Ocean Center hosts 12 graduations over five days

Ocean Center hosts 12 graduations over five days

April showers bring May flowers. But at the Ocean Center, May also brings high school graduations. Twelve over five days to be exact. Over the course of those five days, thousands of students from area high schools will receive their diplomas and turn their tassels in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

With an arena capable of holding 9,300 attendees, it’s fitting the area’s convention center is the go-to host for local graduation ceremonies. And while the event staff and operations teams are seasoned experts, graduation week is a monumental task.

“We’re used to hosting events for thousands of people, but holding up to four graduations during one day is unique,” said Ocean Center Director Tim Riddle. “With graduations, we see hundreds of students and thousands of friends and family for each school. With multiple events in a day, that means ensuring each group has time to park, enter the building, honor the graduates, and safely exit, while another group is right behind them to perform the same process.”

Ceremonies begin Tuesday with Atlantic High School and Mainland High School, followed Deltona High School and Pine Ridge High School Wednesday, Spruce Creek High School and New Smyrna Beach High School Thursday, Seabreeze High School, University High School, DeLand High School and Taylor High School Friday, and Flagler Palm Coast High School and Matanzas High School Saturday. Additional information can be found at www.vcsedu.org/community-information-services/graduation-information.

“Our local high school graduation events are an exciting time for the community, and we’re honored to be able to host the ceremonies,” said Riddle.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University held graduation ceremonies May 9 and Daytona State College held graduation ceremonies May 12, with a combined attendance of over 14,500. High school graduations are expected to bring in more than 40,000 attendees over five days.