RBHS principal Mark Maus said it is a tradition for CPS to graduate on Memorial Day weekend. Because of an air show that takes place that Saturday, RBHS will not be able to graduate that weekend as there will be limited parking available in Hearnes Center and the Mizzou Arena.
The Parent Teacher Student Association plans to hold the 57th Senior All-Night Party on the same night as RBHS graduation, which is open to all CPS graduating seniors. However, since the high schools do not graduate on the same day, PTSA organizer Kay Hake believes fewer seniors will attend the party.
“I don’t think it makes a difference if the graduation is held Friday or Saturday,” Hake said, but “ideally, we like to have it the night all seniors graduate so they have a safe place to celebrate.”
With 1,250 seniors graduating from all three high schools this year, normally 650 seniors would come to the party. Hake expects that number to decrease this year, however, because of the scheduled changes.
“I am going because I have continuously heard how fun it was from past seniors,” senior Sydney Strong said. “I think it will be a good way for all the seniors to celebrate graduating together.”
Graduation might be Friday again next year; however Maus said CPS board members have yet to finalize the date. Despite this possibility, RBHS senior Tyler Hill doesn’t think the change should affect students’ decisions to attend.
“I don’t mind having the graduation on Friday,” Hill said. “I think it will be more fun because we get to stay up all night with our friends.”
