Perryville High School’s annual graduation ceremony will now be a ticketed event to allow families to better enjoy this milestone event. This year’s commencement will begin at 7 pm Friday, May 16 at Perry Park Center. Each graduate will receive 8 tickets for family and friends. f
“Graduation is one of the most meaningful milestones in a student’s life—a time for celebration, reflection, and recognition of years of hard work. At Perryville High School, we take great pride in making this ceremony a special and memorable experience for our graduates and their families,” said Principal Shadrick Shafer.
“Over the past several years, our graduation ceremonies have experienced overcrowding, excessive heat, and noise levels that have taken away from the dignity of this important occasion,” he said. “We have listened to your feedback and recognize the need for a more organized, comfortable, and secure environment. Additionally, in light of recent security concerns at schools in our region, we have decided to limit attendance at this year’s graduation ceremony to ticketed guests only.”
Mr. Shafer acknowledged that some families have brought much larger groups to previous ceremonies, and that community members without a graduating senior have also attended in the past. This has resulted in the crowd exceeding the Park Center’s occupancy limit, and disappointment that seating is not available for parents and grandparents of the graduates.
“While we understand that some families may wish to invite additional guests, our priority is to ensure a safe and intimate setting where our graduates can be honored without distractions or disruptions,” he said.