Nearly 1,900 members of Agua Fria Union High School District’s Class of 2021 are expected to attend in-person graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 15, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
“We are grateful that our partners at State Farm Stadium are working with us to plan the upcoming graduations for our district high schools,” AFUHSD Superintendent Dennis Runyan said March 31. “While there are a few modifications with audience sizes, and prudent safety measures, we remain excited to be able to bring this important live event back for the graduates and families this year.”
The COVID-19 pandemic, which was in its infancy last year, compelled the district to delay and ultimately cancel traditional in-person ceremonies for the Class of 2020.
This year’s ceremonies for Agua Fria, Desert Edge, Millennium and Verrado high schools will be staggered three hours apart beginning at 9 a.m., AFUHSD Education Services Executive Director Tom Huffman said.
The district’s newest high school, Canyon View in Waddell, opened Aug. 6, 2018, and won’t have a graduating class until next year.
The 2021 schedule and number graduates include:
• Desert Edge, 9 a.m., 405 graduates;
• Verrado, noon, 486 graduates;
• Agua Fria, 3 p.m., 441 graduates; and
• Millennium, 6 p.m. 549 graduates.
As they enter the home stretch of their high school careers, seniors throughout the district are busy applying for scholarship, preparing for final assessments and exams, picking up caps and gowns, ordering yearbooks, graduation announcements and class jewelry, and planning for their last days as high school students.
AFUHSD’s last day of school is Thursday, May 20.
According to information on school pages on the district’s website, aguafria.org, tickets will be issued to graduates, and seating will be in pods at the stadium.
Seniors also will attend mandatory graduation practices the week of their ceremony. Parents should check with their graduate’s school for specifics, as well as for information on awards nights and other senior activities.
Kelly O’Sullivan can be reached at kosullivan@newszap.com or 760-963-1697.
Kelly O’Sullivan News Editor | Litchfield Park& Goodyear @AzNewsmedia
Kelly O’Sullivan is a longtime journalist who joined Independent Newsmedia in January 2020, after returning to the Valley from Twentynine Palms, California, where she worked for eight years as a communications specialist for the U.S. Marine Corps. When she’s not covering stories of interest to Litchfield Park, Goodyear and other Southwest Valley residents, she stays busy rediscovering Arizona and photographing its spectacular landscapes and wildlife.
Agua Fria Union High School District,
AFUHSD,
Dr. Dennis Runyan,
Tom Huffman,
Class of 2021,
graduation,
State Farm Stadium,
Agua Fria High School,
Desert Edge High School,
Millennium High School,
Verrado High School,
Canyon View High School
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