For the Bartlesville High School Class of 2009, graduation day promises to be very special – and very long.
The seniors are due to meet at 8:30 a.m. on graduation day – Friday, May 22 – in the BHS Fieldhouse to rehearse the commencement proceedings. Then, a day which is chockfull of special events isn't due to conclude until 5 a.m. on Saturday, May 23.
When it comes to special days, sometimes the fun can't be contained in a mere 24-hour period.
“I'm really proud of this class,” says BHS principal Teri Brant. “They have really matured over the course of the two years that they've been here.
“I think we'll see a lot of great things from them in the future.”
Graduation ceremonies for the BHS Class of 2009 are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 22 at Custer Stadium on the BHS campus. An estimated 380 seniors are due to earn their diplomas. This year's commencement event will feature speeches by BHS student body president Mackenzie McDaniel and senior class president Shelby Wright. Helping to usher the BHS Class of 2009 into the future will be Dr. Gary W. Quinn, the superintendent of the Bartlesville Public School District ; Bartlesville Board of Education president Marta Manning and Brant as well as numerous other administrators, educators and board members.
Of course, the stars of the show will be the graduates, McDaniel and Wright included.
“We're really proud of the students because they are in charge of the entire program at graduation,” says Brant. “For instance, we don't hire any outside speakers for the event. They do the speaking.
“I think Mackenzie and Shelby will do an excellent job. As students themselves, they can relate to those in the audience. It will make their presentations that much more special.”
The gates at Custer Stadium are due to open at 6 p.m., and those planning to attend are encouraged to arrive early to ensure good seats and parking. Dressed in their caps and gowns, the seniors are due to meet in the BHS Fieldhouse at 7 p.m. for pictures. They are scheduled to line up at 7:30 p.m. in preparation for their ceremonial march from the BHS Fieldhouse to Custer Stadium.
“Everything has been running really smoothly,” says Brant of early preparations for the ceremony. “We have been holding graduation outside at Custer Stadium for a long time, so we have a pretty good plan in place.”
Should inclement weather strike, the ceremonies will be moved inside to the BHS Fieldhouse. Seating will be available there as well as in the Fine Arts Center auditorium, where a live feed of commencement will be shown on a big screen for all to see. As seating is more plentiful at Custer Stadium than at the BHS Fieldhouse and Fine Arts Center auditorium, tickets will be required if the ceremonies are moved indoors. Each senior should have five tickets for seating in the BHS Fieldhouse and three for the Fine Arts Center auditorium. Tickets were given to each student as they received their caps and gowns.
If Mother Nature allows and the commencement ceremonies are held at Custer Stadium, family and friends will be allowed on the field to take pictures and personally congratulate the graduates after they have been formally dismissed. However, those who choose to walk on the field must have the proper footwear to ensure no damage is done to the artificial turf. Heels on shoes must be at least the width of a quarter. Shoes with a wedge – or those which are flat – are acceptable.
Designated seating and parking for individuals with disabilities will be made available to those who call in advance. The seating will be limited to the individual as well as one guest. Those who wish to secure seating and/or a parking permit may contact BHS principal's secretary Paula Amen at 336-3311 (ext. 298).
Following graduation ceremony rehearsals on the morning of May 22, the BHS Class of 2009 will head to the Fine Arts Center auditorium for the 2009 Senior Class Program, which is a special assembly. Next, it's off to First Baptist Church for the 2009 BHS Senior Brunch. An annual tradition, the brunch is scheduled to stretch from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and will feature a wide assortment of food and beverages including biscuits and gravy, potato casserole, egg casserole, fruit, juice and milk. A free event, the brunch is sponsored by the BHS Parent Support Group. During the brunch, each of the students will be given a special gift from the Parent Support Group.
“We want each student to know they are special,” says Ann Anderson, one of the chief organizers of the brunch along with fellow BHS Parent Support Group member Cindy Smith. “As parents, we're excited about this graduation event and the bright future which lies ahead for our children.”
After commencement has concluded, Project Graduation offers a perfect atmosphere for students to enjoy a fun evening together. Another annual tradition, it is scheduled to be held at the Washington Park Mall from 11:30 p.m. – 5 a.m. An all-night party in a safe and substance-free environment, it will feature video and casino games, an obstacle course, inflatables, a karaoke machine and plenty of food such as subway sandwiches, pizza and chips. For dessert, there's chocolate fondu.
“I would encourage all parents to send their students to Project Graduation,” says Brant. “It's a safe and fun place to be.”
Destined to be a hit at Project Graduation – which is a free event – is the money machine. Loaded with $4,000, students step into the machine, it is turned on and dollar bills fly all around them. Whatever they can grab and fit through a hole is theirs to keep. The graduates will have the opportunity to win money via the casino games and bingo as well.
“Between the money machine, the casino games and bingo,” says Lisa Johnson, the Project Graduation chairperson, “there's no way students can't walk out of this event with more money than they walked in with.”
Only members of the newly graduated BHS Class of 2009 can attend the Project Graduation. Students can check in between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. with a driver's license or photo I.D. Once they are in, they can't leave unless they sign out. Those who leave will not be allowed re-entry.
ConocoPhillips serves as the primary sponsor of Project Graduation. Other sponsors include the BHS Senior Service League, Arvest Bank, the Bartlesville Rotary Club, the 66 Federal Credit Union, the Bartlesville Masonic Lodge, Primary Care, Schlumberger, Paul Hood and Associates C.P.A., the Service League of Bartlesville Inc., United Linen and the Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Donations come from other organizations as well as some private citizens.
Though the mall stores will be closed during Project Graduation, the halls will be teeming with life. Mall ownership – General Growth Properties, Inc. – rents out the space for Project Graduation at a deeply discounted rate.
“Project Graduation gives the seniors one last opportunity to all spend some time together and celebrate in a safe environment,” says Johnson. “They love it.”
An estimated 380 members of the Bartlesville High School Class of 2009 are due to graduate during BHS commencement ceremonies on May 22 at Custer Stadium.
