The finish line is well within sight for the Bartlesville High School Class of 2010.
On the evening of Friday, May 21, an estimated 440 graduating seniors from BHS are expected to walk across the stage and accept their diplomas during commencement ceremonies at Custer Stadium.
“High school graduation represents a milestone in a person’s life, and we know the upcoming commencement ceremonies for the BHS Class of 2010 will be very special,” says Dr. Gary W. Quinn, the superintendent of the Bartlesville Public School District. “I’m looking forward to this year’s graduation events, and I know a lot of other people are as well.”
The commencement ceremonies for the BHS Class of 2010 are due to begin at 8 p.m. at Custer Stadium. A free event, everyone is invited to attend as Bartlesville High School’s latest graduating class is honored.
“This has been an excellent class to work with for the last two years,” says Teri Brant, who is in her second year as the BHS principal. “This is a class which features a lot of unique individuals, but they really work well together as a cohesive group of students.”
Graduation day itself – on Friday, May 21 – will be a full one. Brant will lead commencement practice in the BHS Fieldhouse beginning at 8:30 a.m. Next, it will be on to the 2010 Senior Class Program in the Fine Arts Center auditorium, which is due to begin at 9:45 a.m. An hour later – at 10:45 a.m. – the 2010 BHS Senior Brunch will unfold at the First Baptist Church. Following the brunch, seniors will be released unless they have make-up exams or other school work to complete.
The BHS Class of 2010 will be due back on campus – wearing their traditional caps and gowns – for a senior group picture in the BHS Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. Shortly thereafter – at 7:30 p.m. – they will begin lining up for the graduation ceremonies in the BHS Fieldhouse. Then, right around 8 p.m., they will begin the ceremonial march from the BHS Fieldhouse to Custer Stadium for commencement.
“It’s a good process and one which we use every year,” says Brant. “I think we’re ready to go.”
Since graduation is scheduled to be outdoors at Custer Stadium, should Mother Nature prove to be unruly, a plan is always in place to move the ceremony inside. While seating isn’t an issue at the vast Custer Stadium, graduating seniors are given five tickets for seating in the BHS Fieldhouse and three for the Fine Arts Center auditorium. The tickets can be given to family and/or friends for indoor admittance in the case that graduation has to be moved inside. If that was the case, then the ceremonies themselves would be held in the BHS Fieldhouse, while they would be filmed and broadcast live on the big screen in the Fine Arts Center auditorium.
Overflow seating and a live broadcast would be available in the old BHS gymnasium if necessary, and tickets would not be required for admittance.
Regardless of weather conditions, those who plan to attend commencement ceremonies for the BHS Class of 2010 are encouraged to arrive early. The gates at Custer Stadium will open at 6 p.m. and all stadium entrances will be in use. Designated seating and parking for individuals with disabilities will be available in advance by calling Paula Amen at BHS (336-3311 ext. 5001).
Following commencement, all newly graduated members of the BHS Class of 2010 are encouraged to attend Project Graduation at Washington Park Mall. A free event, it offers a safe and substance free environment for the graduates to continue celebrating their accomplishment. An annual tradition, Project Graduation will offer plenty of food, fun and games throughout the night.
Only newly graduated members of the BHS Class of 2010 can attend – though parent volunteers and BHS officials will be on hand as chaperones – and the student check-in period will be from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. with a valid driver’s license or photo identification. The 2010 Project Graduation event will last until 5 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Graduation ceremonies for the BHS Class of 2010 will once again be filmed by Randy Kramer of Cable One. They are scheduled to air on Cable One Channel 17 on Saturday, June 5 beginning at 7 p.m.
Approximately 440 Bartlesville High School seniors are expected to be honored during commencement ceremonies for the BHS Class of 2010 on Friday, May 21 - beginning at 8 p.m. - at Custer Stadium on the BHS campus.