Jerry Jones, family donate use of AT&T Stadium for Arlington high school graduations
Students graduating from Arlington high schools amid the coronavirus pandemic will be sent off in outdoor ceremonies at AT&T Stadium provided by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his family, the district announced on Wednesday.
The Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation is donating the ceremonies for all seven Arlington high schools, officials said. The district typically pays for graduation ceremonies.
Arlington Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said in a news release on Wednesday that the district is “humbled and grateful” by the gesture.
“For our more than 4,000 seniors at seven high schools,” he said, “we know that being able to graduate in a beautiful location with their classmates and families present will be more meaningful than ever.”
The announcement represents a change of plans, after district officials said last week ceremonies would be held inside of the University of Texas at Arlington’s College Park Center. The Texas Education Agency later issued graduation procedures for high schools that stipulated ceremonies couldn’t be held indoors, forcing the Arlington school district to find a new venue.
District officials began working with Charlotte Jones, the executive vice president of the Dallas Cowboys, to bring ceremonies to AT&T Stadium, according to the news release. The 80,000-seat stadium meets the TEA guidelines, so long as its retractable roof is open.
The more than 4,000 seniors from Arlington’s seven high schools, who have had to forego their final weeks of classes due to the coronavirus, are set to be celebrated in separate ceremonies at the beginning of June.
“This is a classic example of the Arlington way,” Mayor Jeff Williams said in the news release. “When a problem presents itself, our community works together and figures out a way to solve it.”
Charlotte Jones said in the news release that “high school graduation is one of the most significant moments of a young person’s life.”
“It is also very meaningful for the parents of all of the students who are reaching this milestone,” she said. “We are so very proud to be able to, in our own way, help to make this event as special as it can possibly be in these most difficult of times.”
Due to concerns over the coronavirus, district officials said there will be strict protocols at the ceremonies including health screenings and social distancing for high school seniors and loved ones in the crowd
AT&T Stadium is hosting the ceremonies in conjunction with the Arlington school district and the Arlington Fire Department to provide the safest ceremonies possible, officials said.
The ceremonies are scheduled between June 5 and 7:
- On June 5, Lamar High School will have its graduation at 3:30 p.m.
- On June 6, Arlington High School will have its graduation at 10 a.m., Seguin High School will have its graduation at 3 p.m. and Martin High School will have its graduation at 8 p.m.
- On June 7, Arlington Collegiate High School will have its graduation at 10 a.m., Bowie High School will have its graduation at 3 p.m. and Sam Houston High School will have its graduation at 8 p.m.
This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 2:22 PM.
