Severe Weather Forces OK School To Do Graduation Retake

The threat of a violent tornado couldn't have come at worse time in Okfuskee County. A time honored tradition was ruined when students and staff bolted, rushing to a storm shelter.

“The valedictorian was giving her speech and I noticed a lot of people getting up and leaving,” said Paden High School Senor Amy Watson about the Friday night graduation ceremony. “Five minutes later the alarms are going off and everybody is running.”

As it turned out, a tornado was trying to develop near Paden and everyone bolted to the storm cellar or school hallways.

“For about 20 to 30 minutes it was not chaos, but we really didn't know what was going on,” said Paden Schools Superintendent, Lee Northcutt.

There wasn't much damage Friday, but everybody was soaked from the rain and some guests found shelter elsewhere. The event was postponed until Monday morning.

In front of a much smaller crowd compared to Friday, 18 of the 20 graduating seniors showed up to officially get their diplomas and pose for pictures.

“You are never going to forget it,” said Senior Ricky Johnson about the experience.