Over the last two months, a new policy regarding graduation has been stirring up controversy throughout halls of Neshaminy High School (NHS). The class of 2026 consists of 762 students. Due to the number of graduates and the capacity of the stadium, each graduating senior will be provided with six tickets for their graduation ceremony on June 10, 2026.
The number of allotted graduation tickets has decreased from 10 in 2024, to eight in 2025, and now six. It has been argued that ticket distribution should not have decreased in accordance with this year’s larger class size. However, the increase in class size from last year to this year was only by 15 students.
The decision to allocate six tickets to each senior was made through the use of a simple formula. The stadium capacity was divided by the number of expected graduates, which allows for six tickets per graduate.
“We feel that as the number of graduates fluctuates from year to year, six tickets is a number we can maintain moving forward,” Stephen Garstka, principal of NHS, shared.
Many NHS seniors are disappointed by this information and feel as though six tickets are not enough. Especially with seniors who have large families.
Due to this, many siblings, grandparents, and other family members will not be able to attend this important moment in their seniors’ lives.
“How are you supposed to tell some kid that their grandparents can’t see them graduate?,” Isabelle McLaughlin, NHS senior, expressed.
With the decreased attendance due to limited ticket distribution per senior, it should have a positive impact on traffic when entering the campus. However, it is still advised that graduates and their attending family members arrive as early as possible to avoid delays.
“As we continue to make the evening memorable for all students and families, each student will be provided 6 tickets to the event,” Gartska stated in an email that was sent out to the NHS community.
As of this article, only one email complaint was received from a parent regarding this issue, and one email commending the decision.
As for students, some seniors find themselves unaffected by this change. They feel as though the number of tickets provided to them is a satisfactory amount, and hope that this decrease in tickets may lead to many improvements for the enjoyment of the graduation ceremony.
“It is so stressful to find everyone and to get out on time,” Autumn Falkevitz, a NHS graduating senior, commented. “So just keeping it close – immediate family is going to be better.”
For those who are unable to attend, graduation will be livestreamed. More information about livestreaming can be found on the Neshaminy School District website as we get closer to graduation.
In the end, no matter how many people are in attendance on June 10, it will be a day that each and every senior will never forget. This monumental moment represents the hard work, growth, and determination of this graduating senior class. The stadium will be filled with those who care about these seniors the most, and their cheers will resonate throughout the halls of NHS for years to come.
