Graduation is a time of joy and celebration. After 13 years of school, seniors don gowns and put on headgear they wouldn’t be caught dead in otherwise, to celebrate their achievements with family members who helped get them there.
If, that is, they’re lucky enough to score a ticket.
The Staples High School graduating class of 2025 is about 425 strong. (Very strong, even if a couple of them are scrambling to get to the finish line.)
Each graduate gets 4 tickets to the June ceremony at Paul Lane Field (the outdoor stadium). With parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles and aunts, that seldom covers everyone.
A concerned “06880” reader writes:
My nephew is one of the many seniors to graduate this year.
My family and I are exceptionally proud of his accomplishments and achievements, and so excited for his transition to college, and eventually “real life.”
Throughout his four years at Staples he has studied diligently, held a part-time job, completed an internship, and was accepted at nearly all the universities he applied to. In addition, he won a Student of the Month Award.
I was very disappointed to learn over spring break that only 4 tickets will be granted per family — including parents. This seems unreasonably restrictive to me.
Graduation, 2024.
When my siblings and I graduated from Staples, the ceremony was in the fieldhouse, rain or shine. More relatives were accommodated.
I wrote to “06880” expressing my frustration about this decision on behalf of my family, who will not all be able to participate in this milestone event in a young adult’s life .
Dan Woog reached out to principal Stafford Thomas, and received this reply:
Actually there were more seats in the fieldhouse than there are in the stadium. A family used to get 5-6 tickets, but with a graduating class of ~425 students and about 1,850 available bleacher seats/spaces if shoehorned in, even giving 5 tickets would clearly not work. Hence the 4 tickets.
It is true that more people have attended the recent outside graduations than they did in the fieldhouse due to the crowds on the hill and the standing room crowd around the perimeter of the stadium.
Unfortunately, the bleachers were built to hold the expected capacity of a much smaller school population at Staples (about 30/40 years ago). If they were built today, based on our current population trends, we’d easily be able to accommodate at least 6-7 tickets per family.
Bleachers are full, at Staples’ 2023 graduation.
The ceremony does not have to be held outside. If more people can fit in the fieldhouse, why not host it there? What if it rains? You’d have to move it there anyway.
I understand that Staples can’t accommodate every family member. But they could at least offer an additional 2 tickets. I respectfully ask that you reconsider this decision. Perhaps you could allow more people with tickets to stand along the perimeter.
In the fieldhouse, parents jostled for photos as graduates marched in.
This may be the first time anyone asked for graduation to be moved back into the fieldhouse. The ceremony was moved there (from outdoors) after it was built in the early 1980s. Each year there were complaints about how hot and uncomfortable the fieldhouse was; how hard it was to hear and see, and how brutal the competition was to get good seats.
Graduation moved back outdoors in 2021 (following the COVID-related “drive-by” ceremony the previous year). Attendees liked being outside; being able to see and hear — and not having to battle for seats.
There are ways to watch without tickets. As Principal Thomas noted, some people without tickets stand on the hill by Bedford Middle School. It’s not a great view, but it’s before the ticket checkpoint.
The only way to stand closer, around the perimeter, is with a ticket.
The event is livestreamed, for all those without tickets. Viewers follow the processional and speeches, and watch each senior receive a diploma.
For over 140 years, Staples has held graduation ceremonies. Each one has had challenges. If you’ve got a memory of your Staples graduation — or a relative’s — click Comments below. And if you faced a ticket challenge, add that story too.
The Class of 2024 celebrates.
I really feel for the person writing everyone does want to be there. I think it’s great that we’re streaming. But for me personally, I have to say I feel like I dodged a bullet not going to that field house. My first kid had the Covid graduation, which I thought was actually quite fabulous . We watched at home until it was our turn to head to the long lots parking lot, motorcycles with the police escorted us in, we got to see our kid up close in personal, and get great pictures. Then when my next kid graduated we were in the bleachers. It was a cloudy cool evening. I couldn’t have been more thrilled that I had never had to experience the craziness of the field house and I know with older grandparents coming in the past, it’s been quite a health concern and there’s even been some emergencies during the event.Finally, for the person that shows up 45 minutes early for everything, I would have probably been sleeping over the night before, needing to get the best seat to take the best picture.
Dan: you asked about “06880” readers’ memories of graduations; I’m curious about your recollections of our class of ‘71 ceremony. I’m asking, in part, because, while I have specific memories of a variety of events from our childhood in Westport, I remember little about our graduation other than for the fact it was out in the football field and that Carter Combe had some funny lines in his speech.
But I’m asking too because I think the high school graduation ceremony might not have been that big a deal back in the day compared to what it has become today. I say this because my dad did not even attend our graduation; he had a business meeting in Washington that day and, as you know, he attended lots of our soccer games.
Incidentally, I have no memory of this (so obviously his failure to come to my graduation didn’t matter to me). I only know this because my mom remembers it and it really annoyed her.
PS—I’m pretty sure we wore white caps and gowns because I’m almost positive I have a photo of me in one.
Fred, I too remember virtually nothing of it. I didn’t even remember that Carter was our valedictorian. I think it is a bigger deal now for the graduates — and definitely MUCH bigger for parents.
I believe Paul Bartel was valedictorian and Carter spoke either because he was second in the class or was voted on as a class speaker. Thanks.
Classic 1984 graduated outside. I believe our class was over 400 as well. We just celebrated 40 years. Limited tickets has always been an issue, but I think the stadium is the right place to do it. Perhaps they could have a ticket exchange for those who have extras and those who need extras and a lottery for fifth tickets in the bleachers and standing tickets.
I am the mother of two Staples graduates (field house) and the grandmother of a rising Staples senior who will graduate in June of 2026. We are very close and I am just realizing I will not be able to attend her graduation! She has two parents and two sisters! That leaves Grammy and Papa on the Bedford Hill bc we would NOT deny the parents or siblings their spot in the bleachers. This is BEYOND SAD😢
I remember my graduation pretty vividly. It was the bicentennial summer of 1976. Our class ( as were most baby boomer classes) numbered over 600! There was no field house option. Staples was also a 3 year school then. We were on the football field and chairs were laid out for the graduates and attendees. People also sat in the bleachers behind the graduates. The band played (I was in the band and played at two prior graduations). There was not a limit on tickets that I recall. Family sizes, on average, were much larger then. Most of my classmates had multiple siblings And many grandparents were present. Is the achool not providing field level seating?
There is no field level seating now.
Although it would lose the romance of being on campus, can the administration look into renting a larger facility that could accommodate all of the demand for tickets, like the Bridgeport Amphitheater (aka Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater) or Bridgeport Arena (aka Total Mortgage Arena)? I attended a high school roughly the same size as Staples, and we had the ceremony at the local arena (just checked and they still to). Problem solved.
And who will pay for the rental? Ask families to shell out $100 per ticket? Problem NOT solved.
If you want a free lunch, you likely won’t get it. But if the concern is about not being able to accommodate those who would like to attend, you have to choose an alternative.
Instead of just whining, I emailed HHA and will be happy to post their response.
As I said, my high school graduation was held in our local arena. Clearly the cost was not considered an undue burden. If it is really important, I’m sure a solution can be found.
My graduation of 1982 may have been the first one inside the new field house. It rained that day. I actually have sharper memories of 1980 and 1981 when I was in the band and we sat outside in the sun on the football field playing “Pomp and Circumstance” over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.
We are hosting family and friends at our home for a party after the actual graduation — will be putting the recorded livestream up on the TV and everyone can enjoy the experience from the comfort of our pool floats!
Catch 22. My family say in the field house for a number of graduations. Some years it was fine, for others the heat was oppressive. We survived just fine but, of course, complainers would complain and eventually the ceremony moved outside. Now we have others lamenting the ticketing. Not a one size fits all situation. Town makes decisions and the only certainty is some will disagree and lob in “opinion” pieces to 06880. Hope this years graduation has great weather and those in attendance enjoy. I’m sure extra large gathering will find time to celebrate at home afterwards.
Both of my sons graduated recently and the outdoor ceremony is beautiful. We chose not to use our tickets because I didn’t want to sit on those uncomfortable bleachers. Instead we sat in very comfy lounge chairs that we brought from home just outside the fence and it was perfect. We could walk around, see and hear everything and get the best photo op when our boy was called. Trust me, you do NOT want to go back in that field house!
I graduated Staples in 1979. It was totally outside. The field house wasn’t built yet. We had close to 700 Graduates. (Boomers) I also went to my boyfriends Graduation in 1977 .. same thing because my brother was also Graduating. I’m shocked with such fewer students that it’s a problem. Can’t they sit outside like we used to?
If it rained I think we’d use the auditorium. I think our auditorium held more back then? Dan, you would know.
Auditorium due to outdoor rain was always a problem (before the fieldhouse). I believe they planned for two separate shifts.
My oldest graduated in 2022. There was a great ticket shuffle that occurred days before graduation. Lots of families had an extra ticket or two. We have a small family and gifted our extra ticket. The outdoor graduation was lovely. The height of the bleachers gave good views. I hope graduations continue to be held on the football field!
I was the same class as Dan and Fred. Six hundred plus graduates as I recall. We were on the football field and I remember my parents being there, not sure about siblings, but probably not. It was really hot. I also recall that some of my fellow graduates had nothing on under their gowns. About three hours later five of us were on our way to Cape Cod in Jeff Eastin’s fathers Pontiac Bonneville with five cases of iced down beer in the trunk. Different times but fun as hell.
Dave, now that you mention it, I do recall hearing that some of our classmates wore nothing under the gowns. But I definitely did not see any proof of that before or after.😉
Streakers at our 1974 graduation…was very popular back then’
Our graduation in 1972 was moved indoors because of rain. There was no field house back then so we graduated in shifts in the auditorium. A-L, then M-Z
We navigated our first graduation last year, and the 4 ticket limit is very frustrating if you are lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents able to attend.
What I cannot understand is why they don’t allow 4 bleacher seats and some specified number of “standing room only” tickets that would allow overflow guests to ring the perimeter of the field or, better yet, fill the back half of the field that is open once the procession ends. There is more than enough space to accommodate *hundreds* more guests that way.
Originally I thought that perhaps they were worried about wear and tear on the field, but then I saw the scrum that descends onto the field post ceremony, when everyone fills the field for pictures, champagne and cigars. So it can’t be that.
My grandson is graduating with honors from COLLEGE in mid May, and he was only provided with 4 tickets. He is blessed with 4 living grandparents, his still thriving Mother and father, a brother and a sister, an Aunt and Uncle and 2 cousins he is very close to.
This is not uncommon. I suggested he invite his out of town grandparents and his Mother and Father to the graduation, and we’ll all go out to dinner afterwards….my treat.
Everyone is happy.
Geez WPP
My father, who I’m sure Dick knows, graduated from Staples in 1936 and his comment (wish) he wrote below his picture was “To plant six acres of corn on one acre” Jack Backiel
I graduated from Staples on Riverside Ave. in 1953. My bride in 1955. 53′ was the last class to dress formal for graduation. Rented my Tux in Norwalk for $15.00. Guys all wore tuxedos and girls wore evening gowns. We used the auditorium. I don’t remember my parents being there. My Mom served up a steak dinner to celebrate. I joined the Army in 54′ and was lucky enough to be stationed in New Jersey for my then girlfriends graduation, so I managed a weekend pass and made it home. We married in 1958 and will celebrate our 67th anniversary in June.
What a great story, Dick. Just to be clear, the auditorium was at what is now Kings Highway Elementary School, right? That building was then Bedford Junior High; Staples was what is now Saugatuck Elementary, but did not have an auditorium (that wing was built in 1968).
And congratulations on your upcoming anniversary!
Hey Dick..And they said it wouldn’t last! LOL..My mother graduated from the old Staples in ’38 and married my dad in 1939. Glad you and Mary Ann are well. I see you shooting pics at Duck Pond occasionally. Keep up the great phots.
I graduated from Staples in 1967. It was held outside on the football field. We practiced the whole week before how we would process, etc. On the actual day, it started pouring in the middle of the ceremony. Our class president, Dick Sandhaus, was the only one to walk across the stage and get his diploma. Then everyone rushed to the cafeteria for refuge from the rain, end of ceremony.
Why is there not a live stream??? A lot of siblings and grandparents could share with joy this great achievement.
Dan & Dave – Thanks for the kind wishes.- Come to think of it, our graduation may have been held in the old Staples Gym. Funny, I still remember many classmates and most of my teachers, but you are right. I remember a talent show in the cafeteria, but I don’t recall an auditorium.
why not use the University of Fairfield’s facilities?
Graduation at the old Staples on Riverside Avenue in 1956 was in the gymn, about 260 seniors from Westport, Weston and Wilton! We covered the place in roses.
I join with Diana Pils Marino in simply questioning the arithmetic. I graduated in 1975, four years ahead of her. (Our 50th reunion is this year!) I recall we had 638 graduates in our class. How was seating for attendees not a problem then but becomes a problem now with markedly fewer graduates? Perhaps calculus teacher Bob Dion from back in the 1970s can inspire a modern derivative equation that explains this anomaly.
While I have the floor, thanks to Richard Alley for such a vivid memory of the “formalities” of graduating from Staples on Riverside Avenue in 1953.
I add that of the 638 graduates in 1975 — if memory serves on the number — only about 60 had started in Westport Public Schools in kindergarten. I was proud to be among that subset! I attended kindergarten at Bedford El in the 1962-63 school year.