Home > Lawrenceville.Talk > Archives > 2006 > May > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGraduation showdown at Arena?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Starting today through Saturday, Gwinnett County high schools will salute more than 7,600 graduating seniors. Ten schools will do this inside the Arena at Gwinnett Center.
Biologically speaking, that means there must be about 15,000 of you just like me with 12th-grade offspring. Those of us who have spent $60 on a yearbook and $3 a day on school lunches that were barely eaten.
We went to not-so-tasty spaghetti dinners at the school and too-early-in-the-morning pancake breakfasts so that some segment of our child’s education could have a profitable season.
And now, finally, we’re finished!
Then we learn only eight family members will be allowed at graduation.
It’s like Willie Wonka giving out golden tickets to the Chocolate Factory: Charlie, Veruca, Violet and Augustus plus one guest only. The rest of y’all aren’t invited to the festivities.
So who should get to go to the ceremony?
The relatives who sent presents and checks for every birthday and every holiday for the entire life of the graduate?
Or the ones who have missed every birthday and every holiday but have sent four e-mails pleading for plush, air-conditioned seats inside Gwinnett Arena?
So far, only one person has a guaranteed seat at my son’s graduation. That’s my mother who has been talking about it every day for six months. This is due in part to her six-month existence in assisted living. Days filled with easily digestible foods and early bedtimes culminating with eight or nine prescriptions. Coming here is actually a plot she cooked up to escape physical therapy.
All the other blood relatives of the graduate will just have to continue arguing.
“X-Men” may open in theaters this Friday. But for my graduate’s family, split in half by divorce, it’s X Games at the Arena while we decide which eight family members are most important.
If you have a child in the exponentially growing Gwinnett County School System, expect larger and larger graduation classes in the future. Maybe your child will graduate from the Georgia Dome or Phillips Arena!
Finally, to my 15,000 fellow Gwinnett County parents of 12th graders, congratulations!
But who in your family will actually be at graduation?
Permalink | Comments (25) | Post your comment | Categories: Jacqueline Bullard
Comments
By MOT
May 24, 2006 07:12 AM | Link to this
You should feel lucky, actually. Move to Cobb where there are MANY choices available that would accomodate more family of graduates, but what we are allowed is four, (4)!!! tickets - that’s one for each parent, and then who-one grandparent and one sibling? We moved here from a school district where graduations were held in the area football stadium, usually in evening to cut down on heat. We were at the mercy of the elements, but didn’t appreciate how nice we had it that we could bring any and all we wanted. With a large family, there were years we had as many as 16 people there counting aunt, grandparents, cousins and all siblings.
For the 7 years we have lived here, it has been held in one of two churches. Now someone explain to me WHY a church??? I have not yet understood that. I have even asked the school board and no one can give me a satisfactory answer!!! “Well this is where we have held it for many years,” is all I can get. There is the civic center, more open, better parking, more seats, rather than this church down tiny cramped two lane road.
Last year for SOME reason we don’t know it was held at a bigger, better church with better air conditioning (when you get packed into a small church there IS no air) much more parking and four lane streets to get there. We thought hooray!!! We can bring more people, and we did!! Having 3 more kids to get graduated, I was ecstatic by the change of venue. Well, guess what? This year, the graduation announcements I have received from the Cobb area, have put it back again in the smaller, more cramped, more limited other church.
We are wondering what kind of sweet deal these churches must have with the school board. And what board member in particular attends the one that makes NO sense to use? AND why is it being held in a church when you can’t even pray? When it does not comfortably hold even the few they allow in?
When I graduated in the metropolitan area of Maryland/Virginia/D.C., all high schools used the University of Maryland coliseum. No limits, lots of parking, no weather problems, a headache to get to, but held everyone in comfort, no limits. There are too many choices in Atlanta to make families sacrifice other members and leave them out of a graduates biggest event. And look at the many younger siblings that get left out, those who SHOULD be the ones there, to see the example and whet their appetite for their own graduations! Shame on these school boards, they could do MUCH better!!!!
By Sam
May 24, 2006 07:53 AM | Link to this
Ya’ll need to come to Carroll County (on second thought, don’t) where we still have quaint outdoor “Mayberry” graduations in the football stadiums and everybody in town comes to share in the community celebration - even if they’re not related to any graduate. Life is good here and God has blessed us!
By WS
May 24, 2006 08:04 AM | Link to this
We also have stadium graduations in Griffin, and it’s a special experience. The whole family can come (as well as friends in lower grades) and it’s great to sit under the stars and cheer for the graduates. Everybody should do it this way.
By Wolfmom
May 24, 2006 08:18 AM | Link to this
$60 yearbook? Where did you get that? Ours was $85. Oh, but we do graduate on the Football field, so everyone is invited. Also, doesn’t that Arena hold 10,000 people, so why can’t eveyone come?
By Cherry
May 24, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
I agree that it’s bad to have so few tickets for family and friends that want to share in this special event. My problem is that I have two graduations the same night, and they’re about 35 miles apart. One is for my grandchild’s kindergarten graduation and the other is my nephew’s high school graduation. I want to go to both, and they both start at 7 PM. I’m going to go to the kindergarten grad first and then hit the road and try to make it to the other one before my nephew actually walks across the stage. Wish me luck!
By c
May 24, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this
I need to start weeding out the relatives now for my daughter’s graduation next year.
By Jessica
May 24, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
I would ask your graduate, but the following is who I’d want there if I were the graduate, in the order I’d want them to get the tickets.
Mom. Dad. Siblings if they are interested. Don’t use the seat for the five year old who’s going to distract you. I wouldn’t force them into it, but I would let them go if they wanted. Grandparents. Favorite aunt or uncle. Doesn’t have to be a couple, but the aunt from one, uncle from the other.
By anita parkerson
May 24, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this
My son graduates Saturday night at the Gwinnett Arena. I think we are given 9 tickets per student. His yearbook was $75.00 and I had to buy two because my daughter is a freshman at Collins Hill High School!!! I’ve got to say I’m dreading the ceremony. It will last forever and the grandparents get SO tired!!! I love the fact that it is held in a huge arena though. Now, if they would just serve alcohol….
By Senior Sponsor
May 24, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
I’m one of two high school senior sponsors for a school in Gwinnett and we allow our seniors 12 tickets and then they can submit forms for as many additional tickets as they need. We have students requesting 50+ additional tickets, and they get them. No questions asked. The arena is a wonderful place to graduate and we would not be able to accommodate everyone otherwise.
By mixed blessing
May 24, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
I have mixed emotions regarding tickets to graduations. After attending City of Atlanta graduations at the Civic Center over the past few decades and vowing to never attend another one, the thought of limiting who can attend is not so bad. The audience is always full of younger kids and immature adults who whoop and holler and catcall their friends and relatives to the point where you cannot hear anything that’s being said, let alone the name of the next graduate being called. Its shameful the way the invitees behave. If you have to give serious consideration to who you can invite, then hopefully the tickets will go to the parents, grands, aunts and uncles, and siblings who will show respect not only for the graduates but the other people in the audience. Who knows, maybe a church environment will invoke a bit more decorum.
By Beccaann
May 24, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this
I too am shocked at the behavior of some people at a graduation ceremony.
By Peggy
May 24, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Shiloh High is holding their graduation at their community stadium. Each senior is allotted 16 tickets this year with the new addition of visitor seats on the opposite side of the field. Plus, our next door neighbor has offered us 6 of his tickets so our son will have 22 family members and friends rooting him on…his dad and I, his 3 siblings, his soon to be sister-in-law(that is happening Saturday, 2 days after graduation), four grandparents, 3 aunts, 2 uncles, 1 cousin, 1 girlfriend, her 2 parents and the boyfriend of his younger sister—-oh yeah…I have two left over—- Not sure why you folks have limited seating at such a large facility. I am just praying it doesn’t rain…then it is only 2 tickets per grad!
By A.C.H.
May 24, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
My nephew is graduating Saturday morning from M. L. King High school. The graduation is being held at the Georgia International Conference Center; guests do not need a ticket for admission.
However, my son is a rising senior and this year the school that he attends (Mundy’s Mill High in Jonesboro) is ONLY giving 10 tickets per graduate. The graduation is being held on Saturday evening at Tara Stadium. This will cause a problem within our family if the school should continue this practice next year. We have a large family (on both sides), extended family and friends. It’s going to be VERY difficult to distribute the tickets. My daughter graduated 6 years ago at her high school stadium and we didn’t need any tickets. Everyone who wanted to attend did so.
By Rog
May 24, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
I am not srue about holding graduations in arenas. Yes you don’t have to worry about the weather but what ever happened to tradition of graduating in your football stadium? I guess schools like Parkview still understand the ties to traditions and the graduates being able to say good by to their school after they graduate. Congraduations to all the Parkview Seniors, job well done and good luck in college. The Parkview Community supports all of you.
By Jake
May 24, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
Cherry, Are you seriously going to chance miss part (or perhaps all?) of your one nephew’s highschool graduation, to watch a granddaughter “graduate” from kindergarden?
1 year of naptime, snack-time, and “class” vs. 13 years of school, and it is the last night that he will ever see some of those friends and classmates.
One will remember your being there or not for the next month or so. The other will remember for years. Kindergarden, 5th grade, and 8th grade graduations are completely made up to make money for those who rent the caps and gowns.
By A
May 24, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
First off, cost of yearbooks depends on the school (my son’s cost $65 and seems I was the lucky one). My daughter graduated last year from Norcross High and I will have to say the experience at the Arena was very pleasant. Anything beats sitting in a hot football stadium. We talked to friends before they were given the tickets to see if they were going to use all of their’s. Luckily we were able to round up enough tickets since all of sudden we had aunts and uncles showing up that didn’t get an invite. Your stress level goes up trying to get this done but I can only name a few events in my life that can compete with the day your child graduates. Good luck to all the Seniors out there and Parents as well.
By Dedicated
May 24, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
We had our h.s. graduation in our school gym. Parents only were allowed, and we survived. Invite who you want, and be glad you can have 6 more friends/family memebers than I did. The only thing that was important to me was that my parents came. My mother, who was extremely claustrophobic, even came long enough to see me in my only school play and to see me graduate. I’ll remember that as long as I live. I don’t remember who didn’t come, I remember the important ones who did.
By Chuck
May 24, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this
I teach at a Gwinnett high school and didn’t realize the yearbooks were so expensive for students. Teacher yearbooks were only $60 after a certain deadline, and onlt $50 before. Is it possible your kids missed an early-bird deadline that would have made the books less expensive? Either way, I say they should include yearbook prices in the junior/senior/etc. dues and senior yearbooks should feel “free.”
As for the subject of this blog, I agree that outdoors on the football field is wonderful. I used to teach at another Gwinnett County school, and they did it the reverse way of how I grew up — they had the kids on the field, family in the stands. I don’t know if/how they handled tickets. On the other hand, where I grew up unless it was raining there was no limit on tickets, because we had students in the stands, and family, friends, etc. on the field. A certain amount of rows were set up, but beyond that there were lawn chairs (and lawn) aplenty. There were also two HUGE tents off to the side with water and shade for the elderly, sick, etc. (Of course, try doing anything that might remotely damage a precious football field in Gwinnett….)
Sometimes it seems like “pomp and circumstance” is at the expense of common sense these days.
By NHS94
May 24, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
I just wanted my parents there. So I sold the other six tickets for $20 each. Made up for the yearbook and then some.
By penguinmom
May 25, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this
Cherry, Go to your granddaughter’s kindergarten graduation and don’t worry about making it to your nephew’s graduation. As a mom, I’d rather a grandparent make it to their grandchild’s event than an aunt make it to a neice or nephew. I don’t think I had any aunts/uncles at my graduation. Most teenagers aren’t going to really care much who else is there family wise as long as the parents are there. It’s about seeing their friends for the last time.
As far as the family members who are wanting tickets, give the parents/graduates a break. Buy a present, come to the after graudation party but don’t argue over getting a ticket to the actual ceremony.
By Mel S.
May 25, 2006 02:41 AM | Link to this
You’re complaining about 8 tickets??!!! My school was one of the first to graduate from the new Gwinnett Civic Center and we were only allowed 4 tickets. For years our graduations were held in the school stadium and if weather was an issue, the sanctuary of First Baptist Snellville. If people were able to invite everyone they ever knew in life the crowds and parking would be rediculous. Take pictures, record videos and send them to those that arent there. But for graduation, all you need there really are your parents. They are the ones who you reflect on. Siblings go because they are usually forced and the younger ones get impatient. Grandparents sometimes require an entire crew just to get them in the door (some not all). But when it really comes down to it, after sitting through 400 or even 500 names just to hear yours be called out gets tiring. I think a lot of High School graduations should be quicker. Dont worry about calling everyone’s name individually, especially as we start to be more diverse in cultural backgrounds and larger class sizes. Plus, all we were waiting for was to throw the stupid cardboard hats and get to the next party.
By proud parent
May 25, 2006 07:34 AM | Link to this
Last night was the most beautiful night for an outdoor graduation. The big orange jungle was the best site for a graduation in the whole country. surrounded by beautiful trees and the blue sky the night couldn’t have been better. To the several thousand freinds of the graduates that sat on the visitor side ‘thank you for your support’. my hat is off to the entire graduation committee for completing the entire ceremony in under 2 hours. the speakers were great. colleges all over are lucky to have parkview grads attending them. oh yes let us not forget that according to Newsweek Parkview High School is inthe top 5% in the nation for overall academics. just another reason parkview is the best school students could attend.
all the other schools who have indoor graduations you are really missing it.
By metoo
May 26, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
I don’t want to talk about this. I want to talke about L’ville police profiling at 29/124, pulling cars in parking lot on foot. Ya have to have a pc dummies!!
By Nic
May 27, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this
My memories of my Parkview graduation ceremony are not as fond. My aunt had a heat stroke- it was so hot outside! The year after my graduation there was a torrential downpour and it (now looking back as an adult)was a disgrace how the students turned the football field into a slip-n-slide and the ceremony into a recreational hour! I think the Arena as a venue for graduation ceremonies is smart planning. I’m not sure we parents realize how much advanced planning and logistics are involved for such an event!
By a new yorker
June 4, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
I can honestly say arenas are great for high school graduations, but how about hotels?! My high school graduation in 1983 was held at the New York Hilton Hotel at 9am. We were 1,075 graduates at 3 tickets per grad. It was wonderful…when I pass by the hotel I get flashbacks! So no matter where a graduation is held, it occupies a great place in our hearts. I wish all graduates the best!
p.s. dont 4get to take lots of pictures and please save your yearbooks