Avon Lake's Outdoor Graduation Set For 2 p.m.

senior adviser LuAnn Shuster said the district has determined this year’s graduation would be at 2 p.m. on May 29. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be outdoors in the renovated Memorial Stadium, marking the first time in almost a decade graduation would be held outside.

Shuster and class adviser Paul Mitchell have been working with members of the Class of 2011 student council for months to discuss possible options, including moving the ceremony to the evening to avoid hot weather. In the past, excessive midday heat had led to instances of relatives passing out. This year, with some students having already planned evening parties, a decision was made to keep the time at 2 p.m.

Superintendent of Schools Bob Scott said moving the time to the evening could be an option for future classes.

“When the seniors met with Dr. Walker the question of the lateness of the change and plans already in place were discussed,” Scott said. “The final solution was to keep the time and date as originally planned knowing that heat may be an issue. Evening will be a consideration in future years, with the decision being made early.

The idea of returning graduation to an outdoor ceremony was initially introduced by Shuster, a longtime ALHS counselor, who recalled when outdoor graduations were the norm, and this year's senior class members quickly agreed with the idea. For most of the class of 2011, the idea is brand new and provides an opportunity to have more friends and relatives attend and take advantage of a rejuvenated stadium.

Bad weather including rain or excessive heat, could force the graduation back inside. The high school will utilize GradeBookWizard, an online site for parents, students and teachers to share information, access grades and review schedules, to let students and their families know by 8 a.m. on May 29, if the ceremony will be outdoors. Scott said the district has utilized GradeBookWizard effectively for communicating.

Should the ceremony move inside the high school to the competition gym, the attached Performing Arts Center, which is wired with closed circuit television, could be used to seat several hundred more visitors.

School officials are considering this year’s outdoor ceremony a good practice run for future classes when larger class sizes will prohibit using the gym for graduation. Scott noted that the class of 2011 is the last one that will fit into the gym and next year the school will have to begin looking for alternative venues to hold graduation. Some districts, such as Sheffield-Sheffield Lake School District use the Lorain Palace Theater for graduation each year.