by Kelci Sagers

CORRESPONDENT

For the first time in school history, Tooele High School will be holding its graduation ceremony outside Tooele County.

This year's event will be held at the Huntsman Center on the campus of the University of Utah.

Organizers decided to move the event from Deseret Peak Complex, where it was held last year, due to the large number of graduates and spectators expected to be in attendance.

"When we saw last year's graduation, we decided we needed more space," said Mickey Gamonal, a senior class officer. "We decided that we wanted it to be something bigger and better than before."

At first, many were opposed to the idea on the grounds that it broke with tradition, according to Gamonal. But after consideration of alternatives, the choice to move was approved by the school board, THS community council, and school district and high school administrators.

"There's so much growth and so many kids, we had to look at other options," said Diane Gochis Cramer, graduation chairman for THS and a longtime teacher at the school. "It's been really stressful. I really wanted it to stay here at first, but when we went in [to the Huntsman Center], we were really impressed."

In the end, the final decision was made by the THS seniors, who voted for the move.

"I really believe it's worth it," said Ben Kiser, senior class officer. "It's what the senior class wanted."

Kiser said 88 percent of the students who voiced their opinion in an anonymous poll voted for the change.

"It's for the kids," said Cramer. "It is their choice."

School officials stressed that although the location change is necessary for now, it is not permanent. In the future, graduation may be moved back to the high school or somewhere else within the county.