Students in the Class of 2008 will only be able to invite two guests to their graduation ceremony at the Masonic Auditorium on June 11.              

     According to principal Andy Ishibashi, the district chose the Masonic because the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium will be unavailable in June due to renovation. Ishibashi appealed to the district assistant superintendent and even entertained the possibility of holding graduation on the football field after he heard about the space problem at the Masonic.
      “When I first heard that graduation was at the Masonic, I shared the information with the Parent Teacher Student Association, School Site Council, Alumni Association and the Administrative Council,” he said. “They all agreed that it was a disaster at the Masonic, and there were numerous problems. I then asked the district if we could have graduation at a different site.”
     According to student activities director Steve Schmidt, the district entered into an agreement with the Masonic Auditorium for comprehensive high schools to hold their graduations. “To adhere to the district contract, Lowell must pay $7,000 to the Masonic Auditorium whether we decide to use the facility or not,” he stated.
     The district remained firm about holding the ceremony at the Masonic. “The answer was ‘no’ because the contract was signed,” Ishibashi said. “It would not be fair to the other high schools involved in the contract. We have to have graduation at the Masonic. We don’t have a choice.”
    Senior class secretary Kelly Law was very disappointed when she found out the limits to graduation bids. “Graduation is supposed to be a very memorable moment for our senior class, and if a limit has to be set on who can attend, it will only make graduation less meaningful,” she stated in an e-mail.
    Senior Heather Chow shared Law’s concerns. “I was planning on inviting 10 people,” she said. “I know my parents definitely want to be there, and my grandparents would feel upset if I didn’t invite them, even if I explained to them that I was only able to get two tickets.”
     Ishibashi said he does not feel very good about such limits, but he must comply. “When my boss says ‘No, you have to have graduation there,’ I listen,” he said. “There are times when decisions are made ahead of time and we need to abide and appreciate those powers that took care of us in advance.”
     Schmidt agreed. “I feel sorry for students who would like to invite more family members, but out of a sense of fairness, if that’s what needs to be done, that is what will be done,” he stated.
     Ishibashi expressed concern that the lack of seating at the Masonic could lead to students duplicating bids in an attempt to sidestep restrictions and sneak in more family members. As a result, space in the auditorium would fill up more quickly, and the family members and friends of other students with valid bids would not be able to gain entrance.
     At the Jan. 10 PTSA meeting, Ishibashi brought up the possibility of having graduation at the campus football field in order to allow more family members and friends to attend. The bleachers, currently under construction, would be finished by June, and, according to Ishibashi, the administration would rent a platform and provide parking on the adjacent soccer field.
    But not all seniors expressed approval of such a plan.    
Senior Jason Chen thought the event should be indoors. “I would be displeased if it rained during graduation.”
    Chow agreed that weather is an important factor to take into consideration. “Being in San Francisco, we’re unsure about what the weather will be,” she said. Chow added that outside events also pose the problem of distracting additional noise.
    Senior William Wong thought the football field would not be a memorable location. “We need somewhere with a grand entrance and very nice surroundings,” he said.
    Senior Diana Yu, however, said that a fancy venue is not what makes a graduation ceremony a success. “It doesn’t matter where you are but what you make of it,” she said. “It’s the people there that matter and the memories that are more important.”
    Ishibashi agreed. “It’s not about looks (of the venue), but the people,” he said. “It’s not the location, but who you’re with, and who you can share graduation with.”