Well, it’s that time of year again: graduation season. As the Class of 2023 prepares to leave Downingtown West High School, there are some things that they will need to know before the big day comes.

The main thing that everyone needs to know is that graduation is on Wednesday, June 7, at 6:00 p.m. at Kottmeyer Stadium. If there is rain in the forecast, the ceremony will be moved to either Thursday, June 8, at 2 p.m., or Friday, June 9, at 2 p.m. 

Seniors will be attending a rehearsal for the big day on Monday, June 5, and Tuesday, June 6. Monday will be indoor practice in the Wagner Gym at 11 a.m. Tuesday will be outdoor practice at Kottmeyer Stadium at 11 a.m. As said by principal Dr. A. Kurt Barker, this is done “so the students could get a feel for both experiences.” 

As with every year, a quote and theme are picked for the graduating class. For this year’s ceremony, a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. was picked to correspond with this year’s theme of Change and Innovation. The MLK quote is as follows: “We don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” For anyone wondering how the quote is picked, West’s faculty leadership team works together to choose it, according to Dr. Barker.

As the students collect their diplomas, a select group of students will give a speech to the graduating class. As to whom those students are this year, Dr. Barker said on May 1, “We will be doing tryouts for speaking next week, and we will select from the application pool.”

Leading up to the ceremony, fun activities will take place for the seniors. These activities will include senior prom, the senior video, and the senior picnic.