Wissahickon Graduation Cut Short Due To Safety Concerns

Graduating students with a last name beginning with "N" and beyond didn't have their name called during Thursday's commencement, due to a nasty line of thunderstorms that moved through Montgomery County.

Instead, they were moved to an indoor facility to finish the ceremony, but only after the tassels had moved and the graduation caps were airborne.

The commencement began shortly after 6 p.m., with faculty and students entering the field through a blue and gold balloon archway as the Wissahickon Instrumental Ensemble played Pomp and Circumanstnce.

After a brief welcome by class president Kelly Pierce, students Vanessa Stewart-Andia and Tyana Culbreath-Sanders took to the stage to honor the memory of two former students, who had died in ninth grade.

"Today is a bittersweet ... day...," said Stewart-Andia, choking back tears. 

The crowd and students began a thunderous round of applause in an effort to show unified support for the remembrance. After a 30-second break, Stewart-Andia composed herself enough to deliver a speech honoring her friend Ebony Dorsey, who was tragically murdered in December of 2007.

By the time valedictorian Abhishek Gadiraju began his speech, a dark, ominous cloud began to emerge from the tree-line behind the stage.

"Now is the time for celebration, memories and showing gratitude to the people that have made the last four years of school, and this year especially, an experience that we will never forget," said Gadiraju.

First-year principal Lyn Fields reflected on her experience, emphasizing her feelings for the graduating class.

"This is a special class for me, one who came through fire with me, and who assisted me on my first year roller coaster ride, literally, even riding the Green Lantern at Great Adventure with many of the 2011 class," said Lyn Fields. "Each of you carries the future. Congratulations to the 358 bright stars of the class of 2011. Your journey has just begun. Good luck!"

As the names of each graduate were read aloud, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning, predicting "quarter-sized hail" and 60-mile per hour winds.

Midway through the alphabet, the storm on the horizon had moved all too close, and school officials abruptly ended the ceremony, apologizing to those who didn't have their names called. 

Students who didn't hear their names were ushered to an indoor location where they could finish the commencement, but the outdoor celebration had already begun. 

Friends tackled one another as couples kissed and groups posed for pictures.  Airhorns and cowbells echoed loudly from the crowd, which seemed a bit confused by the hasty turn of events.

Within five minutes of the weather announcement, the winds picked up as a steady downpour of rain blanketed the area.

As students and their families fled to their vehicles, one graduate was asked for thoughts regarding the impromptu ending.

"We had a fire on the first day of school, and plenty of other crazy things have happened throughout the year. For us, this is normal," said the student.

Ambler Patch congratulates all 358 graduating students in the Wissahickon High School Class of 2011.

Did we catch you in our lens?  Check out our large photo gallery by Kristen McMaster to find out!