Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DAR means something else to me. Black opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. Those are the goosebump-inducing feelings that pervade me.

I appreciate your perspective (NP). People always forget that such a perspective exists. Which makes the prior PP's post a bit tone deaf and lacking in awareness.

I don't even understand how this is relevant. Who cares? Why are we even considering a DC venue for VA kids.

I don't understand your point. Do you want to keep kids from graduating in a beautiful, historic venue because some people are ninnies who just want a big parking lot?

Dude, it's a HS graduation. There's no need for a "beautiful, historic venue" (assessment clearly very subjective and not agreed upon by all) located in downtown DC. Our families and children live in VA, go to school in VA, and we pay tax dollars in VA. No one is in the public high school game for a graduation off in DC. Community and family are the top priorities here. If that's a low brow suburbanite view, I'll take it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DAR means something else to me. Black opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. Those are the goosebump-inducing feelings that pervade me.

I appreciate your perspective (NP). People always forget that such a perspective exists. Which makes the prior PP's post a bit tone deaf and lacking in awareness.

I don't even understand how this is relevant. Who cares? Why are we even considering a DC venue for VA kids.

I don't understand your point. Do you want to keep kids from graduating in a beautiful, historic venue because some people are ninnies who just want a big parking lot?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DAR means something else to me. Black opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. Those are the goosebump-inducing feelings that pervade me.

I appreciate your perspective (NP). People always forget that such a perspective exists. Which makes the prior PP's post a bit tone deaf and lacking in awareness.

I don't even understand how this is relevant. Who cares? Why are we even considering a DC venue for VA kids.

I don't understand your point. Do you want to keep kids from graduating in a beautiful, historic venue because some people are ninnies who just want a big parking lot?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DAR means something else to me. Black opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. Those are the goosebump-inducing feelings that pervade me.

I appreciate your perspective (NP). People always forget that such a perspective exists. Which makes the prior PP's post a bit tone deaf and lacking in awareness.

I don't even understand how this is relevant. Who cares? Why are we even considering a DC venue for VA kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DAR means something else to me. Black opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. Those are the goosebump-inducing feelings that pervade me.

I appreciate your perspective (NP). People always forget that such a perspective exists. Which makes the prior PP's post a bit tone deaf and lacking in awareness.

Anonymous wrote:

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But who wants "Jiffy Lube Live" on their kid's graduation program?

Who actually cares about this? It's a HS graduation. The people chasing prestigious venues for a public school HS graduation are just loonie. I'm with the county, and the vast majority of parents on this. We do not give a F about the name or alleged prestige of venue. HS - particularly public - is about community and family. Give us a venue close by that will allow the max number of attendees to celebrate with their kids. I'd rather not give up a seat at the graduation for my parents just so we can schlep into DC and an aging venue, sit in terrible traffic, fight for parking, be doused in weed along the way, and risk being robbed, car jacked or shot. I'd rather stay close to home.

And GMU is lovely, by the way. You prestige chasers need a slap of reality. This isn't Monaco, it's Fairfax County. Nice try, folks

Oh my goodness. You really are a stereotype of a clueless suburbanite. You'd think DAR was in Brentwood from your post. Some people really do belong at an arena named after "Jiffy Lube."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

DAR means something else to me. Black opera singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform in DAR Constitution Hall because of her race. Those are the goosebump-inducing feelings that pervade me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But who wants "Jiffy Lube Live" on their kid's graduation program?

Who actually cares about this? It's a HS graduation. The people chasing prestigious venues for a public school HS graduation are just loonie. I'm with the county, and the vast majority of parents on this. We do not give a F about the name or alleged prestige of venue. HS - particularly public - is about community and family. Give us a venue close by that will allow the max number of attendees to celebrate with their kids. I'd rather not give up a seat at the graduation for my parents just so we can schlep into DC and an aging venue, sit in terrible traffic, fight for parking, be doused in weed along the way, and risk being robbed, car jacked or shot. I'd rather stay close to home.

And GMU is lovely, by the way. You prestige chasers need a slap of reality. This isn't Monaco, it's Fairfax County. Nice try, folks

Anonymous wrote:But who wants "Jiffy Lube Live" on their kid's graduation program?

Anonymous wrote:But who wants "Jiffy Lube Live" on their kid's graduation program?

Anonymous wrote:

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 wrote:

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.