Graduation Party Planning

Rain Could Move Graduation Indoors

Graduation will be in the high school gymnasium at 6 p.m. tonight.

The 216 members of Ledyard High School Class of 2011 will march into the gym to Pomp and Circumstance, performed by the Ledyard High School Band. Parents and guests with white tickets will be seated on the gymnasium bleachers. Blue ticket holders may watch by closed-circuit TV in the school cafeteria.

Irene Schultz, assistant to Principal Lou Gabordi, confirmed that with showers in the forecast the decision was made to move the ceremony inside.

Everything else will stay the same, she said, with the exception that fewer people may have the opportunity to watch the ceremony. Although only ticket-holders were to be allowed into Mignault Field, traditionally extra family members and friends could bring lawn chairs and watch from the perimeter.

The families of each graduate are given three white tickets and two blue tickets. Gold tickets for special seating on the gym floor are also made available by request for elderly guests and others who have difficulty walking.

As of Thursday night, it didn’t look good for an outdoor ceremony. The National Weather Service called for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday evening.

The town had been planning to use the old bleachers at Mignault Field one last time before replacing them this summer. Now it appears that the old bleachers have already have seen their last big crowd.

Indoors or out, however, the night will belong to the Class of 2011.

Following the procession into the gymnasium, the National Anthem will be performed by the Senior Chorale, with April Flemming conducting.

Senior Class President David Tang will address the class, the first of a number of remarks offered by Ledyard Scholars Jilian Comstock, Sarah Woodruff, Basil Polsonetti, Austin Walker, Breanna Brown and Senior Class Valedictorian David Sindel.

Ledyard High School Principal Lou Gabordi will speak to the graduates, followed by the presentation of awards. Finally, diplomas will be presented to graduates by Board of Education Chairwoman Sharon Hightower, schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Graner, and assistant principals William Turner and Amanda Fagan.

Parents will have time after the ceremony to greet their graduates for pictures, hugs and best-wishes before class members head off for an all-night graduation party at an undisclosed location.

Graduation Party Planning Checklist | Candy Wrapper Store

First thing first – start with the Graduation Announcement and then the Graduation Party Invitation: A graduation announcement ‘announces’ where and when the person will be graduating, with a presumed invitation to the graduation ceremony. A graduation party invitation is just that – an invitation to a party. The graduation announcement precedes the graduation party invitation in terms of when they are sent. I recommend sending out the announcement at least 6 weeks before the formal graduation ceremonies and the graduation party invitation at least 3 weeks before the party.

Email announcement and party invitations are acceptable, easy to do, and can be free. But be careful: It is perfectly acceptable to send your graduation announcements and invitations via email. However, if you do opt for this route, and you wish to include both friends and their parents, make sure that you send the email to the parents and the graduate’s friend. Although the graduate will most likely have his or her friends’ email addresses readily available – you can’t count on the friend to convey the party invitation to their parents. For this reason, and because I feel a formal invitation is a bit nicer, I would recommend going with a written invitation that is sent in the mail.

Decide what you will serve: One of the questions I often hear people ask when they are discussing the graduation parties they’ve been invited to is “do you think they are serving a meal or should I eat before I arrive”. Take the mystery out of it and state on your invitation if lunch or dinner will be served. Otherwise your guests will assume that appetizer-type foods will be served. You can even be more specific by listing the food details: “Big Barbecue Planned” “Come for Coffee and Cake” or “Endless Buffet – Come Hungry.” Considering that many families are invited to multiple graduation parties on the same day during the graduation season your guests may not eat as much as you would expect. So I always advise having lots of storage containers and bags on hand in case you do find yourself with plenty of leftovers. And if you have too much for just your family – I’m confident that your friends and family will be happy to take some home.

Will there be decorations? This largely depends on whether the graduation party will be held outside or in? If it is inside – then it is a bit easier to hang decorations (party supply stores have many to choose from). Whether inside or outside I recommend you put centerpieces on the table. The simplest, but often the nicest, is simply a vase of fresh flowers in the school colors (or something close to it). If you can’t get fresh flowers in the needed colors try a craft store for fabric flowers. Usually the color selection is quite large. Confetti on the table is also a fun touch. Balloons in the school colors are terrific too – ask your party supply store to arrange them in balloon bouquets for even a more festive look. And make sure you let your guests know that they have arrived at the correct location by putting balloons (mylar or latex) and/or a banner at the front door.

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