ROCKINGHAM — Although school is out, high school seniors will have to get up early one more day — and a Saturday, at that.
Officials at Richmond Senior High School postponed Friday night’s graduation ceremony, which is traditionally held at Raider Stadium, and rescheduled it for Saturday morning in the gym.
“While we regret the necessity to move, we feel that student and community safety is the most important factor,” Jasmine Hagar, public information officer for Richmond County Schools, said in an email Friday morning.
The National Weather Service is calling for heavy rain and Thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday, with no less than a 60 percent chance of showers and storms through Tuesday.
Graduation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday when about 400 seniors will be handed their diplomas.
Along with the location move comes a decrease in seating availability.
School officials say students received four tickets for gym seating. Attendees must present those tickets to be admitted. Students also were given one ticket for the cafeteria, where the ceremony will be streamed.
Tickets are non-interchangeable.
Balloons, signs and posters will not be allowed in the gym, according to school officials.
This is at least the third time in the school’s history that graduation has been moved indoors, according to school officials. The previous times were in 1982 and 1986.
The Richmond Observer will have video coverage of the ceremony.
