Construction on the Oak Park and River Forest High School football field means a new location for 2025 graduation. After polling families of senior class members, OPRF has decided to pursue a contract with Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave., as an alternate graduation location, according to an email announcement from Assistant Superintendent and Principal Lynda Parker on Nov. 25. Out of 461 total family respondents, the Credit Union 1 Arena garnered the majority of votes, with 271 families responding positively to the option. Graduation for the class of 2025 will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 3 p.m. at Credit Union 1. With a larger venue, students are allowed up to eight tickets as opposed to the previous two tickets. In years past, graduation has traditionally been held on the field or the fieldhouse nearby. However, the school is installing geothermal energy wells under the surface of the football field to heat and cool Project 2, the new athletic wing now under construction. The geothermal construction won’t be complete until August 2025. Some students feel that moving graduation is unfair for the class of 2025. “I really don’t like moving our graduation location. I think we should have graduation at our own high school. We’ve spent four years here, I think we should graduate from here.” said William Cote, current OPRF senior. However, other students welcome this change and are looking forward to a change of scenery. “I’m really happy about it. I encouraged my parents to vote for that place,” said current senior Astrid Barajas. Despite the differing opinions the graduation location is set in stone and will go forward on the date provided.