After hearing from students and parents, the suggestion to hold BGHS graduation in the high school football stadium has been nixed.
Superintendent Francis Scruci sent the following letter out to students and parents this afternoon:
“Dear students, parents, and guardians of the Class of 2021,
“I am writing this letter to inform you that based on the feedback we have gotten from students and parents concerned about moving the date of graduation, we have decided to keep the ceremony at the Stroh on BGSU’s campus on Sunday, June 6.
“When I approached the Board at Tuesday’s regular Board meeting, I was suggesting for consideration to change the date and to have an outdoor ceremony on our campus. The request was based on COVID restrictions and cost. An outdoor ceremony would have allowed us to accommodate more family members.
“The costs associated with continuing the ceremony at the Stroh, as in years past, nearly doubled. Please believe that our thought process was coming from a good place.
“I want to thank those of you who reached out and shared your perspectives. We heard those concerns and will forge ahead with our original date, time, and location for the Class of 2021 to be recognized in what has become the most difficult year and a half any class has ever endured.
“We apologize for any stress or inconvenience this has caused any of you.”
Last year, due to COVID-19, a graduation parade was held that traveled throughout Bowling Green. And while the parade was deemed a success, it just wasn’t the same as a commencement ceremony, Scruci said.
So this year, Scruci had suggested an outdoor ceremony will be held under the lights at the school’s football stadium. The outdoor commencement would have not only worked with COVID requirements, but it also would have saved the district the expense of using the Stroh Center at Bowling Green State University, Scruci said Tuesday evening when he suggested the stadium for graduation.
