Carla Clark | For The Republic Principal Mark Newell speaks during the Columbus East High School commencement ceremony at Stafford Football Field, Saturday, May 28, 2022.
As the school year comes to a close, about 1,000 Bartholomew County students are expected to graduate from local public high schools.
Commencement ceremonies for CSA New Tech, Hauser, Columbus East and North high schools are scheduled for May 26 and 27, which are the Friday and Saturday before Memorial Day. Prinicipals at all four schools said that there are no tickets required or limits on who can attend.
“We’re excited to celebrate our seniors in this ceremony and hope that the public is as excited as we are,” said Columbus North Principal David Clark. “…This is the one class that’s been through most of the COVID, so we got that class through and we feel very successful and excited about it.”
According to Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. Communications Coordinator Josh Burnett, CSA New Tech, East and North’s graduations will all be livestreamed on the BCSC YouTube Channel. Hauser’s graduation will also be livestreamed on YouTube, with the video available on the high school’s channel, school officials said.
CSA New Tech
CSA New Tech will have its ceremony at 7 p.m. on May 26 in the gym at Columbus East High School. According to Principal Mike Reed, doors open at 6 p.m, and attendees can park in the bus parking lot or the south student parking lot.
There are 70 students expected to graduate. Speakers will include Reed, BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts, science teacher Peter Warren, and CSA seniors Ethan Burton and Abigail Shute.
Hauser
Hauser Jr.-Sr. High School’s graduation is also set for May 26 and will be held at 8 p.m. in the school’s gym. Doors open at 7 p.m., said Principal Kris Fortune.
“The most convenient lot is the parking lot directly south of the main gym, but if needed guests can also park in the parking lot to the east or west of the main gym,” he said.
There are 85 students expected to graduate, and speakers will include the class valedictorian and salutatorian. Fortune said that Rachel Hoke is currently set to be valedictorian, with Kylie Mack as salutatorian.
East
For East, graduation will be held in the school’s gym at 10 a.m. on May 27. Doors open at 9 a.m, said Principal Mark Newell. Accessible parking for individuals with disabilities will be available in the bus lot. Other parking will include the school’s north and south lots, as well as along Marr Road.
There are about 400 students in East’s graduating class, including those who attend CSA New Tech. Speakers will include valedictorian Caitlyn Smith and salutatorian Anna Liimatta.
The ceremony marks the last graduation Newell will attend as principal of the high school. In July, he will become the Director of Adult and Alternative Education at the McDowell Education Center, and Michael Parsons, currently the principal at Clifty Creek Elementary, will become the principal of East.
“It’s going to be very mixed emotions,” said Newell, who has served as principal since 2008. “It’s always one of my favorite times of the year, watching the seniors wrap up their four years at East High School and get ready to go on their next steps, their journey of their life. It’ll be the last time that I get to do that, so very happy for them, but it’ll be very melancholy too at the same time.”
North
North’s graduation will be held at 1 p.m. on May 27 in the school’s Memorial Gym. Clark said that doors will open at about noon, and attendees are allowed to park “anywhere they can find a spot,” with the exception of handicapped parking.
To see a map of parking, go to bcscschools.org/northhs and click on “Columbus North Graduation Saturday, May 27th @ 1:00 pm.”
Limited parking for those with disabilities will be available in the east lot and will be monitored by staff.
“Seating for the physically challenged will be on the gym floor behind the senior class,” said school officials. “Due to limited space, only one able-bodied person may accompany each physically challenged guest. Faculty members will be available to assist special needs guests.”
There are about 500 students in North’s 2023 graduating class, said Clark. The count includes those who attend CSA New Tech.
Commencement speakers will include Clark, Roberts, valedictorian Jessica Meza Sanchez, salutatorian Flynn Keele and senior class officer Jayden Cross.
