Graduation ceremony to be outside, weather permitting

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Dan Wilson may have won a Grammy for writing Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep,” but after cancelling his commitment to speak at graduation, the class of 2012 is left thinking they could have had it all.

Wilson, a Park graduate  who has worked with many famous artists such as Adele and the Dixie Chicks, will not be able to speak at graduation because of a scheduling conflict.

Senior Heather Cunningham said she was upset and frustrated that Wilson cancelled.

“I wanted him to come because having a current artist would have made my graduation better,” Cunningham said.

Principal Rob Metz said he also was disappointed Wilson cancelled.

“Dan Wilson would have been a great speaker, and it would have been cool to see him interact with the students,” Metz said.

Despite Wilson’s absence, the class of 2012 will graduate at 7:30 p.m. June 7. If the weather permits the ceremony will be in the stadium. If outside, all students may attend because of unlimited seating

However, if it rains the ceremony will move to the old gym. Seniors were given 10 tickets. The six yellow tickets are for attendees to watch the ceremony in the gym, while those with the remaining four blue tickets will watch graduation on a screen in the Auditorium.

Valedictorian Tarun Repala said he looks forward to listening to the music as well as being a part of the speeches. There are seven valedictorians for the class of 2012, all of whom have 10 minutes to speak as a group.

“We are developing a broad theme then each going into it in depth according to our personal experiences,” Repala said.

Student Council president Ben Verhasselt said he also hopes to be an entertaining speaker this year.

“I want my speech to be light and fun because I think people will expect that from me, but I also needs to send a message,”  Verhasselt said.