Schools

Graduation 2013: Details on Wayzata, Orono and Westonka Commencement Ceremonies

Each local school has established its own regulations and schedule for graduation.

Hundreds of high school seniors from throughout the Lake Minnetonka area will put a celebratory cap on their K-12 education over the next two weeks. Each local school has established its own regulations and schedule for graduation. Details on each can be found below.

Mound Westonka High School:

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  • Date of Ceremony: Sunday, May 26
  • Time: 4 p.m. 
  • Graduation location: Mound Westonka High School Gymnasium 
  • Parking Information: Parking is available throughout our school grounds and area. Minnetrista Police assist in the parking process. 
  • Restricted Items: No air horns, signs, or adornments are allowed without prior approval of school administration. 
  • Ticket Information:  Tickets are not issued. Seating is on a first come-first served basis. 
  • Other: Rather than keynote speakers, seniors audition for the roles.  Two Seniors, plus the Student Senate President represent the class.

Orono High School:

Some 215 seniors are expected to receive their diplomas at Orono High School’s 62nd annual commencement ceremony, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, in Pesonen Stadium. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the OHS gymnasium, which has limited seating.

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Two students have been selected to address their classmates. They are Spencer Cumming and Dorothy (Dorcy) Jaffray. Also speaking will be Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Orcutt and OHS Principal David Benson.

Alcohol, tobacco and guns are banned from commencement. No tickets will be sold.If the ceremony takes place outside, seating is essentially unlimited. If the ceremony moves indoors, it’s first come, first served. 

Graduation will take place at Mariucci Arena Friday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will not be issued; seating is on a first-come basis. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.  

Current security measures at Mariucci Arena require that all bags, purses, camera cases, etc., will be searched.  Backpacks are not allowed. Lines will move faster if fewer items are brought to Mariucci Arena.

Families are responsible for getting seniors to the High School cafeteria to check-in—please drop your student off on the north side of the building. If your senior is driving themselves, they can leave their car in the front parking lot.

Scheudle of events:

  • 7:45–10:30 a.m. Senior Breakfast in Culinary Express; Graduation information and Senior Program follow in the Gymnasium. Seniors will not have access to any other areas in the building.
  • 4 p.m. Check-In for buses/senior party begins in the high school cafeteria
  • 5:30 p.m. Doors Open at Mariucci Arena
  • 5:45 p.m. Line Up of Seniors Begins in Lower Level Hallways in the Backstage Area
  • 6:25 p.m. Seniors Walk to Main Floor Entrances
  • 6:30 p.m. Commencement Exercises Begin
  • 8:30 – 8:45 p.m. Ceremony Ends
  • 8:45 – 9:15 p.m. Seniors Connect with Parents for Pictures
  • Line Up for Senior Party Buses in the Backstage Area
  • 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Load Buses and Depart for Senior Party

Click here for more information on Wayzata High School's 2013 commencement ceremony.


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