The Bainbridge High School graduation ceremony will be held in the school gym for the second year in a row Tuesday, May 20.
Because the ceremony is now held in the gym, there are additional etiquette rules that should be followed by students and guests so that all students can be equally and properly recognized. The ceremony was traditionally held at the outdoor stadium but because of weather threats, the ceremony was permanently moved indoors last year.
Bainbridge High School Principal Tommie Howell said all parents and visitors should arrive in plenty of time prior to the start of the ceremony at 8 p.m. Howell said he suggests parents be in their seats before 7:45 p.m.
“Once the graduates walk in the gym at 8 p.m., we lock the doors and everyone who comes in afterwards has to watch from the school cafeteria,” Howell said.
Tickets are required for admittance to the ceremony, but for those who come late, cannot make it or did not receive tickets, an online live stream of the event will be available on the school’s website, www.Bainbridgehigh.dcboe.com.
Tickets are required for all audience members, including small children. The ceremony will last from 8 p.m. to roughly 9:45 p.m.
Howell said all audience members should remain quiet during the announcement of names. After each row of seniors, there will be a moment for applause.
“Our audience will be quiet until the appropriate time,” Howell said. “The names will be read for one whole row and then parents can applaud. There should be no outbursts — once a row is finished, we will clap for that row.”
Howell said the officers on hand have been notified to confront any outbursts that occur.
Parking will be limited and officers will be available to guide visitors through the bus gate and to additional parking lots around the school.