Sunday storms create trouble, memories at outdoor graduations

Nearly half of Prospect High School's Class of 2010 did not have the pleasure of hearing their name called during commencement ceremonies Sunday after thunderstorms that school administrators thought would hold off made an early arrival.

The afternoon storm brought the ceremony to an abrupt halt with officials still calling names in the middle of the alphabet. Students who did not receive their diploma during the ceremony picked it up afterward.

"A lot of people were mad they did not get to walk at graduation or hear their name get called," said graduate Will Hall. "But they still had a lot of fun celebrating and still got their diploma, which is what really counts."

A professional photographer was set to take pictures of graduates after the ceremony, but because students were rain-soaked by the time they received their diplomas, photos now will be taken later this week, said Associate Principal Greg Minter.

"People afterward were pretty positive and pretty understanding," he said.

Prospect students and families were not alone in having to dry off after graduation Sunday. Maine West High School's graduation was interrupted by storms during a student speech, forcing everyone to move into a second setup indoors, said Principal Audrey Haugen.

Both schools used a lightning detection system to alert them of the potentially dangerous weather.

"It was quite an unfortunate situation," Haugen said.

With no limit on guests allowed to attend, Prospect's graduation had too large of crowd Sunday to move the event indoors.

"There was really no way to get everyone inside," Minter said.

The decision to stick with plans and hold commencement outside was made at 9 a.m. Sunday morning, Minter said. It is the first time in recent memory rain has spoiled the school's graduation, traditionally held outdoors, and it's unlikely to bring about change.

"We have always made the right call," Minter said.

Other area schools, including Palatine and Buffalo Grove high schools, hold their ceremonies indoors. Robert Hartwig, associate principal at Buffalo Grove, said it is something that works well for the school and the community.

Although their parents and grandparents may not have been thrilled with Sunday's downpour, Hall said that the rain only made Prospect graduates celebrate even more.

"The heavy rain made the celebration even better and people were going crazy," he said. "This is one graduation that I am sure no one will ever forget."

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