After weeks of deliberations the senior class of Farmingdale High School decided to hold their June 20 graduation ceremony at the Hofstra University Arena.

Following discussions with the district office, High School Principal Robert Lewis held meetings with senior class officers and their advisor regarding where the students would prefer to have the ceremony. For the past two years, it has been held at SUNY Farmingdale, but due to continuing construction at the college throughout the summer, the facility would be unavailable the last week of June.

One of the possibilities which came about as to where to hold the ceremony was bringing it back to the students' home school and having it on the high school field. For years, the graduation ceremony was held at the high school and the only complication that could arise with having it there would be inclement weather.

"Since weather is our biggest fear, they [the senior class officers] thought it would be a good idea to check into other locations," Lewis said. After the officers made this decision, the PTA was presented with the different views of the students. "PTA members said as long as the kids were involved, that it was a good idea," Lewis explained.

After these meetings, the assistant principal at the high school, Dr. Stanza, in charge of the senior class, and Mr. Schwinn, senior class advisor, along with Lewis and all available senior class officers, set up appointments to visit both Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.

Following their visit to the new Hofstra Arena, students and faculty alike agreed that holding the ceremony there would be the best idea. If they were to return to their home base at the high school, fewer people would be able to attend in the event of rain. Since bad weather would force the ceremony to be held indoors, only two guests per student would be permitted. In addition, even if it rained days prior to the graduation date and that day was sunny, the ground would be left muddy and both chairs and the stage would ultimately damage the field.

Lewis explained that after evaluating all possible options, holding the ceremony elsewhere turned out to be nearly as cost efficient as having it at home.

"The prices were almost identical," he said, adding that the students were really impressed with Hofstra.

Despite the fact that the Farmingdale School District has always preferred to keep their graduation ceremony close to home, at SUNY Farmingdale, students are happy with the decision of moving to Hofstra this year.