A Time for Great Celebration
This year’s graduation ceremony will be held on the lawn in front of Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium on Friday, June 10, at 10 a.m. The formal graduation procession begins at Straus Library, where each student receives a flower. A bagpiper then leads the faculty and seniors in a march to their seats. Tradition also dictates that Milton seniors vote for one boy and one girl to speak on behalf of the class at graduation. Diplomas at Milton are given in random order, and the last student to graduate is given a sock of quarters—one from each classmate. View last year’s sock recipient. After the ceremony, students say farewell to faculty, who have formed a receiving line. In the event of heavy rain, the ceremony will move into the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center.
The Academy is also hosting a reception in the Schwarz Student Center for graduating students and their parents from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Thursday, June 9. Milton’s a cappella groups will accompany this reception, so that parents may have one last chance to witness some of the many talents in this class.
Below are important dates for seniors and details about the graduation ceremony and surrounding events.
Important Details About Graduation
Invitations
Every Class I student will receive five graduation invitations in addition to the invitation that we will send to you next week. Please note, however, that invitations are not necessary to attend graduation, so students may invite as many guests as they choose. Seating is unlimited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Sun plan
If the weather is good – and it will be – the graduation ceremony will take place on the lawn in front of the Robert Saltonstall Gym. The stage will be located on the grass closest to the Chapel steps, and Class I students will sit in the front facing the audience. Students in Classes II-IV sit in sections on the sides, invited guests, trustees and faculty sit in the first section of audience seats, and graduates’ families and friends use the seats immediately behind the faculty.
Rain plan
The ceremony will take place in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center (FCC) if it rains. The seating arrangements will replicate the arrangements for the outdoor ceremony. The size of the FCC allows ample seating for relatives and guests.
Luncheon
A light buffet lunch will follow the ceremony.
Photographs
Milton’s tradition of awarding diplomas in random order may complicate some parents’ efforts to take their own pictures. We therefore arrange for a professional photographer to take pictures of each graduating senior. You will receive proofs over the summer, at which time you can decide whether or not to order copies. You are under no obligation to make a purchase.
Parking and traffic
We will make special arrangements for parking and traffic for graduation. All parking will take place on Upton Field and in the Junior Building parking lot. Our staff, with assistance from the Milton police, will direct you. Please do not park on Voses Lane, Randolph Avenue or Centre Street. Because of the number of people on campus, Academy Road, which runs in front of the Robert Saltonstall Gym and the main campus dormitories, will be closed from 9:30 p.m. on Thursday until about 1:45 p.m. on Friday. Parents who wish to load belongings from dorm rooms during these times should use the access road behind the dormitories.
Handicapped and elderly access
If a member of your party needs to be dropped off close to the ceremony site or requires handicapped access, please communicate with a campus safety officer upon your arrival at campus on the morning of graduation and he or she will make appropriate arrangements. Please remember that no cars will be allowed down past the ceremony site after 9:45 a.m.
Graduation parties
We have entered the season of celebrations. It is a good thing for students to gather to mark this time, but such events should not risk the well-being of the young people whom we wish to celebrate. In their youthful enthusiasm, some graduating seniors may decide that alcohol and drugs are an appropriate way to mark the transition to the next stage in their lives, and they may exert strong pressure on parents to accept this impulse. We ask you to discourage this thinking and to resist this pressure. Underage drinking is both ill-advised and illegal. Please act responsibly if you host a gathering, and please help your sons and daughters make good and healthy choices.
Important Events and Required Dates for Seniors
Tuesday, April 22
Tuxedo Time on campus to measure for tuxedos, 9-11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 26
Class I morning assembly – Lovering Award elections
Wednesday, April 27
Seminar Day – 8 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 28
Senior Celebration – 3 p.m. (Quad)
Thursday, May 5
Senior Projects begin
Wednesday, May 25
Class I assembly – 2nd period. REQUIRED!
Wednesday, June 1
Class I assembly – 2nd period. REQUIRED!
“M” Club dinner – 5-8 p.m. (Fitzgibbons Convocation Center)
Saturday, June 4
Class I prom at the Boston Marriott, Long Wharf Hotel. Students convene at 6 p.m. on Saturday for an informal photo opportunity. Trolleys depart at 7 p.m. into Boston. Parents may pick up seniors at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning at the Schwarz Student Center.
Monday, June 6
Projects due (art work and written work)
Senior/faculty Baccalaureate dinner and performances at 5 p.m. Starts in King Theatre, a celebration for the seniors and the faculty, followed by dinner with the faculty in the Robert Saltonstall Gymnasium. REQUIRED!
Tuesday, June 7
Last day of classes for Class I (Classes end at 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, 6/8 for Classes II-IV)
Wednesday, June 8
REQUIRED MEETING, FOLLOWED BY GRADUATION REHEARSAL FOR CLASS I from 9:15-11 a.m. (Straus)
Wednesday, June 8 & Thursday, June 9
Senior Project performances – (Wednesday afternoon – 1:30-5:45 p.m., Wednesday evening – 7-10 p.m. & Thursday morning – 8:20-10:30 a.m.)
Thursday, June 9
PRIZE ASSEMBLY REQUIRED AT 10:45 A.M. (Fitzgibbons Convocation Center)
Remember that many of you will be honored at this assembly; please dress appropriately!
Chamber Singers farewell performance – 3:30 p.m. (Straus)
Principal’s and Faculty Reception for Seniors, Parents and Guests – 4-5:30 p.m. (Schwarz Student Center)
Friday, June 10
GRADUATION AT 10 a.m. Be here to line up at 8:45 a.m. at Straus.
