Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Graduation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Edward Little graduation moved indoors; district says last-minute pivot accommodated families
Summary
After weather forced a change of venue, Edward Little High School's graduation was held at Norway Savings Bank Arena; the district reported it accommodated roughly 2,400 attendees, increased family tickets and staged a project graduation event for students.
Edward Little High School’s graduation was relocated to Norway Savings Bank Arena at the last minute because of weather, and district leaders told the Auburn School Committee on June 4 that the pivot allowed more families to attend and the ceremony to proceed smoothly.
Principal Ackley said the move—coordinated with Auburn Public Works, Norway Savings Bank Arena and local vendors—permitted the district to provide each family a minimum of eight tickets and to fit "just over 2,400 people" in the arena. The principal described the seating footprint as roughly 1,200 floor chairs for general admission, just over 100 reserved seats and about 800 seats/standing areas in bleachers and elsewhere. AV support included two large video panels to help attendees in the back of the arena see the stage.
Ackley recounted the program theme, "growing through the seasons," and said salutatorian Carly Wang and valedictorian Nora Condit gave featured addresses. The district also honored three students from the class who died during their high school years by placing memorial chairs with white carnations and returning caps, gowns and diploma cases to families. After the ceremony, students attended a supervised 'Project Graduation' at Edward Little then were bused to Saint Joseph's College in Standish for organized activities such as inflatables, games and music; organizers reported students were picked up by families by about 5 p.m.
A highlight shown to the committee included a video of kindergarten students offering short advice to graduates; one child’s brief counsel—"be kind"—was singled out by committee members as emblematic of the night. Committee members thanked staff and community partners for the rapid logistical work to hold the ceremony and noted the district now has the Norway Savings Bank Arena as a viable backup for future inclement-weather contingencies.
The committee's description to the public included an acknowledgement that staff handled last‑minute AV and setup challenges during the meeting presentation.
