The message below was emailed to families of 12th graders on February 6, 2024.
Dear Shawnee High School Senior Families,
With graduation for the Class of 2024 only a few months away, I wanted to update you on a decision that we have reached on the location of our graduation ceremony. Shawnee High School commencement exercises will be held at Firelake Arena at 7:30 p.m. on May 16.
While we had planned for SHS’s graduation ceremony to return to Jim Thorpe Stadium this year, we could not guarantee that storm repairs to the stadium would be completed in time to honor our seniors with the special, tradition-rich experience they deserve. The most pressing obstacle we are facing is the press box that was completely destroyed on April 19, 2023, that may not be finished in time for graduation. Necessary repairs to other sections of the stadium also may not be completed by the middle of May. Our administrators and senior class sponsors agreed that moving graduation to Firelake Arena was the best option for this year’s senior class.
I believe you and your senior will be pleased with Firelake Arena for our graduation exercises. The arena has been the site of several past SHS commencement ceremonies, and our students and families have indicated their satisfaction with its location and amenities. In fact, Firelake Arena provides us with capabilities that our home stadium does not have, such as a large screen to showcase photos and videos of the Class of 2024 and a climate-controlled environment for attendees.
Our SHS staff will share more details about graduation with you and your senior soon. Thank you for your understanding as we move forward with giving you and your senior a graduation experience that honors you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Aaron Espolt
Superintendent