REQUEST FOR RELOCATION OF THE 2025 SENIOR GRADUATION CEREMONY

We, the undersigned, students, parents, and community members of Swansboro High School, respectfully request that the administration consider changing the location of the 2025 senior graduation ceremony to a larger venue. 

CURRENT ISSUES:

1. Limited Tickets: In the previous graduating class, each graduate received only 5 tickets for the gym, plus 2 for live streaming in the auditorium. This restricted many graduates from having their immediate family present for the ceremony.

2. Overcrowding: The gym was packed last year, leading to uncomfortable conditions and some family members standing for many hours before the doors opened in order to ensure their seat inside the gym for their child’s graduation day.

3, Ineffective Supervision: There were issues with seat saving and overcrowding, with teachers unable to enforce the rules effectively.

4. Stress on Senior Marshalls: Rising senior marshals were put in a difficult position, dealing with rude and non-compliant family members while trying to enforce seating rules.

5. Excluded Family Members: Some graduates had to make difficult choices about which family members could attend in person, leaving others to watch a live stream in a separate location.

6. Small Town Dynamics: Swansboro is a small town where everyone knows each other, complicating the enforcement of seating rules as teachers and students are put in difficult positions when dealing with acquaintances and neighbors.

7. Military Families: Swansboro High School has a significant number of military families due to its proximity to a military base. Graduation is an important opportunity for these families to reunite, with relatives traveling from all over the country and sometimes from around the world to attend this special occasion. However, the current venue's limited capacity makes it difficult to accommodate the extended families of military personnel, who often have to travel long distances to be present, causing additional logistical and emotional stress.

PROPOSED SOLUTION:
We propose moving the graduation ceremony to a larger venue to accommodate the largest graduating class in the school’s history and to ensure a more inclusive and comfortable experience for all attendees. Possible venues could include:

• Swansboro High School Football Field: Provide chairs for the graduates on the field itself, with family in the stadium on both sides. Additional seating can be arranged on the sides if needed. Set up a stage for administration, speakers, and the walk across the stage.
• Coastal Carolina Community College Graduation Lawn
• Grainger Stadium: (the closest large, covered stadium, concerning the high school)

We believe the best location would be Swansboro High School's Football Field. This option allows graduates to celebrate their achievements at their own school, creating a sense of pride and familiarity. It is also the most cost-effective solution, with the school providing chairs and using senior fundraising funds for a rented stage. By moving to a larger venue, each graduate would be able to invite more family members, ensuring that everyone can celebrate this significant milestone together.

We are confident that making this change will greatly enhance the graduation experience for students and their families, providing a more dignified and enjoyable celebration.