Attending a Springfield high school graduation? Here's what not to bring

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
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Images of the 2023 Graduation of Kickapoo High School at Great Southern Bank Arena on the campus of Missouri State University on May 20, 2023.
Images of the 2023 Graduation of Kickapoo High School at Great Southern Bank Arena on the campus of Missouri State University on May 20, 2023.

For the second year, seniors at all five high schools in Springfield Public Schools will have graduation on the same day.

Here are tips to help friends and family prepare for the ceremony, from when to show up to what is allowed in the building.

When, where is graduation?

The graduations for Central, Glendale, Hillcrest, Parkview and Kickapoo high schools are Saturday, May 18 at the Great Southern Bank Arena, located at 685 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway. The arena is on the campus of Missouri State University.

When do the doors open?

The doors of the arena open to the public 45 minutes before the start of each graduation.

The arena is large and no tickets are required.

Here are the start times for each ceremony:

  • Central − 9 a.m.

  • Glendale − 11:30 a.m.

  • Hillcrest − 2 p.m.

  • Parkview − 4:30 p.m.

  • Kickapoo − 7 p.m

Friends and families must enter the main entrance, on the southeast corner of the arena, near multiple parking lots.

Where do families meet graduates after the event?

Following the ceremony, the graduates will be dismissed from the floor of the arena to exit out of the northeast, northwest and southwest doors of the arena.

The graduates will be asked to walk to the northeast side of the building on Harrison Street.

Family and friends should connect with graduates outside of the arena.

What is prohibited?

No flowers, balloons or gifts will be allowed inside the arena. All gift exchanges must take place outside.

No bags or purses are permitted in the arena. The only exception is for medical bags.

Any person who brings noisemakers or items to disrupt the ceremony — such as air horns, balls, etc. — will be escorted from the building.

What are the rules for seniors?

The high school graduates should enter the east doors of Hammons Student Center, located between Hammons Student Center and the Great Southern Bank Arena.

They will not be allowed to carry anything including purses and cell phones into the ceremony. The district said those items will be collected and returned to students after the ceremony.

Not able to attend in person?

The district will provide live streaming of each ceremony online at sps.org and a DVD and digital download will also be available for purchase.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Here's what to know before attending Springfield graduations