GENTRY — High School graduations are set for Friday and Saturday nights in Gentry.

Gentry High School graduation ceremonies are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday in Pioneer Stadium with more than 100 seniors to participate in the special event - Gentry’s 100th class to graduate from the school.

A decision will be made by 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on whether the ceremonies will be moved indoors to the auditorium because of rainy weather and a soggy football field, according to high school principal Judy Winslett.

“If inside, each senior will be given eight tickets for family and friends to be seated in the auditorium,” Winslett said. “Overflow seating will be in the cafeteria. Both areas will be air conditioned,” she said.

The school district’s computer technician Craig Millsaphas linked the events in the auditorium to the cafeteria so that those in the cafeteria will be able to see the ceremonies.

Full House, a band that plays rock, classic rock and soul music, will perform following the graduation ceremonies. If raining, the band will play in the high school gym. Concessions will be available during the band’s performance - two 45 minute sessions - with proceeds going to the school’s scholarship fund.

Gentry’s first graduating class of 1910 had 14 students. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the first graduating class, Friday’s graduates will wear a special stole to mark the anniversary year.

Commencement ceremonies are set for 9 p.m. Saturday at Ozark Adventist Academy. The graduation ceremonies for 32 seniors will be held in the gym. A baccalaureate service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday in the Gentry Seventh-day Adventist Church.

News, Pages 1 on 05/19/2010