Hats off to East Longmeadow!

Date: 6/30/2010

Hats off to you, East Longmeadow!

After what occurred at the graduation ceremony for East Longmeadow seniors on Sunday, June 6, 2010, maybe now you'll realize that it's time to secure a large indoor facility for this event. One certainly can't plan on perfect weather and that Sunday was a perfect example of that. We arrived at the football field for the outdoor graduation early enough (12:55 p.m.) to obtain handicapped parking space and found seating on the field. We learned that the ceremony had been moved up from 2 p.m. to 1:45 p..m to try and beat the impending storms; however, at 1:30 p.m., the principal announced that we would have to go inside. Everyone made a mad dash for the gymnasium, with overflow crowd being directed to the auditorium.

Due to a recent knee injury, I knew I could not walk the distance to the high school pushing my husband's wheelchair, so that necessitated moving our car. Needless to say, there were no parking spaces available, handicapped or otherwise.

After driving around several times, getting increasingly frustrated, we sadly came to the realization that we would not see our granddaughter graduate, and we didn't. (Perhaps it was just as well we did not make it into the gymnasium we might have passed out due to the oppressive heat).

Our personal experience is just one example for making a change in the location of East Longmeadow's graduation ceremony we're sure there are other examples. All those intended should have the opportunity to witness this very special occasion and not miss out, as we did.

Gordon and Gail Meron