In the middle of the Bainbridge High School’s senior choral members singing “Because You Loved Me,” the graduation ceremony Thursday night was postponed to Friday night.

About a half-hour into the program, the rains fell for approximately 20 minutes when the call was made to postpone the ceremony to Friday, May 22, beginning at 8 p.m.

Principal Tommie Howell said Friday morning that the ceremony is going to be in Memorial Coliseum beginning at 8 p.m.

Decatur County Board of Education Chairman Sydney Cochran said Thursday evening that the board will then take it one step at a time if the rain persists.

“This is ridiculous. I’m mad, and I want my diploma,” Kristen Walker, who was being egged on by her friends, said half jokingly.

Shortly into the ceremony, umbrellas started coming out in the stands at Centennial Field, then a soft, light rain fell before the heavy, drenching rain fell. Just prior to that, Howell interrupted the choral members’ song and told the graduates to go to the visitor’s side bleachers and the crowd had already started to seek shelter.

Senior Jordan Inlow thought his graduation might be delayed by rain, but it didn’t dampen his spirits.

“I don’t know when we’re going to get our diplomas, but we’re going to do it,” Inlow said.

Seniors hanging around Christopher Franklin said the party is still on.

“We’re graduating. It’s just a little disappointing, but we’ll get to graduate.”

Senior Counselor Susan Moseley said in 2003. the graduation ceremony was postponed for one evening, and in 2005, the ceremony ended just as a storm was approaching.

Cochran said the potential for rain won’t dissuade the Board of Education from moving graduation ceremonies from Centennial Field because the big venue allows all those wishing to attend the ceremony to come. If it was held inside Memorial Coliseum or the new high school’s gym, seats would be limited.