From OA Schools: Exciting News For Commencement

Some exciting news to share about this year’s graduation. A few new things to add to an already great day for the OFA Class of 2017 and their families and friends.

For starters, they will be streaming LIVE the entire 2017 commencement for the first time.

The Live Stream link for graduation is up and ready to go. For anyone who can’t be there in person, click on this link – http://thecube.com/e/737671 – and you’ll see that they are in “countdown mode.” The feed will go LIVE just a few minutes before 10 a.m. today. OA Schools’ Shauna Monell will be operating the camera. Viewers will not need an account or any type of password. Just the internet, a browser and a solid connection.

Also, something they’ve done in the past will be available again: WEBO 1330 AM radio will broadcast audio for the OFA graduation ceremony. That audio broadcast can also be accessed online, through the WEBO website at: http://www.newsradiowebo.com/.

Graduates, families and friends will also see a combination of new and traditional imagery at this year’s graduation.

For example, making its 91st appearance at OFA graduation will be a large velour wall hanging, draped beneath a wooden rod. The burgundy fabric features a golden image depicting a rendering of the sculpture “Appeal to the Great Spirit.” This item, they have learned (thanks to Mrs. Joan Hunt and her research), was made for the graduation of the OFA Class of 1927. This is the same graduating class which gifted the 1927 version of the “Appeal to the Great Spirit” sculpture which has been located in the modern-day OFA since it opened in the fall of 1972.

They believe that this item has been present, in one fashion or another, at each commencement over the past nine decades. And on Saturday, it will be mounted separately, and prominently, available for graduates to take photos with, taking with them an image of their soon-to-be alma mater’s rich history.

New to the scene this year will be a large banner celebrating their graduates. This banner is part of the district’s effort to celebrate their community connection, and the pride they have in our traditions. They are encouraging our graduates to get photos on the low riser where this banner will be located, once commencement is complete.

And they have one more addition – an OA Schools backdrop, with the new official district logo featuring the Appeal to the Great Spirit image. This large backdrop will also be made available for graduates, families and friends to take photos with once commencement is complete.