Alto ISD graduation rescheduled

Alto Independent School District officials opted to reschedule the class of 2019's graduation ceremonies as the weather forecast for the original date is calling for thunderstorms and more rain.

Yellowjacket graduation will now be held at 6 p.m., Friday, May 17, at Cam’ron Matthews Field in Alto.

"One certainty we have in life is that storms will come. Some small, leaving no lasting damage, and others change the path of our future. April 13th a storm changed our path, our long-term and short-term journeys," AISD officials posted on the district's Facebook page on Tuesday, May 14. "We are in the midst of battle to maintain our purpose of education, to reclaim normalcy and create a place of education for the coming year, and many years to follow. The battle is not small, but we will be victorious. The daily duties of restoring a school are overwhelming, even though we are blessed with the most amazing students and staff.

"With all that being said, our hearts are focused on the senior class of 2019. Their senior year has come to the end without one last walk through their high school halls, without one last rally in their gym, and without a building that was home to so many memories.

"We can’t change those realities, but we do have a strong desire to see our Alto Yellowjackets graduate on their soil, in Jacket country. As of this moment, Saturday’s forecast will not support this hope. After weighing many options, the decision has been made to move our graduation ceremony."

AISD continues to work on recovery efforts after several buildings were severely damaged when three tornadoes hit the town on Saturday, April 13. High school students were unable to continue classes in the high school building after officials reported damage to the building rendered it unsafe. Those students completed the school year in classrooms at the Elementary and Middle school campuses.