CHS and LDHS seniors, schools prepare for tonight’s commencements
While school administrators are always excited about the commencement exercises that will mark their seniors’ graduation from high school, the sheer numbers expected to attend can prove daunting for those overseeing the details and logistics, but both Laurens and Clinton staff said the systems in place last year are expected to work well again this year.
Both Laurens and Clinton high schools’ graduations will begin in their respective gymnasiums tonight, May 31, starting at 7 p.m.
From the 370 seniors bidding farewell to Laurens District High tonight, valedictorian Callie Marie Orcutt and salutatorian Ella Gwen Orcutt will be among those featured on the program. Clinton High School has 190 students graduating this week, according to Junior and Senior Counselor Sallie Wiggins. The valedictorian for CHS is Stephanie Braswell and the CHS salutatorian is Lawrence Coleman, while Skylar Leopard will give the student graduation address.
“We allow all the seniors to write a speech and they try out for the graduation speaker role,” Wiggins said.
As for the parking, participating students have, as always, been asked to arrive early. Parking is not typically as significant an issue at CHS, but Wiggins said there are limited handicapped parking spots. Parking is allowed anywhere on campus but guests may enter only through the front door of the gymnasium.
Last year staff at Laurens District High instituted new parking and roadway closures to better manage the traffic and those same changes will be in place this year, according to Jan Coleman, with the administrative office of LDHS.
Traffic approaching from Laurens will be detoured from Highway 76 before it can arrive at the front entrance. In addition to the vested professional traffic crews hired to help manage the traffic, the high school’s NJROTC cadets will be in uniform and will help with parking.
