Buena High School previews graduation logistics, traffic controls and Project Graduation

Valerie Weller, public information officer for Buena High School, outlined graduation logistics and safety plans for the senior class.

Weller said graduation is scheduled for Thursday the 22nd and the school expects about 420 graduates. Each graduate receives two parking passes; Weller estimated that could mean roughly 840 cars plus staff and support personnel arriving for the ceremony.

To reduce congestion, Charleston Street will be closed from Colombo to Mohsen to all except residents and those holding parking passes; Weller said the closure plan aims to reduce traffic at the stadium gate. She said the city provides a free shuttle from the northeast corner of the mall parking lot (near Dillard’s and Applebee’s) that begins at about 4:05 p.m. and will drop passengers at the stadium gate.

Weller described Project Graduation, a long‑running community‑run, all‑night event for graduates that includes food, games, raffles and prizes and typically draws about 75% of the student body. The event runs through the night at the high school to provide a supervised celebration; she noted volunteers from service organizations and churches staff the event and that a dunk tank for the principal is part of the tradition.

Weller asked drivers to avoid the immediate stadium area if they do not have passes, to use alternate routes such as Julio Cesar or State Route 90 to access nearby neighborhoods, and to expect closures beginning in the morning and returning to normal later that evening. She said the school and volunteers are working to minimize congestion and keep graduates safe.