Graduation is a momentous occasion for seniors in high school who are moving on to a new chapter of their lives. Everything about graduation, from the speech to the gowns to the location, becomes a tradition in itself.
OHS has typically held its graduation ceremony at State Farm Stadium, where size and familiarity have provided several lasting benefits. However, for 2025, OHS was required to change locations to the Desert Diamond Arena due to scheduling conflicts.
“A lot of us have been looking forward to graduation, and State Farm is a big stadium, and now we’re not doing it there, so it was kind of surprising,” said Mythri Konatham, senior.
Students, along with staff, have been questioning the reason behind the conflict, especially with it being a relatively short-notice change.
“They won’t give us the reason why we were bumped, and I’m curious myself because O’Connor is the best school, and our seniors deserve the best,” said Justin McLain, assistant principal.
Graduation is a celebration of the students and their accomplishments, so naturally, any sudden changes can cause a spark of surprise and possible concern.
“You spend 12 years in school, so it is a build-up, and graduation is talked about so much that automatically you just kind of look forward to it,” Konatham said.
Although a location change can elicit various emotions, it is vital to remember the true meaning and importance behind graduation.
“The most important part of graduation is the ceremony and recognition of the seniors’ accomplishments and getting to this moment in time,” said Kelly Simon, English teacher.
“I don’t think location dictates how good the ceremony is going to be.”
The OHS faculty is facing some obstacles with the difference in size of the new location, but they continue to remain optimistic and excited to experience a new place and the benefits it might offer.
“It does create some more logistical challenges with trying to squeeze everyone in there with the students and then the smaller stage, so the smaller venue is not as convenient, but it might work out better,” McLain said.
Staff members who have attended graduation ceremonies in the past are expecting the Desert Diamond Arena to possibly provide an even better experience for attendees.
“I think it is going to be more intimate. I think the football stadium is great because of the size and not having to worry about numbers of seats, but even with the number of attendees we have, it is not going to fill that whole arena, and I think it is going to make it more intimate and not seem so expansive,” Simon said.
For many people, a major concern for the Desert Diamond Arena is the fact that it is smaller than State Farm Stadium. However, OHS is confident that there will be plenty of room for all of the students, staff, friends, and family.
“We like to keep the seating open so that the students can invite as many friends and family that they want, because it is a really big deal and special celebration to honor all the hard work that the students have done academically at school, and all of that is still possible at the new location,” McLain said.
Although there was an initial shock to the news of a shift in location, students are beginning to see that change can be beneficial, and they are excited to finally walk across the stage.
“Now that we’ve known about the venue change, it’s not too big of a deal. It was a surprise, but it’s ok,” Konatham said.
It is important to continue to preserve the traditions of graduation so that seniors can have the full experience they have dreamed of since starting school.
“The family, the friends, the photos, the cap, the gown, the throwing of the cap at the end, the moving the tassels, the senior speech, the graduation song, the national anthem, the speech by the principle; all of that is the same,” McLain said.
