There is always one wild card when it comes to outdoor graduation ceremonies - the weather. Conditions can be unpredictable, and no one wants to be outside in drenching rain. However, that is exactly what reportedly took place on Thursday, May 21, at two high schools in Tennessee, per the New York Post. The graduation ceremonies at Franklin High School and Centennial High School were water-logged because of pouring rain. The soggy circumstances infuriated some parents. They unfortunately had to endure the uncomfortable conditions just to see their kids get their hard-earned diplomas.
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Conditions at the Two Graduations Sound Like They Were Miserable
From comments made by attendees, the downpours really put a damper on what should have been a festive and memorable moment. According to WSMV4 News, there was a "torrential downpour" that just about ruined the occasion.
Safety was a potential issue as well. according to one parent. Per the outlet, the mom of a Centennial grad, Victoria Burls, said, "I was like nervous someone was going to slip and fall down the bleachers, like all the elderly people." Her daughter, Gabriella, was among the new grads.
Some elements of the day had to be put off because of the wet, stormy weather. Burls added, "My daughter is already planning to re-do photos. Like, she wants to go back and do photos on the football field and get all done-up again."
Another Parent Was Also Really Peeved
According to the outlet, another mom was also very disappointed for her graduate. Britney Garner tried to protect her daughter Akyla from the rain by going down to the field with an umbrella. Garner said, "My child who had put so much into this day to make it special, and was so excited. I could just not stand to sit there and see her get drowned like that."
The Country School Superintendent Issued a Statement
Jason Golden, the Williamson Country school superintendent, apparently realized that some grads and their families were upset and and even disgruntled. He released a statement. Per the outlet, Golden's statement said this. "Based on forecasts and radar, we expected to complete last night's ceremonies at Centennial and Franklin before the next wave of rain began, but unfortunately, changing conditions brought rain during the events. While the rain impacted those two ceremonies, it could not diminish our pride in our Centennial and Franklin graduates."
