothly. It’s a major undertaking that requires a lot of time and effort from a lot of people in our school system. We’re hoping for a great night for our seniors and their families.’
The ceremony itself will feature speeches from valedictorian Jackson Ewton, salutatorian Amy Hutton, student body president Taylor Nunley and senior class president Katrina Allen. There will also be student entertainment.
Immediately following the ceremony, students can pick up their diplomas under the scoreboard.
Regardless of weather, Project Graduation will take place tonight beginning at 10 p.m. at the Civic Center.