Graduation preparation

~Getting ready for ceremony proves to be lengthy process

SIKESTON -- Over 3,000 people are expected to witness 240 students receive their diplomas tonight during the Sikeston Senior High School graduation ceremony.

And as Sikeston High School Principal Tom Williams points out, preparing for tonight's big event involves somewhat of a lengthy process -- and countless people.

"Preparation for graduation starts in April," Williams said. "It consists of us trying to get all of the workers prepared and ready and making sure we're on the same page with maintenance personnel who clean the facility and get all the bleachers pulled out and chairs set up."

A variety of people have to contacted ahead of time, Williams noted. For example, police officers have to be contacted for the event for security purposes. Williams must also make sure Sikeston Public Schools channel 12 is running properly to air the graduation as well as contact additional staff from the district who help with the event.

"This is the largest graduating class we've had in some time," Williams pointed out.

And for the first time, graduates of New Horizons High School will be walking with Sikeston Senior High School graduates.

"Not all of our kids are walking," noted New Horizons principal Lynn Crader. "Fourteen will be at the ceremony, but we have 31 kids graduating for the entire school year."

Crader said the faculty of the alternative high school, which is completing its first year in the district, have also been preparing for graduation.

"We're just tracking students and checking credits. We are going to the practice in the morning. We sent out letters several weeks ago to students reminding them about their caps and gowns and to make sure they're going to pass their classes," Crader said.

Although New Horizons students attend a different school, no distinction will be made between the students at the ceremony unless it's cited in the program, Crader said.

"We're real proud to have them and pretty excited. It's a new experience for us," Crader said.

Earlier this month, members of the class of 2004 competed for the right to address family and friends during the 7 p.m. ceremony. Speakers will be Jake Marsh, Jeff Hay, Celeste Colley and Erin Box. Nathan Sisk will read the class poem he wrote about changing seasons. The valedictorian and the salutatorian will not be named until tonight.

Being chosen to speak at graduation is a high honor for students, Williams said, and many of the seniors compete each year in the process.

"Speakers sign up and there's a period of time they can request to try out for graduation speaker," Williams explained. "A panel of five people then goes through and screens those and takes the top candidates."

Students first wrote a poem, competing for it to be read at graduation. Once the winning poem was selected, students wrote speeches referring to one sentence or metaphor in the poem, Marsh explained.

"We had to record it onto a tape recorder, and then a few of administrative faculty members judged and picked and picked the top four."

A new addition to this year's commencement includes a statement that will be read to the audience prior to the issuing of diplomas, Williams said. It talks about proper conduct during the graduation ceremony, he explained, adding shouting, loud cheers and noisemakers will not be allowed and those who do will be escorted out of the building.

"This time is for the graduates and their families and friends," Williams said. "And it should be an honorable time."

Graduation begins at 7 p.m. in the Sikeston Field House with doors opening at 6 p.m.