High School Graduates Return to Lawlor Events Center

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) — After much deliberation, the Washoe County School District (WCSD) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to bring high school graduations back to the Lawlor Events Center on campus at University of Nevada at Reno.

For the past two years, graduation ceremonies have been held on high school campuses due to covid-19 restrictions, and while some families and students prefer personalized graduation events, many factors had to be taken into account.

“If the weather is bad, there is no indoor option if we are on school sites,” said Dr. Angie Taylor, chair of the WCSD board of trustees. “Secondly, the schools have to manage it and put it in place and every school doesn’t have the option of having it in their location, because of their size or if you don’t have a football field, that kind of problem becomes an equity problem.”

Other concerns raised by the school’s police chief and principals include crowd management and traffic safety.

Trustee Church, which was against this motion at the start of the discussion, mentioned how concerned the families of Damonte Ranch and Galena High School were about the heavy traffic on Lawlor Road.

However, after hearing from other board members and presenters, Church changed her mind.

Student councilor Victoria Gomez said high schools should have their ceremonies at Lawlor and “everyone can bring their own traditions.”

The board may send a communication to the parents explaining the reasoning behind the decision and the factors considered.

The proposed graduation dates are:

Wednesday, June 8:

12:30 a.m. AACT

3:00 p.m. Sparks

6:30 p.m. McQueen

Thursday, June 9:

8:00 a.m. Damonte Ranch

12:00 p.m. Northern Valleys

4:30 p.m. Spanish Spring

Friday, June 10:

8:00 a.m. North Star

10:30 a.m. Hug

2:00 p.m. Wooster

5:30 p.m. Reno

Saturday June 11:

8:00 a.m. UP

10:00 a.m. Innovations Turning Point/Inspire

12:30 p.m. Galena

4:00 p.m. Reed

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