May 9, 2008

Dear Seniors, Parents, and Guardians:

Last Friday during a morning assembly, Seniors offered a number of suggestions for alternative graduation venues. With the parameters of having the commencement on Friday, June 6 so that the All Night Long Graduation Party would not be disturbed, Senior, Lyndsey Gilligan suggested Merrimack College’s football field for good weather and moving it inside to the Volpe Center in case of inclement weather. That promising suggestion and the Doucette Field option were the only viable locations for our needs. Moving the starting time to an earlier hour was also recommended.

Although the Merrimack College website lists capacity in the Volpe Center and the football field as being at least 3,000 people, the gym only holds 1500 and the stands at the football field hold 900. In addition, chairs are not allowed on the artificial turf. The rink, in which Merrimack College holds its graduation, is not available. Mr. Iarrobino, Merrimack College’s acting Athletic Director, clearly understood our plight, but he was unable to accommodate this scenario. He also mentioned that we are free to cancel our arrangements with Merrimack College next week if we choose to hold the graduation in Tewksbury.

In an effort to accommodate the preferences of the Seniors and their families, we will hold the commencement exercises at Doucette Field at 6:00 p.m. Torrential rain and/or lightning are the only foreseeable situations that would force the ceremony to be moved inside to the Ryan School cafeteria/gymnasium. Two important considerations, the diplomas and the TMHS Band’s instruments, may be damaged by heavy rain. The Ryan School area will only permit two tickets per student. Two tickets will also be included for guests to attend a simulcast at the Wynn Middle School. The reservation for the Volpe Center at Merrimack College will be canceled.

While not perfect, these arrangements should address the expressed requests of those graduating. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate in creating an exceptional and memorable event.

For an article related to the Tewksbury Graduation Location, enter the following link into your browser to read a current Tewksbury Advocate report by Chloe Gotsis:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/tewksbury/news/x356876809/TMHS-graduation-needs-a-new-location .

Sincerely,

Patricia A. Lally
Principal