Principal Magin addresses Blackwell High Graduation controversy

Blackwell High School’s graduation is typically the talk of the town, but 2024’s impending graduation has stirred up more “talk” than usual.

Earlier this month, Blackwell High School announced that their 2024 graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday May 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

…in the newly renovated auditorium, which courted controversy online among parents and families concerned about space, many of whom have sent out invitations for their seniors months in advance.

Many parents had assumed that graduation would be held on the Blackwell High School football field, despite it only being held there for two years in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic occupancy restrictions and concerns.

The 2023 graduation ceremony, initially slated for the football field, was moved into the auditorium.

“It has been brought to my attention that somehow, someway, invites were sent out stating that the 2024 graduation would be held on the football field. I can say that I was never asked for any input at any time about invites or the location,” said Magin, “whoever made that decision [on naming the football field as the graduation location] could have simply asked. I am sorry that happened, but I cannot answer a question that I was not even asked in the first place.”

Magin continued:

“When folks say ‘it has always been in the football field’. In point of fact, only because of Covid was it ever moved to the field, that was 2020. Blackwell Schools started in 1893 in a small frame building with just 52 students in Attendance. By the 1930's the school system had 6 elementary schools, a junior high and a high school. The graduations were held in the old high school, now BMS Auditorium. When the new high school was built in 1962, ALL graduations were held in the Auditorium until 2020. So by moving back to the Auditorium, we are actually going back to the rich tradition of Graduations by the Blackwell Public Schools.”

The decision regarding Graduation 2024’s location was made at the April 8th meeting of the Blackwell Board of Education and then addressed in a letter released Monday, April 15, by Blackwell High School Principal Gerry Magin.

The letter, detailing all of the 2024 graduation information, is required to be signed by parents and students before they receive their graduation tickets.

“After spending roughly $1 million to upgrade the Auditorium it is a perfect way to showcase the new lights, seats, sound system, and overall ambiance. It no doubt provides a more intimate venue for this ceremony,” Magin explained.

The renovations to the Blackwell High School Auditorium include the aforementioned new seats which have been reduced from 940 to 850.

“There are 850 seats, NOT 1000 as some have stated,” said Magin.

“Originally there were 990 seats, then when the sound box in the back was installed it dropped the seating to 940 or so. the new seats are larger, they all work correctly. The aisles are now ADA compliant, that is Federal Law. That took some room away naturally.”

The Class of 2024 numbers in the low 60’s and students will be given 12 graduation tickets each and are allowed to freely give away their tickets to any student who might need more, Principal Magin explained in the letter.

Alternatively, the students may turn their spare tickets directly back into the office by May 10 which will be redistributed two at a time until all tickets have been given away.

Graduation will also be live-streamed via the Blackwell High School Facebook Page for those unable to make it in person.

“Investigating previous years from the 1960s through the 2000s, classes were sometimes given as low as 7 tickets when using the auditorium,” said Magin.

In the letter addressed to parents and students, Blackwell High School also detailed the rules for 2024’s ceremony:

No air horns will be allowed, attendees must be seated, everyone must have a ticket including “lap babies”, there will be no yelling out individual names while presenting diplomas, and attendees are also instructed to let ALL graduating students clear the aisles during the recessional before the cap toss as students will be instructed to wait several minutes for the auditorium to clear out for the toss.

Addressing the comments and concerns about graduation and the rules in place, Principal Magin explained:

“No air horns: is a ceremony, not a sporting event. Requiring guests to be seated: fire code dictates we must have aisles cleared, as well as helping us getting an accurate count of attendees to maintain our occupancy limit.”

Magin continued:

“Tickets being required even for lap babies, There is by law, an occupancy rule, every person, even babies, count against the maximum allowed. It is not because I hate babies or worry about crying.”

Regarding the yelling audience being discouraged, Magin said, “ If we have to wait each time a name is called for everyone to stop yelling, air horns, etc. then it will take many hours to get through graduation, which nobody wants.”

And finally he addressed audiences waiting for the graduates to clear the room before exiting:

“This is so that everyone can then go outside and get a picture(s) of the cap toss. Plus each family is excited to see their graduate, be respectful and give ALL graduates equal access to leave.”

“Some have , unbelievably, claimed we hate our students,” Magin said regarding the backlash to the established rules.

“We LOVE our students, we enjoy them daily, we champion their accomplishments, We routinely showcase their academic and extracurricular triumphs. We strive to have a safe, high level academic school. Proof is in the fact we are heads and shoulders the best High School in Kay County. Rules are part of life. We may not always agree with them, but we ALL have some rules and decorums to follow. “

Attendees not cooperating with the rules may be removed from the ceremony.

“Graduation is a joyous time,” said Principal Magin, “and we want the focus to be on the graduates. The Class of 2024 has shown great resilience through the COVID pandemic, the on-going renovations, the Epic Ice Stor, snow events, and the shuffling of class rooms that have been a result of the remodeling. It will be a wonderful time to honor them.”