Dunkirk’s Class of 2023 wants to graduate under the stars.

The senior class has expressed a desire for a nighttime commencement ceremony this June, Secondary School Principal Rebecca Farwell told the Dunkirk Board of Education this week.

Seniors want an evening event in part “to help beat the heat,” Farwell said. The last two Dunkirk graduations, at Karl Hoeppner Field, were sultry events held in late morning. An event after dark, under the field lights, would presumably be more comfortable.

The students also don’t want families and other supporters to rush around early in the morning to make their ceremony, Farwell said.

The principal said Saturday, June 24, 2023 is the date for graduation, with its exact evening time yet to be determined. The rain date will be the next day, Sunday — but in that case, Farwell said, the ceremony would have to be in the morning. The inconvenience of a potential Sunday night ceremony for people who travel into town, and for anyone who must work Monday morning, would force that.

There’s another thing the Class of 2023 wants: Seating for spectators on the field.

Farwell said the seniors seek field seating as a way to allow more spectators. The move is under consideration. “We just want to make sure the view (from the bleachers) is still good … but we’re looking into that,” she said.