By Emily Lock
This 2024 senior class has been through a lot. First, we entered high school during COVID-19: we were required to wear masks and social distance from friends. Being a freshman in high school is already nerve-wracking as it is but adding in a pandemic makes it all the more difficult. Dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19, ACT testing and the overall struggle of high school life, these three and a half years weren’t easy.
Mr. Karedes announced that the graduating class of 2024 is graduating Friday night, June 7th, at 7 p.m. after attending school that day. This year’s seniors will not get the last week off of school as was the case in previous years. I spoke with Mr. Karedes to find our why. Karedes reports that, “The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction demands that students in grades 7-12 attain 1,137 hours of instruction.” That totals up to 171 student contact days or 1,148 hours and 33 minutes. That many hours puts us over the state requirement by 11 hours and 33 minutes, allowing us a 2 hour early release for the Homecoming parade and giving us one free snow day or cold day without having to make it up.
Graduation has been moved from the usual Sunday afternoon to Friday evening. Karedes explain that, “Families have provided feedback that they prefer the outdoor location because they are not limited to six seats per graduate (when graduation is held in the gymnasium). Additionally, we work hard to coordinate graduation with surrounding districts, where students may have relatives graduating. Hosting it on a Friday night moves it away from interfering with other districts and under the lights addresses the heat problem.” Karedes understands that these new changes may upset some students and their families, but overall, benefit the community. No more awful sunburns and tan lines! Also, unlimited seating for family members is a great benefit.
Karedes expresses that “Even though the class of 2024 may see these changes as drastic, please know that we are still hosting a graduation ceremony and have unique opportunities just as each previous graduating class had uniquely to their graduating year.” In navigating the frustration among DDHS seniors these changes have evoked, Mr. Karedes and the school administration strive to provide students with as many opportunities as possible despite the challenges we all face.
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