By admin 
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — Dozens of Southern Alamance High School families were locked out of a graduation ceremony on Saturday.
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Every SAHS senior’s dream is to cross the stage to get their diploma, with their family in the crowd, but one father and a few others couldn’t do that over the weekend.
Father Furious
The school’s graduation ceremony took place at the Novant Health Fieldhouse at 12:30 p.m.
“I got there … approximately 12:40 … with 30 to 40 people. I’m not sure when the doors were shut,” the father said.
This father says other parents like himself became furious.
“I saw parents … talking profusely. I saw people, at that point, getting agitated. They were starting to beat on the glass, and then all of us were looking at each other. We have tickets. Why can’t we enter the building?” the father said.
A spokesperson for Alamance-Burlington School System says each student received seven tickets.
A spokesperson for the Greensboro Complex says the capacity of the Novant Health Fieldhouse is around 2,600.
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“The fire marshal says, ‘We’re over capacity,’ and I said, ‘That’s impossible.’ I said, ‘There’s 313 students and seven tickets given out.’ I said, ‘I don’t see how that can be.’ I said, ‘Those were known numbers before this event even started,’” the father said.
Unfortunately, the father says he and dozens of others missed the ceremony.
“It was a big deal … My son thinks I didn’t show up,” the father said.
Apologies
The ABSC sent FOX8 the following statement:
We are deeply sorry for the disappointment experienced by any family who was unable to enter this weekend’s graduation ceremony. While the venue limited entry after the event began, we are addressing entry and communication protocols with the venue’s management,” the father said.
The Greensboro Complex sent FOX8 the following statement:
The decision to stop admitting guests was made in compliance with occupancy and safety requirements and done in consultation with ABSS staff. We understand how disappointing this was for family members and friends who came to celebrate an important milestone, and we sincerely regret the frustration and disappointment this caused.
‘Big for the Parents’
The father does not accept the statements and apologies.
“I just am surprised that a school or a coliseum doesn’t understand the importance of a high school graduation, and it’s not just about the children. It’s also big for the parents,” the father said.
A spokesperson for the school district says there were 313 SAHS graduates, and each received seven tickets.
The school district plans to speak with the venue staff to find out why they determined they were at capacity.
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