Why is our graduation at Eagle Bank???!!!

[Anonymous]

LAst year I had a graduating senior. I was 100% against doing DAR -- why would people who live in Vienna/Oakton be driving all the way into the city during rush hour on a weekday to see their High School kids graduate? Makes no sense to me.

My priorities were: convenient location + free and plentiful parking. I was totally willing to be outside (field) or at GMU Patriot Center. I hated the idea of dragging to DC in rush hour traffic (did I mention traffic??) and paying to park.

Well... of course the principal didn't listen to me. He listened to all those Vienna parents who HAVE TO STICK WITH TRADITION at DAR. Grrr.

I have to say --- it IS a lovely facility. Much nicer and brighter lighting than GMU. Parking was fine getting into the garage, but a nightmare getting out b/c the parking attendants let 17 cars block our car in. It was nuts! But, once we escaped the garage, traffic was fine getting back to VA.

I still think it's dumb to go to DAR -- but once you go there, you'll probably like the venue.

And if you are at GMU, well, you may not get the prettiest venue, but you get all the parking you could want, you get to stay in Fairfax County, parking is free, and you probably get all the tickets you could want.

So, really, you can look at the bright side of either option and be happy. Or you can focus on the bad parts and be unhappy. Your choice. Both DAR and GMU have their good points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If OP’s kid’s graduation was at DAR, then the post would read:

Why is our graduation at DAR???!!!

Seriously? We have to scope to ANOTHER state, fight traffic & crime and LIMITED seating?! Why can’t our venue be to perfectly fine GMU arena with ample parking and seating? WHY ??!?

Exactly. This is what we see every year from a few disgruntled parents who can't cope with the idea of DAR. They'd rather have a football field graduation in the blazing hot sun.

The rich kid schools getting together to book DAR, families at kids attending other schools should just accept that rich schools are more equal

Why don't you lobby for your school to get together with other schools and book DAR? What's stopping you?

No one wants to graduate at DAR when they can have the convenience and space of GMU.

That must be why so many parents spoke out a couple of years ago when it looked like DAR wouldn't be used for graduations due to DC's covid restrictions (which were then lifted in time). Most parents currently scheduled for DAR absolutely DO want to use DAR. Nice try, though.

A few very outspoken parents raised a ruckus. They were more concerned with the prestige of the venue than accessibility for all. Very superficial, selfish reasons.

Oh, please. You're just upset because *your* preference wasn't picked. Oh well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If OP’s kid’s graduation was at DAR, then the post would read:

Why is our graduation at DAR???!!!

Seriously? We have to scope to ANOTHER state, fight traffic & crime and LIMITED seating?! Why can’t our venue be to perfectly fine GMU arena with ample parking and seating? WHY ??!?

Exactly. This is what we see every year from a few disgruntled parents who can't cope with the idea of DAR. They'd rather have a football field graduation in the blazing hot sun.

The rich kid schools getting together to book DAR, families at kids attending other schools should just accept that rich schools are more equal

Why don't you lobby for your school to get together with other schools and book DAR? What's stopping you?

No one wants to graduate at DAR when they can have the convenience and space of GMU.

That must be why so many parents spoke out a couple of years ago when it looked like DAR wouldn't be used for graduations due to DC's covid restrictions (which were then lifted in time). Most parents currently scheduled for DAR absolutely DO want to use DAR. Nice try, though.

As long as 4 of the county’s wealthiest schools graduate there, and only 4, it will be seen as a hot commodity. It does have some advantages over Mason as well as some disadvantages.

As a parent of kids attending one of the HSs that graduate at DAR, why is Cap One Arena in Tysons not a possiblity? It's close to the schools that go to DAR, metro accessible, and in Fairfax County. Does anyone know if this possibility is being explored? I have no desire to schlep into DC only to be rushed and stressed over transportation.

x100000

Plus, the Jiffy Lube graduations during covid may have been far, but at least there was enough parking and seating, and covering if it rains. DAR just sounds like a giant cluster. What is the draw of DAR?

It's a beautiful, historic venue that creates a memorable experience for graduates and their families. I graduated there back in the 80s and still feel honored that we were able to.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't they do graduation in their school stadium?

There is not enough space for people to bring guests, the weather can be hot and sticky, and there is no indoor alternative in case of rain.

They could make it work - most schools so this just fine. There are too many complainers in FCPS, is the issue.

Would you say that you are one of the complainers here?
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid graduated from Chantilly with a class of over 700. Both set of grandparent, two aunts and a sibling came. So, 9 people. It is more important to me that the family can be together than that we get a special venue.

That's great. But why are you complaining? You get to graduate at Eagle Bank. There's not some sort of movement for Chantilly to graduate at DAR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If OP’s kid’s graduation was at DAR, then the post would read:

Why is our graduation at DAR???!!!

Seriously? We have to scope to ANOTHER state, fight traffic & crime and LIMITED seating?! Why can’t our venue be to perfectly fine GMU arena with ample parking and seating? WHY ??!?

Exactly. This is what we see every year from a few disgruntled parents who can't cope with the idea of DAR. They'd rather have a football field graduation in the blazing hot sun.

The rich kid schools getting together to book DAR, families at kids attending other schools should just accept that rich schools are more equal

Why don't you lobby for your school to get together with other schools and book DAR? What's stopping you?

No one wants to graduate at DAR when they can have the convenience and space of GMU.

That must be why so many parents spoke out a couple of years ago when it looked like DAR wouldn't be used for graduations due to DC's covid restrictions (which were then lifted in time). Most parents currently scheduled for DAR absolutely DO want to use DAR. Nice try, though.

As long as 4 of the county’s wealthiest schools graduate there, and only 4, it will be seen as a hot commodity. It does have some advantages over Mason as well as some disadvantages.

As a parent of kids attending one of the HSs that graduate at DAR, why is Cap One Arena in Tysons not a possiblity? It's close to the schools that go to DAR, metro accessible, and in Fairfax County. Does anyone know if this possibility is being explored? I have no desire to schlep into DC only to be rushed and stressed over transportation.

Capital One Arena in Tysons is a much smaller venue than DAR. It is not a viable alternative.

If you can't manage to "schlep" into DC for a child's graduation ceremony, someone will be more than happy to take your tickets.

+1
Plenty of demand for those tickets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LAst year I had a graduating senior. I was 100% against doing DAR -- why would people who live in Vienna/Oakton be driving all the way into the city during rush hour on a weekday to see their High School kids graduate? Makes no sense to me.

My priorities were: convenient location + free and plentiful parking. I was totally willing to be outside (field) or at GMU Patriot Center. I hated the idea of dragging to DC in rush hour traffic (did I mention traffic??) and paying to park.

Well... of course the principal didn't listen to me. He listened to all those Vienna parents who HAVE TO STICK WITH TRADITION at DAR. Grrr.

I have to say --- it IS a lovely facility. Much nicer and brighter lighting than GMU. Parking was fine getting into the garage, but a nightmare getting out b/c the parking attendants let 17 cars block our car in. It was nuts! But, once we escaped the garage, traffic was fine getting back to VA.

I still think it's dumb to go to DAR -- but once you go there, you'll probably like the venue.

And if you are at GMU, well, you may not get the prettiest venue, but you get all the parking you could want, you get to stay in Fairfax County, parking is free, and you probably get all the tickets you could want.

So, really, you can look at the bright side of either option and be happy. Or you can focus on the bad parts and be unhappy. Your choice. Both DAR and GMU have their good points.

Well said! I, for one, found DAR to be thrilling and goosebump-inducing. My elderly parents were so proud to see their grandchild graduate in such a historic venue.

[Anonymous]

Unlike most people, I find EagleBank to be more iconic and memorable than DAR. DAR is cramped and old, less historic than feeling like we're graduating inside a office building. IF DONE RIGHT a graduation at EagleBank can be much more exciting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unlike most people, I find EagleBank to be more iconic and memorable than DAR. DAR is cramped and old, less historic than feeling like we're graduating inside a office building. IF DONE RIGHT a graduation at EagleBank can be much more exciting.

That you are equating DAR with an "office building" makes it kind of obvious you've never been there...

[Anonymous]

Eagle Bank lacks the panache of DAR. Also, it's named for a bank which lacks class. For indoor graduations I prefer DAR. The visiting grandparents would appreciate the historic venue.

For all the nostalgic types that like those outdoor hs football stadium graduations, you should look into booking Wolf Trap which has an actual roof to protect from the rain, but is open on the sides. Wolf Trap would provide a stunning backdrop for the ceremony. Merriweather Post is another option.

[Anonymous]

Wolf trap is not feasible. Madison did that during 2021 covid year when there were no concerts. They looked into it for 2022, but Wolftrap will not commit to book a date for HS graduation rentals until 2 months before June because they don't know their performance schedule and want to keep options open. It is not feasible to wait that long to pick the date for graduation or to contract with a venue. So Wolftrap doesn't work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Bank lacks the panache of DAR. Also, it's named for a bank which lacks class. For indoor graduations I prefer DAR. The visiting grandparents would appreciate the historic venue.

For all the nostalgic types that like those outdoor hs football stadium graduations, you should look into booking Wolf Trap which has an actual roof to protect from the rain, but is open on the sides. Wolf Trap would provide a stunning backdrop for the ceremony. Merriweather Post is another option.

Graduations at DAR have limited tickets so grandparents probably aren’t getting a ticket.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Eagle Bank lacks the panache of DAR. Also, it's named for a bank which lacks class. For indoor graduations I prefer DAR. The visiting grandparents would appreciate the historic venue.

For all the nostalgic types that like those outdoor hs football stadium graduations, you should look into booking Wolf Trap which has an actual roof to protect from the rain, but is open on the sides. Wolf Trap would provide a stunning backdrop for the ceremony. Merriweather Post is another option.

Graduations at DAR have limited tickets so grandparents probably aren’t getting a ticket.

Our school had six tickets per family, which is plenty for most. Those who don't need all of them give them to families that do. Works out fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wolf trap is not feasible. Madison did that during 2021 covid year when there were no concerts. They looked into it for 2022, but Wolftrap will not commit to book a date for HS graduation rentals until 2 months before June because they don't know their performance schedule and want to keep options open. It is not feasible to wait that long to pick the date for graduation or to contract with a venue. So Wolftrap doesn't work.

Madison’s class of 2921 graduated at Jiffy Lube Live. Other than the distance I thought it was great. I was on crutches at the time and they made navigation so easy. My second kid will graduate at DAR unless something changes and I am looking forward to it based on stories I’ve heard. My interest is in seeing my kid graduate. Historic venue, panache, level of perceived class of the location name, etc. are all irrelevant to me.

[Anonymous]

^^^. That should have said class of 2021.