It’s official. The class of 2018 will be graduating at DTE Energy Music Theatre.

With the Palace of Auburn Hills officially closed, Utica Community School’s graduation venue of choice could no longer be used for the annual commencement ceremonies.

That all changed tonight when at the Board of Education meeting it was announced that the graduations for all four UCS high schools – Utica, Eisenhower, Henry Ford II, and Stevenson – would be held at DTE Energy Music Theatre on Saturday, June 9, 2018.

All of the schools’ respective ceremonies will be held at the following times:

• Henry Ford II High School – 9:00 a.m.
• Stevenson High School – 12:30 p.m.
• Utica High High School – 4:00 p.m.
• Eisenhower High School – 7:30 p.m.

The motion was approved by the Board, considering the former contract with Palace Sports and Entertainment (which owns DTE and the former Palace) was similar.

“I really liked The Palace,” treasurer Robert Ross commented. “I’ve thought a lot about it, and not a lot of venues are available to accommodate the amount of people that attend the graduations. DTE is the best option.”

The Board determined that DTE would be the best new option for the graduations because of recent upgrades to video screens, sound systems, and other accommodations.