Habersham Central High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, at Raider Stadium. HCHS principal Jonathan Stribling says administrators will make every effort possible to hold graduation at that time, however, recent history proves anything can happen.
Bad weather has impacted two of Central’s last three graduations. Last year, a sudden deluge drenched graduates and onlookers and in 2016 bad weather forced administrators to move Habersham Central’s graduation to Saturday.
Administrators this week released a detailed contingency plan that will be used in case of bad weather this year.
In the event of bad weather…
Principal Stribling say the ceremony start time may be adjusted by as much as two hours in either direction depending on weather conditions. That means graduation could begin as early as 6 p.m. or as late as 10 p.m. Administrators will decide by noon Friday whether any schedule changes need to be made. If so, they’ll announce those changes through local media.
If graduation remains at 8 p.m. and bad weather starts after people arrive, they’ll be allowed inside the high school and Ninth Grade Academy (NGA) until the ceremony begins. If bad weather persists, the ceremony could be delayed up to two hours.
If weather conditions prevent graduation from being held on Friday, the ceremony will be moved to Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m. in Raider Stadium. In the event of bad weather Saturday, graduation will be moved indoors to Habersham Central’s main gymnasium and the following will apply:
- Each graduate will receive 4 tickets for admission to the main gymnasium
- The ceremony will be simulcast to the NGA Auditorium and HCHS Performing Arts Center
- All seating inside will be first come, first served
Traffic and parking
If you plan to attend graduation, allow yourself plenty of time for traffic and parking. Carpool if possible. Handicap parking for the home side of Raider Stadium will be in front of the stadium near the Ninth Grade Academy. Handicap parking for the visitor’s side will be located near the visitor’s entrance gate.
The map below shows how traffic will flow out of the NGA and HCHS parking lots after graduation.
Camp Creek Road near the high school will be closed to thru traffic before and immediately following graduation. If you normally travel that way you should plan to use an alternate route. Also, keep in mind, traffic tends to back up on GA 365 North at the Mt. Airy/GA 197 South exit at least one hour prior to graduation.
If you want to avoid traffic tie-ups, arrive early and plan to stay late.
