Rome, NY – Preparations are being made for the 155th Commencement ceremony this Saturday, June 29, of more than 320 seniors in Rome Free Academy’s class of 2024, including a live streaming of the RFA Stadium ceremony to the Internet. The graduation procession will begin at 9:45 a.m. and the ceremony will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at RFA Stadium, where an estimated crowd of more than 2,000 family members and friends is expected.
The live Internet streaming will be available on the district website at www.romecsd.org. A graduation link will be at the site, and by clicking on the link, people will be able to view the ceremony live. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8BoYZyGLUorkU1Ec_YP20w It is to begin at 9:45 a.m.
Speakers at the ceremony will include Valedictorian Alexander Rizzo, who received a weighted grade point average of 103.68, and Salutatorian Alicia Tourtelot, who received a weighted grade point average of 102.95.
The local weather forecast for Saturday is partly cloudy. The Graduation ceremony will go on “rain or shine.” A graduation rehearsal for students is scheduled for Friday morning at 9 a.m. RFA Stadium.
Principal Brian P. LeBaron confirmed additional details about graduation day procedures on Saturday:
— Parking for RFA Stadium will be available on streets in the neighborhood, except for Sycamore Street, which will be closed to traffic. Parking for people with handicaps will be available in the parking lot just south of the stadium off Turin Street. Another parking lot, east of the former RFA school site bordering the stadium, will provide some limited spaces for faculty and staff members.
— Family and friends should only enter the stadium by the Turin Street entrance.
— Seniors are to report to the Stadium Support Facility next to the stadium by 9 a.m. Saturday, the processional will begin at 9:45 a.m. Students will be divided alphabetically into groups of about 20 each. Teachers will serve as group leaders. Students are expected to dress and behave appropriately. All students must wear shoes. In addition, beach attire and shorts will not be allowed under graduation gowns. Students will sit with their groups and will be called by name to receive diplomas.