Class of 2008 to walk at Ak-Chin park

Graduating seniors in caps and gowns will accept their 2008 Maricopa High School diplomas before family and friends at the Ak-Chin Milton Paul Antone Memorial Park, school officials said.

Historically, MHS has held its graduation on campus. Concerns related to ongoing construction caused school and district officials to consider changing venues.

“By having the graduation at Ak-Chin we are able to keep the ceremony near the city,” said Christie Mitchell, a senior class sponsor at the school.

The senior class, however, ultimately made the decision on where they’d be when tossing their mortar boards and tassels.

“They were given a ballot with the choice of having the graduation at Ak-Chin or Pacana Park,” Mitchell said.

“Once the ballots were in almost 70 percent of the seniors choose the Ak-Chin location,” Mitchell added.

This year, 160 seniors are expected to graduate in a class of 167, Senior Advisor Larissa Rzemienski said on Tuesday.

“Those few who are not going to graduate were fairly aware of their status at the beginning of the year,” Rzemienski said.

If you go:
What: Maricopa High School Graduation
When: 7:30 p.m. May 30.
Where: Ak-Chin Milton Paul Park, 46733 W. Farrell Road
Cost: Free
Information: Christie Mitchell (520) 568-8100

File photo