Ames High Commencement Confirmed for July 11 at Ames High Stadium

After postponing the last scheduled commencement ceremony, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting the Ames High Commencement Ceremony on July 11 at Ames High Stadium at 10:00 a.m. 

Earlier this spring, the feedback we heard from students and families made it clear that there was a strong desire to have the celebration in person, even if it is delayed from the originally scheduled May 24th date. To honor that feedback, we established several prospective dates, the first of which we postponed due to a spike coronavirus cases in Story County. We are foregoing the second option at Hilton Coliseum and planning for an outdoor ceremony on that date. 

Please read the following directions below regarding the ceremony.

Tickets – Due to limited space at Ames High Stadium, and to account for the social distancing of all guests, graduating seniors will be two (2) tickets that they can distribute. Tickets will be mailed to the addresses listed as primary in Infinite Campus for all seniors. 

Masks / Face Coverings – The wearing of masks or face coverings will be required of all attendees who enter the stadium. 

Arrival Times – Both graduating seniors and guests will be able to enter Ames High Stadium at 8:30 a.m. 

Seating – Seniors should be seated by 9:45 a.m. You will be seated alphabetically and there will be a name card on your chair. We will not be entering with a processional, so when you arrive, please go directly to your seat. Under your chair will be an envelope. In that envelope will be your diploma and school records if you have not received them already. As you approach the stage, please bring your card so the counselors can announce your name. We will ask you to keep six feet apart as you are waiting in line for your name. You will return to your seat after receiving your diploma cover. After the ceremony, there will be a light show and music for you to exit the auditorium. You will be asked to go directly outside where you will meet your guests.

Parking – With the Ames High construction project underway, parking will be a challenge and an aspect of the ceremony that we encourage guests to account for when attending. Guests can be dropped off in front of the athletics wing and stadium by entering from the north. Ridgewood Avenue is currently closed from 16th to 20th Street, so guests will need to access Ames High from 20th Street. Parking is limited and will be available on a first-arrival basis at the following locations:

• Ames High north, west, Fine Arts parking lots, 137 parking spaces
• Ames High along 20th Street, 15 parking spaces 
• Fellows Elementary School, 94 parking spaces (1235 20th Street)
• District Administrative Office, 183 parking spaces (2005 24th Street)
• Furman Aquatic Center, 244 parking spaces (1635 13th Street) – access to the stadium up through the bike path
• Northminster Presbyterian Church, 35 parking spaces (1416 20th Street)

Live-Stream – A live-stream of the event can be accessed and viewed on the Ames Community School District’s YouTube Channel. 

Providing an in-person commencement celebration for the Class of 2020 is an amazing opportunity and a wonderful conclusion to a very unusual year. Thank you again to the senior class who has continually demonstrated their Ames High Pride during this very unusual year and we look forward to seeing you all on July 11.