As the school year comes to a close, seniors are preparing for one of the most important events of their lives. Every year, graduation day marks the end of the senior’s high school career and the beginning of their future. However, this year’s ceremony is different as graduation has unexpectedly been pushed back to May 31, a week after classes wrap up on May 24.

However, according to Assistant Principal Larry Britton, the scheduling of graduation was out of Bowie administration’s hands. In the scheduling process, the ceremonies of UT and other AISD schools must also be considered.

“We get the schedule from the high school office downtown, and they determine the schedule based on the availability of the Erwin Center,” Britton said. “Since we started school earlier, and we had a few days off, like in the Christmas holidays, the schedule got pushed back.”

While the schedule may feel inconvenient, senior Jack Barsotti welcomes the change as it reduces the stress of finishing the school year.

“I’m fine with it because we have AP tests at the end of the school year, and we’re busy with finals, so we don’t have to think about doing as much, and it’s one less thing to worry about as we approach the end of the school year,” Barsotti said.

Although graduation will occur later, seniors agree that a scheduling change won’t affect the importance or magic of the day.

“I don’t think it would have any affect on people showing up because graduation is something that the family and the parents look forward to,” Britton said. “It’s a great accomplishment to have a parent or grandparent see your child or grandchild stand up and  walk across that stage.”