Macomb High Schools Book Class of 2013 Graduation Venues, Avoid Freedom Hill

Classes may not start for another two weeks, but Macomb-area school districts are already planning the Class of 2013’s graduation, booking three different venues for their respective ceremonies.

and will return to Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, where the district has held its , while will move its commencement closer to home, choosing Bethesda Christian Church in Sterling Heights.

will also stay in familiar territory, booking Macomb Community College’s Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township once again.

While many of the districts – and countless parents – have said they would prefer Freedom Hill, that venue's uncertain future has lead administrators to make other arrangements.

Chippewa Valley Schools did attempt negotiations with Freedom Hill in June, but receiving no guarantee that the amphitheatre would be open in time for the Class of 2013's graduation, Director of Secondary Education Ed Skiba recommended the district continue using Ultimate Soccer.

While many parents aren't fans of the drive to Ultimate Soccer, Chippewa Valley school board members said they had received mostly positive comments following the district's Class of 2012 graduation ceremonies.

“I know the consensus among parents that I’ve heard would prefer to have it at Freedom Hill, at least from the south side,” said school board member Euel Kinsey, at a June 18 school board meeting. “However, this year I didn’t hear one complaint (about Ultimate Soccer). There were a lot of people who were grateful–because it was so hot–that it was inside this year.”

Unlike Freedom Hill, which is at the mercy of the elements, Ultimate Soccer is enclosed and air-conditioned.

“My son graduated from Dakota this year,” . “I was skeptical about graduation being at Ultimate Soccer. However, I was very pleased with how everything went. I look forward to my younger son's graduation being at the same location. I do like Freedom Hill, but with the uncertainty of using the location, Ultimate Soccer is a wise choice for the security that it has to offer."

Will you have a graduating senior this year? How do you feel about your school's graduation location?