By Eugene Caibal
Class of ‘24 graduation for all three high schools in the district will be held indoors today due to the possibility of dangerous weather this afternoon, according to Instagram posts made by Principal Michael Rinaldi of Westhill and Stamford High Principal Matt Forker.
In an email to the class of ‘24, Kaylin English, Westhill Senior Class Advisor, told students that “this decision was made downtown for all three high schools” after the National Weather Service had issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook earlier this morning, along with an Air Quality Alert.
While a decision like this has not been made in the recent community memory, the move indoors in response to thunderstorms holds precedent: Westhill Athletics holds a policy regarding thunderstorms that forbids outdoor practices from being held when thunderstorms are nearby.
According to an email sent out by Assistant Principal Ayala, the move indoors now requires that only two guests of each graduating student be allowed inside the main gym, while all other members may go to the Westhill auditorium, where they can watch the ceremony in a live stream.
A live feed of the graduation ceremony will also be streamed on Vimeo, according to Rinaldi’s Instagram reel announcement.
While the decision to alter graduation this year came as a shock to many within the community, Westhill seniors had already practiced assembling in the Raynor and Finch cafeterias before the decision was announced.
The majority of the student body at both schools, not just the senior graduating class, has reacted negatively to the decisions of their administration.
“I feel like having my family watch another live-streamed graduation is wrong,” Zachary Voros (‘24) said, echoing the sentiments of a graduating class that had their 8th-grade moving-up ceremonies moved to digital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Voros said his family had driven more than 12 hours from North Carolina to watch him receive his diploma, and having them watch the graduation separately would be a disservice to them.
“I was so excited to bring my whole family but now I have to let them know the disappointing news,” Danielle Pareja (‘24) said.
However, some argue moving the graduation indoors will do little to take away from the moment. “It’s not the end of the world because we’re all still graduating at the end of the day,” Ann Macenat (‘24) said. “Our families can still watch the livestream and they’re proud of us, so that’s all that matters. We’ll celebrate with everyone later.”
“I feel bad for friends and family who won’t be able to see it [happen] in person, but I think today will be special either way,” Tamara Segal (‘24) said.
Regardless of the sentiments held towards the decision, it remains unclear for many as to why administrators left the decision to move indoors until the last minute. Principal Michael Rinaldi along with Westhill senior class advisors David McFillin and Kaylin English could not be reached for comment.
“I feel like they had the opportunity for graduation to be [held] a different day where the weather would be more fortunate,” Ayo Job (‘24) said. Her grandmother had flown in from North Carolina to watch the graduation, but now “she’ll have to see it in a packed auditorium.”
“They knew that there was a chance of rain but chose to take chances, but now people are outraged,” Job said.