By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – High school seniors across the region have already sat through their last classes as high school students. Many have even already taken their last test, and those who have not will do so in the coming week. And now that the business side of high school is just about wrapped up, those young adults for the most part have just one thing on their minds — graduation.

Yes, caps and gowns are eagerly — or sometimes reluctantly — being tried on as schools ready their lists of graduates and prepare to see another class off onto bigger and better things.

Here is a rundown of graduation events from Lutcher to Luling.

In St. John the Baptist Parish, the largest high school, East St. John, will be holding its ceremony at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner as Joe Keller Stadium is currently undergoing renovations. Because of the change in venue, the ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 19. It starts at 7 p.m. In the days leading up to the big event, the school’s gymnasium will be the location for Senior Class Night on Tuesday, May 11, at 7 p.m. and Senior Awards Night on Wednesday, May 12, at 6 p.m.

On the other side of the Mississippi River, West St. John High School will see its class of 2010 off on Saturday, May 22, at 10 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium. The school’s Senior Baccalaureate will be held Friday, May 14, at 6 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgard.

St. Charles Catholic High School will hand out diplomas Friday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at Ascension of Our Lord Church. Riverside Academy’s graduation ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22, in the school’s gymnasium.

Next door in St. James Parish, the graduation ceremonies for both of the parish’s high schools will take place on Friday, May 21, at each school’s respective football stadium. St. James High will hand out diplomas at 6 p.m., while Lutcher will do the same at 8 p.m.

In St. Charles Parish, Destrehan High School will be the first to graduate its senior class with a ceremony on Thursday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Pontchartrain Center.

Hahnville High School’s ceremony will be held the next day on Friday, May 21, at 6 p.m. at the Alario Center in Westwego.