With the school year soon coming to a close, this year’s seniors are in for a treat. Graduation for the class of 2016 will be held at the Xfinity Arena in Everett on June 12th at 4:30 pm.

Previously, graduation ceremonies were held on the football field at AHS and students were only provided with six tickets for their attending family members. This year each student will receive 12 tickets for those attending.

For the most part, AHS has been receiving positive feedback about changing venues.

“I like it because we get more tickets,” said Breeana Vanbibber (’16). “It should be fun.”

However not all seniors are excited for the change, one of them being Grace Ziegler.

“I wish we had kept the tradition of graduating at our school,” said Ziegler. “Both my brother and my sister graduated from here and I wanted to do the same.”

This year, the graduating class is larger than previous classes and trying to fit the seniors as well as their family members into the stands on the football field just isn’t realistic. In previous years it has taken anywhere from an extra hour to ninety minutes for people to get out of the student parking lot at AHS after graduation, something that people were not appreciative of. At the Xfinity Arena, parking is much more accessible for visitors. There’s not only free street parking but also a parking garage just across the street for a small fee.

The issue of changing venues was brought to the community multiple times before, only to be shot down by community members that valued the tradition of graduation being held at the school. However, with growing class sizes, the community had to make a decision that would better benefit graduating seniors and their families.

“It’s just safer and easier,” said senior advisor Robin Knutson. “The first year will have quirks and things to work out; this is new ground for us.”

With this being a new event for students, there are some things that are helpful for seniors to know:

1. Seniors will load the buses before graduation at AHS around noon. Mrs. Knutson recommends eating a big lunch because food and drinks will not be allowed on the buses or in the arena.
2. After the ceremony, your families must take you home–students are not going to be bussed back to the school.
3. There is no reserved seating at the Xfinity Arena so if your family would like to sit together make sure they arrive together. Carpooling is suggested!
4. If you need more than 12 tickets for graduation you may request more by emailing Mr. Heinz.
5. Buses for the grad party load at 9pm at Arlington High School. You are not allowed to bring anything, including cell phones.
6. All guests over the age of 2 must have a ticket to gain entrance into the ceremony.

With all of this new information to take in, don’t forget to slow down and enjoy your last few weeks of high school! You made it!