Leesburg High School set to hold graduation redo after storms soak original ceremony

LEESBURG, Fla. — Leesburg High School is about to have a graduation do-over after strong storms and lightning crashed Friday’s ceremony.

It was pouring rain as graduates stood in line waiting for their names to be called.

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The school had moved up the start time to try to avoid the storms but decided against moving it inside or delaying the ceremony.

Parents were frustrated and told Channel 9 it was just a bad experience and they wish the ceremony had been moved to Saturday.

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Parents said they were sitting out there in the stadium, everyone was getting soaked, lightning was crashing all around and that parents couldn’t hear the names of their children being called.

The district told Channel 9 that the principal was monitoring the situation and he doesn’t believe lightning came within 10 miles and he believed it was safe, so they kept going.

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The school is having what’s called a recognition ceremony at the gym tonight at 8 p.m. and all names will be called again.

The district said it has been a tradition to have it outside at the stadium and that an effort to bring it indoors at a local church a few years ago was met with protest.

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