Photo Illustration by Sonya Sud

The original graduation date for the Class of 2024 was set to be May 29 at the Chaifetz Arena. However, on Aug. 3, the BOE voted to change Graduation to May 11. When Rockwood posted about the change on Facebook, many parents took to the comments to voice their concerns and support.

At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Graduation was set for May 29 at the Chaifetz Arena. An updated date was released on Aug. 3, revealing that Lafayette’s seniors will graduate earlier, on May 11 at The Family Arena. 

Though this was a decision made at the district level, Assistant Principal Tim Jones, Class of 2024 Principal, shared why the change was made. 

“[Graduation] was going to be [later]. The problem is the seniors [were] going to get done, and three weeks later there [was] going to be Graduation. We needed to find someplace to get all Rockwood high schools in [early] May,” Jones said. 

When the new date was announced, many parents raised concerns about conflicts with the new date including college Graduations and concerns about AP exams.

“Hello Rockwood BOE – What do I tell my kids when I have to choose between [two] very important milestones? I’ll have a high school and college graduate in the 2024-2025 school year (which has also been approved per this post). It’s widely known that Missouri area colleges and bordering states have college graduation this weekend. Of all possible weekends, why would you choose this specific weekend for high school graduation? In addition, why would we want students graduating when they have not completed important AP exams (and test preparation needed for those exams). Let’s please review and reconsider the possibilities of dates for all of the students and families,” a parent commented on Rockwood’s Facebook post about the change.

However, some parents understood the change.

“The fact is people are going to complain, no matter what,” another parent commented on the same post. “Is this ideal for all? No, it never is. With that said, please be kind to those who answer the phones at the district office or [high school] that many will call and complain to. They did not make the decision.”

Additionally, while most students will be able to walk the stage at Graduation on May 11, some student-athletes will be out of town competing. So, for student athletes only, there will be an alternate ceremony held at Lafayette on May 14. This alternate date will include athletes from Marquette and Eureka as well.

“We have senior athletes that will be affected by the graduation on May 11. So, for those students from Lafayette, they can come to the alternate graduation, which is Tuesday, May 14,” Jones said. 

Senior Sagan Alsop is one of the student athletes affected by the new graduation date.

“When I first heard about the [alternative Graduation] I was in disbelief. Like I didn’t think it was real. You would assume they wouldn’t [change] it to where they know people are going to miss Graduation,” Alsop said.

However, Jones said sports weren’t a consideration when determining a date

“Central office are the ones who make the call. They [had] to reserve the [arena] for four schools, not one. They don’t work around the MSHAA calendar. The activities are extracurricular, not regular-curricular. When you do an extracurricular activity, you [have] to realize that there is going to be a sacrifice sometimes,” Jones said

Over time, Alsop has come to terms with the alternative graduation.

“I guess it’s fine. It’s not like I’m doing anything else May 14. I would have definitely preferred to have graduated with everyone else though,” Alsop said.