Severe Weather Could Impact Graduation Plans at Patriot High School

NOKESVILLE, Va. — The possibility of severe weather tomorrow is making an unwanted impact on graduation plans at Prince William County’s Patriot High School in Nokesville.

School Principal Michael E. Bishop in a letter told parents and students that Patriot staff is ready to implement a “plan B” for Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. graduation ceremony scheduled at the school’s football stadium. The contingency plan and would see the ceremony moved indoors to a gymnasium, prompting the issuance of tickets that determine who would be allowed to watch the ceremony from the gym and who watches it from inside the school on closed circuit television.

Bishop said the call to move the event indoors will be made my 10 a.m. Thursday, and an update on the location of the ceremony would be posted on the school’s website.

The backup plan comes as severe, potentially damaging weather is expected to move through the region on Thursday bringing high winds, hail, and possibly tornadoes.

If the graduation event is moved indoors, the ticketing system would work like this:

— Graduates should be dropped off at 6 p.m., proceeding to the auxiliary gym.

— The gymnasium and designated areas will open at 6:45 p.m. for families and visitors.

— Red tickets—senior families were issued seven red tickets to enter the gymnasium to view the ceremony.

– Blue tickets—visitors holding a blue ticket will be able to view the ceremony via closed circuit television in the auditorium and commons one. Other locations will be opened as needed.

— Handicap seating—prior to June 13, a red ticket was exchanged for a handicap accessible ticket. Handicap seating is available is available indoors. Only the individual who requires this seating, plus one other person with a red ticket, will be allowed in the designated area. There is not room for entire families in the designated handicap area.

In his letter, Bishop said his school’s staff has gone as far as to contact local TV meteorologists to stay abreast of the weather situation.

“When today’s seniors first entered our doors, it was as underclassmen, many of whom chose to make the change from another school. Despite our long-held plans to celebrate their Patriot graduation on Thursday, in our stadium, the weather might demand other arrangements,” penned Bishop.

Patriot High School is the only school in Prince William with a scheduled graduation ceremony Thursday evening.