Commencement Weekend Schedule

To:       Parents of Seniors
From:   Kenneth H. LaRocque, Headmaster

I hope you enjoyed some quality time with your son during the March break.  As he begins his final spring at Avon, I know you are thinking about Commencement weekend, May 23 and 24.  To help with your planning, the following is an overview of graduation week activities.  A list of local hotels and restaurants can be found on the “Parents” tab of our website by clicking here, and I encourage you to make plans as soon as you can, as accommodations in the Farmington Valley are always limited at graduation time.  Again this year, Westminster’s Commencement coincides with ours, so hotel rooms will be particularly scarce.

The seniors will enjoy a day of games and fun together away from campus and return by 4:00.  When the students return to campus, you are welcome join them for dinner on or off campus Friday evening, as there are no formal activities scheduled.

An important Commencement rehearsal takes place on Saturday morning at 8:30 AM on the Village Green and it is imperative that your son attend this meeting. You, your family, and guests are invited to attend the chorale concert and buffet dinner followed by the senior awards ceremony.  All seniors must attend the awards program.  Following the awards ceremony, seniors are required to spend Saturday night with their parents, either at home or at their hotel lodgings, returning to campus on Sunday morning in plenty of time to gather for Commencement.  This tradition helps the weekend flow smoothly and ensures a good night's rest before the big day.

Commencement Speaker - Honorable Richard J. Leon, United States District Judge for the District of Columbia

Commencement ceremonies will take place on the Village Green at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception in the Riddle Refectory.  In the event of inclement weather, Commencement will be held in the Field House.  The ceremonies will conclude by noon.  Seniors should be packed and ready to leave with their families that afternoon.  Graduation announcements and name cards will be mailed to you by the end of spring break.  You may invite as many family members and friends to attend graduation as you would like.  It is not necessary to have an invitation to attend the ceremony.  Handicapped access parking is located in the hockey rink parking lot.

The Class of 2015 continues to be outstanding in every respect.  I am looking forward to joining with you in May to celebrate their Commencement. Please do not hesitate to contact Anne Townsend (860) 404-4271 (townsenda@avonoldfarms.com), my assistant, if you have any questions concerning Commencement.