-Graduation 2013

by S. LeBlanc

The rumors are true, graduation is really being pushed back to a later date.

The school's principal, Sharon Ann McCollum, really had no say in the date being pushed back from the date that was posted in the official calendar at the start of the school year. Graduation is now scheduled for the 15th of June; it was originally set for the 9th. The Commissioner of Education, Dr. LaVerne Terry, decided to hold the event a week later.

When asked if the change would cause any problems, the school's principal responded, “I don't know of any problems this will create. It isn’t like this [date] had been moved to May. People have been emailing me and asking questions.”

One senior said, “Families may have a more difficult time scheduling flights to come to the graduation if they live away because of financial issues; the price of airline tickets go up [as summer approaches].”

When asked what graduation means to them, senior Tremaine George said, “Getting out of school, and finally being able to proudly say I am an Ivanna Eudora Kean High School graduate.”

“Graduation is going be the happiest day of my life. The day all my hard works pays off,” said Mia Blyden.

“My wish is that my whole mainland family would be able to come to this memorable day and the new graduation date doesn’t conflict with that,” said Ayanna Miller.

For graduation to be a success, different sub-committees come together to plan for this huge event. The different sub-committees are decorations, caps and gowns, reception, booklets, diplomas, and the alumni. In charge of these committees are Ms. Phyllis Warner (Librarian) and Ms. Bodecia Gordon (Business Teacher).

There are 220 students in the class of 2013. So far, the potential graduates have been measured for caps and gowns, taken pictures, ordered class rings, and given shirt sizes for Senior Honors Night. Everything seems to be prepared for a successful graduation ceremony.