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Schools

Lightning Postpones Port Chester Graduation

The ceremony rescheduled for Saturday, 10 a.m. at Ryan Stadium.

After 48 hours of sunshine and intense 90-degree heat, a storm finally broke through and cooled things off Friday evening. Unfortunately for the Class of 2012 at Port Chester High School, it also dampened the mood of what was supposed to be an exciting day — postponing their graduation until Saturday.

“We definitely want to get started for the kids,” said school board member Robert Johnson as the rain fell. “They are all here, dressed and ready so we would like to get it done tonight.”

The graduation ceremony was supposed to begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening. The rain slowed to a trickle around 6:15 and the sky did seem to lighten up.

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“There is light on the horizon and these are the longest days of the year,” said schools Superintendent Edward Kliszus. “It doesn’t get dark until a quarter to nine so I think we can try to wait it out.”

At 7:05 p.m., an announcement was made for everyone to make their way down to Ryan Stadium for the ceremony, which would begin at 7:15. Just as everyone took their seats, and the seats were filled, the rain started to fall a bit more heavily.

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A moment later, lightning struck and just after the thunder clapped, an announcement was made that the graduation bad been postponed. The Port Chester High School graduation ceremony is rescheduled for the Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ryan Stadium.

“It was very hard to call it earlier in the day,” said school board member Carolee Brakewood. “We were hopeful that it would just move through and clear out. People are here tonight and booked to be here. The policy says the event cannot begin until 30 minutes have passed since the last sign of lightning. It became evident that if we kept waiting, we would have been doing this in pitch black. Because of the timing of the lightning, our window just closed.”

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