High School Graduation at the Fresno Assembly Center

              High School Graduation - It was the most unusual and unprecedented high school graduation in the history of public schools in the United States. This multi-school commencement exercise took place in the newly completed open air auditorium at Fresno Assembly Center, Friday June 19, 1942 at 7:30pm. That evening one hundred and fourty-two Japanese American high schools eniors from twenty-two different high schools received their diplomas and honorary awards in one combined graduation service. More than three thousand people witnessed the presentations of graduation certificates and earned awards to the cap and gown clad graduates. The program was complete with instrumental music, mixed chorus, vocal soloist, processional, student speakers, a guest speker, the traditional walk to the stage to receive the diploma and invocation by a resident minister. The ceremony was followed by a reception for the graduates and their families.