School: Abbotsford H. S. - Possible Grad. Venue (17 Apr 2019)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Baker, Pattermann

----Source: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 4/17/2019

By Ross Pattermann

There could be a new venue for this year’s Abbotsford High School graduation, provided the class of 2019 can secure a proper stage for their special moment.

Members of this year’s graduating class came to Monday’s school board meeting with several suggested changes for the commencement ceremony.

Among the topics discussed was the decoration of senior’s mortarboards, and the possibility of moving graduation ceremonies from the smaller north gym to the larger south gym.

The board denied the proposal for decorating mortarboards. The board had already decided at a previous meeting to move towards a single gown color for all graduates and according to superintendent Sherry Baker, the move to keep mortarboard unadorned is in keeping with the spirit of the ceremony.

“Our goal is to really create more of a unity for the graduation classes of Abbotsford,” Baker said. “Although we respect individuality and personality, this particular day is not the place for that; it’s a formal ceremony.”

The board, after discussing the issue and providing direction, agreed to move ceremonies to the larger south gym - so long as the graduates can secure a proper stage.

“The board basically said “If you can make this work, make it work,” Baker said. “If you can’t, then don’t.”

“We’ll try it, and if they can get the stage, it could be in the south gym,” she said. “It’s going to depend on if we can make it work or not.

This year’s ceremonies will take place on Saturday, may 18, at 1 p.m., this giving seniors a month to find a stage for their ceremonies.