Indian Lake Local Schools will hold Commencement Ceremonies for the Class of 2016 on Sunday, May 22nd at 2 pm. This date is one week earlier than the originally scheduled graduation date of Sunday, May 29th, the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend. After talking at length with students, parents and community members and conducting an online survey, Indian Lake administrators believe Sunday, May 22nd is the ideal date to hold this year’s commencement.
During the August Board of Education meeting, members and administrators publically discussed the idea of moving Indian Lake’s graduation date from the traditional Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend for several reasons. First, several Indian Lake area businesses have for years requested the district change graduation ceremonies to avoid this busy holiday that signifies the opening of tourist season. Second, Sunday May 29th is a full nine days after seniors attend their last day of classes this school year on May 20th. Finally, all other local districts in Logan County have successfully moved graduation ceremonies to a Friday night. Saturdays in May are not suitable for commencement because of conflicts with scheduled Division II Baseball, Softball and Track and Field District/Regional competitions. There is a real possibility that Indian Lake senior athletes could qualify for these contests.
Conversations with the community and the online survey reveal an even split between keeping graduation on a Sunday afternoon and moving it to a Friday night. Administrators are seeking to satisfy the needs and wants of students, parents and the local business community by moving commencement to the extra weekend that falls between the end of classes for seniors and Memorial Day weekend in 2016. The Indian Lake Board of Education and administration will consider adjusting the date of commencement in 2017 and beyond based on the school calendar and the date of Memorial Day.