Graduation plans change

With a forecast of rainy skies Friday night, Warren County High School has altered its graduation schedule to hopefully find a break in the weather.

WCHS issued a statement Thursday afternoon, announcing the decision to move this year’s ceremony to 6 p.m. rather than its original time of 7 p.m. Graduation, as in years past, will be held at Nunley Stadium on the Warren County Middle School campus.

“The safety and comfort of students and families is always the primary concern of the administration of Warren County High School,” The announcement read. “Due to weather concerns and to allow for a greater potential window for the ceremony, WCHS graduation will now begin at 6 pm. instead of 7 p.m. Thank you for your understanding, flexibility and support.”

With the ceremony being moved back by an hour, students will now be required to load buses at WCHS at 5 p.m. The buses will leave for Nunley Stadium at 5:15, and should arrive at roughly 5:30, at which point students will arrive at the stadium and take their seats for attendance. The graduates will line up for their processional at 5:45, with the ceremony to begin at 6 p.m.

Accuweather.com’s hourly forecast for McMinnville, as of Thursday afternoon, calls for heavy rain throughout Friday morning, and a 75% chance of precipitation, including possible thunderstorms, at 5 p.m. The chance of precipitation decreases to 49% by 6 p.m., but increases back to 75% by 7 p.m.

According to contingency plans released by WCHS earlier this week, if weather prevents Friday’s ceremony from taking place, it will be rescheduled for Saturday. Buses will not run, however. Students are instructed to be lined up at the track at 5 p.m. and graduation will begin at 6 p.m. if the ceremony is postponed until Saturday night. There is no rain in the current forecast for Saturday night, but if conditions should change and cancel graduation a second time, the plan is to hold graduation Monday at the same times.