BY NICHOLAS BRANDT
The bleachers in Thyberg Field could possibly undergo renovations in the upcoming year. If the renovations would begin directly after Winter Break, the project will not be completed in time for the graduation of the Class of 2018.
Because Measure ES granted WCHS over $143 million towards facility improvements, the school will be able to renovate some of its older areas. While a new performing arts center and a new science building are some of the biggest improvements in discussion, one location on campus is more crucial for student events and needs to be renovated: the bleachers near the football field. Performing the task of fixing the bleachers will prevent the Class of 2018 from graduating on Thyberg Field because the friends and family of the graduating class wouldn’t have anywhere to sit.
“The distrct office is in conversation about the upgrades and improvements of the school, and one of those improvements is the stadium bleachers. The conversation has begun to discuss what we are going to do, but nothing is official yet,” WCHS Principal Dr. Stephen Glass said.
Though the plans have not been made yet as for if graduation will proceed as scheduled or not, the graduation would likely be held at Walnut High School should the bleachers be under reconstruction. Sporting events would also be accounted for when deciding whether or not to begin the reconstruction after break. Many seniors are troubled by the possibility of not having the bleachers available for their graduation.
“I’d rather have graduation happen on-campus. I didn’t graduate from Walnut High School,” senior Mario Ruiz said.
Dr. Glass and the district are working hard to come to a verdict on when the bleachers would be closed for reconstruction. They are considering all of the pros and cons of when to start the reconstruction of the bleachers. Seniors will know about the status of where graduation would be held when the district returns with a decision for a course of action.
anonymous • Dec 1, 2017 at 12:00 pm
I started to look into why us as parents were not inform earlier in the year about this issue regarding graduation and I can’t get anyone from the school to give me a good reason. I decided to look at the districts website and I now know that there are many issues not automatically disclosed. As a community we need to start to attend the board meetings, which take place in the district boardroom at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 12/12/17. Please try to be there so we can voice how we feel.
Jade • Nov 29, 2017 at 9:34 am
As a senior of West Covina High School, it leaves me with grief to know that the senior Class of 2018 will not be able to receive their diploma on the sacred grounds of which we have spent to earn it. To begin construction in January and shut down the field and moving out once in a lifetime moment to somewhere that has no significant meaning is absolutely heartbreaking. Many Seniors of WCHS are against this construction because we have spent so many years of our life to earn our diploma from WCHS only to be let down our last year. To deprive us of this one unique memorable chance of joy is abosolutly despicable. Postponing the construction until after our graduation would be the lesser of two evils because even though the field would not be accessible by football season, the process would not interfere with an entire class’s graduation.
anonymous • Nov 28, 2017 at 10:36 am
This is very disappointing that WCHS is making a decision like this and not taking into consideration about who is being hurt by this act. The students and the families. West Covina High School needs to keep class of 2018 at West Covina High not another school. That is so unfair and not right!!!
David Rios • Nov 27, 2017 at 5:18 pm
I think it is a travesty to move the graduation ceremony to another high school. My son is extremely disappointed with the news. The look on his face when he told me was heart breaking. As a parent that has seen him struggle and work so hard to graduate from his own school is what you look forward to. Don’t you remember how you felt when you as administrators graduated for your respective schools. As for the reason of having the bleachers upgraded is good but because you want to get it done for football season is a very poor reason. With the football team not having much success this year and unlikely to be much better next year the bleachers where near empty. You should let’s the seniors graduate from their own school and field. This is a once in a lifetime event and can never be regained. Don’t do this to all the kids who work so hard these last four years.
Anonymous • Nov 26, 2017 at 8:36 am
It is a shame that the class of 2018 will not be allowed the oportunity to graduate at their school. Some may think it is not a big deal to simply change the venue but if we ask the seniors, they would surely tell us otherwise. If our district considers itself to be student-centered why was this decision made without the input of those who will be impacted the most—students! I agree this project should have been planned more strategically. After having two children graduate from WCHS, I was looking forward to seeing my last child graduate at her school. It breaks my heart to see and hear the disappointment in my daughter and her friends. This is an absolutely travesty.
Bianca • Nov 25, 2017 at 7:19 pm
Myself, including many other current seniors, are very upset with this news. We through all 4 years of high school at West Covina High School so it only makes sense that we graduate there as well. What would be best is that reconstruction should occur during the summer. Although it won’t be done by football season, it beats moving the graduation ceremony to another school. If the graduation was to be held at another high school, you are unfairly taking away the amazing and unique feeling and experience that happens when the seniors walk to receive their diplomas. It won’t feel or be the same. You are taking away the moment that ever senior has been waiting for, for the past 4 years. The football team can wait and play at other schools which is normal for them to do. What is not normal is to move a graduation ceremony away from its own school. The ceremonies in previous years have done perfectly well with these bleachers so one more year will be fine. Please, I am begging that you take into the consideration that you will push off the reconstruction. Don’t take away the satisfaction and motivation of graduating. I know a lot of seniors will lose motivation to do well in school when they have in mind that they won’t even graduate from their own school. And if you still decide to go through with the reconstruction, PLEASE, at least have the ceremony be held in a neutral environment such as a stadium or gym, not another high school. So then, at least it will still feel like it is OUR graduation from WEST COVINA HIGH SCHOOL not WALNUT high school. We were looking forward to the sunset and the palm trees on Thyberg Field.
Anonymous • Nov 24, 2017 at 8:23 pm
We as parents of a student who will be graduating this school year are not happy about this news. After basically 4 great years at this school our son will have to have his ceremony at Walnut high school..don’t see how this is fair for the class of 2018. We don’t feel that this is the right moment for something like this. Why couldn’t the proper procedures be taken place, like looking into working on it as soon as school ends, then completing project before other class graduates. Football games could had been held away, BUT graduations, need to be at WCHS, come on now. This is just so frustrating. We understand that the school needs certain things remodeled, but we ask that you consider the graduates who work so hard for this moment. They at least should graduate at a nice auditorium but not another high school.
Edgar Sanchez • Nov 24, 2017 at 12:07 pm
As an Alumi of WCHS and Parent of a Graduating Senior with honors this coming year 2018, it saddens our family that this is even being considered for the Class of 2018. Not only are they the millennial Class, but they are also the “60 year” Class Graduating on our Campus. Growing up in West Covina was Awesome and Walking at Thyberg Field was even more Amazing! Our daughter told us why she wanted to go to Wchs before she entered high school and we were so excited for her. We didn’t reside here in West Covina all this time for her to not be able to graduate on her home town in “2018”. We dont live in Walnut. She’s worked so hard to be an outstanding student with honors and to receive her diploma on Thyberg Field. Not only does this affect her and All the Senior Class of 2018 of Wchs, but also Edgewood Class of 2018. The Fall sports such as Football and soccer can always be held at Edgewood high school since their New field will already be finished. Football can always have away games and even practice on the baseball fields, Same for Soccer. Our wish was for Daughter to walk into Thyberg Field and recieve her Diploma just as we did. Please don’t take this away from her and all her Senior Classmates of 2018. They deserve to walk at Thyberg…..Thank you
Maria • Nov 24, 2017 at 11:35 am
I too have attended many of my nieces and nephew’s graduation on campus and now that my own son is finally graduating it would be sad if he had to graduate at another school’s field, it wouldn’t mean the same. How can this project take over 6 months to complete? It’s jist the bleachers that would be new. Either postpone the starting date of this project or hire a company that won’t take 6 months to complete this.
Mari • Nov 24, 2017 at 10:54 am
I feel the same way. I have 2 daughters at West Covina High School and i waited going on 4 yrs to see my baby graduate at her home school not a different school. I feel that the WCHS can come up with a more appropriate solution for all the seniors. All these young kids worked so hard all these years to graduate at their home school and they should have that opportunity. These students should not have to be put under stress about not graduating at their school.
I think the school can manage to rent chairs if needed or if the entire field is off limits, then WCHS should hold graduation on another part of campus. Some how it can be done. Another solution would be hold graduation at a venue that is an upgrade for the students and not a different high school. If WCHS gets together with the seniors and their parents, most likely a sutible solution can be made.
Vanessa • Nov 24, 2017 at 10:30 am
I live close enough to the school where every year I can somewhat hear the graduation ceremony and I have been waiting for my turn to be there and watch one of my children graduate. That time is finally here and I as well as my daughter are saddened by this. Her high school is West Covina, not Walnut.
Gabriela Sanchez • Nov 24, 2017 at 9:21 pm
Vanessa the feeling is mutual. My daughter is the youngest of a large family. Her cousins and older brother graduated fro, WCHS. She was very much looking forward to her graduation day. It’s not the same. Very poor planning on the district.