Danville High School seniors will graduate on Thursday, May 23. It’s a shift one day earlier to accommodate a large number of students who have qualified for and will participate in national forensics and academic competitions, Principal Haley Ralston said.

“In the past, we’ve only had one or two kids that potentially might qualify,” Ralston said.

This year, there are five students who have qualified to compete nationally in forensics and one who has qualified for a national academic team competition, all of which is happening over the weekend during which graduation was originally planned.

“It needs to be May 23rd because students should not have to choose between being in the end-all, be-all competition over graduation,” Ralston said.

Project Graduation plans have been successfully shifted forward a day, as well, she noted.

“I think it’s tremendous we have that many going” to compete nationally, board Chair Steve Becker said.

Danville High School’s graduation will be 7 p.m. May 23 at the Norton Center on Centre College’s campus.

The last day of school for students is Wednesday, May 22.