School board votes to move 2015 commencement
The Apple Leaf file photo. School Board member Dr. Walter Newman congratulates a Wenatchee High School senior with her diploma at the 2014 commencement.
The Wenatchee School Board voted last night 4-1 to officially move the 2015 Wenatchee High School commencement to the Town Toyota Center on Saturday, June 6.
Board president Laura Jaecks voted no, suggesting that more student input be included in the final decision.
Principal Bob Celebrezze presented to the board, saying that he’s not surprised about WHS students’ “passion” for holding graduation in the Apple Bowl. But, board member Walter Newman said he doesn’t see any alternative, due to the Apple Bowl being a construction site, except moving graduation to the Town Toyota Center.
Because of students’ feelings about the move of graduation, the board urged Celebrezze to find a way to host an informal graduation event at the Apple Bowl sometime around the graduation ceremony. The district’s Director of Facilities and Risk Management Bryan Visscher said that might be able to happen — but not until the City of Wenatchee weighs in with the rules and regulations of holding an event in a zone under construction.
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Then the question is, why can’t the formal event be held there, as well? Board members and Celebrezze agreed that would make graduation a ticketed event, which is not in the best interest of students and families, and is very difficult to manage. The prospect of having to turn people away at the gate is problematic, Celebrezze said.
Seniors Jackson Powell, ASB treasurer, and Daniel Arndt told the school board that many students are upset about the move and that a petition, started by students, already has approximately 400 signatures in just three school days.
“I feel that the communication with the student body has not been thorough enough up front,” Jaecks said to Celebrezze after the vote.
Loading ...The Apple Bowl will be under construction during the scheduled graduation time, with construction expected to begin in March or April. The construction project will renovate the Pioneer Middle School locker rooms and grandstands attached to them, voted on by Wenatchee citizens in the district’s Capital Improvement Bond earlier this year.
Students will now be involved in the process of working out the details of an informal Apple Bowl event with Celebrezze.
Senior class adviser Brandon Harle said in an earlier interview not to worry about the Town Toyota Center — fireworks will still be included in the commencement there. Celebrezze noted that Eastmont has had a good experience putting on commencement events at the arena.
