From:  Mr. Harris and Mrs. Ebert

Re:  Awards Day, Graduation Practice, and Graduation

Maintaining Your Cap and Gown:

1. Take the cap and gown out of the package as soon as you get home and hang up the gown. 
2. Put the cap, tassel, and collar (if you are female) in a safe place. These pieces are expensive to replace should you lose them.
3. Do not iron your gown—it will burn!  You may steam it or hang it in the bathroom.
4. Check to make sure you have the correct tassel.  Most graduates wear green, white, and gold.  Honor Grads wear white.  NC Scholars wear gold. Honor Grads who are also NC Scholars wear white and gold. 
5. Make sure you are planning to wear the thick tassel that came with your cap and gown and not a thin souvenir tassel you ordered with your announcements.
   
   

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Seniors Arrive:  8:20                   Ceremony Begins:  9:00

·         Seniors report to the PAC at 8:20 to view the senior slideshow. Only seniors and faculty will be admitted to the PAC.

·         Parents, family, and guests are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony in the New Gym.

·         Parking will be a problem, so allow time to find a space. 

• At 8:35, seniors will begin to line up in the PAC and the cafeteria for the processional.  See your location and group number on the back.
• The school clothing guidelines will be strictly adhered to, especially on this day. You will be pulled from the line and not allowed to participate if you do not follow these instructions. Please make sure you abide by the dress code.

Student Dress Requirements for Awards Day and Graduation

Men:

1.       Awards Day: Wear an ironed dress shirt.
                      Wear ironed dress pants (khaki, blue, or black).
                      Wear dress shoes.

2.       Graduation:  Wear a white, long sleeved dress shirt with a collar and a regular tie—not a bow tie or   

                            string tie.

                                         Wear ironed, dark dress pants.

                            Wear dark dress shoes with dark socks.

Women:

1.       Awards Day and Graduation: Wear a dress or long pants and blouse that meet the dress code.

2.       Awards Day and Graduation: Wear shoes that have a back strap or an enclosed heel.

3.       Graduation:  Dresses should be knee length—it should show below the zipper but not below the bottom of the gown.

Do Not Wear tennis shoes, flip flops, Birkenstocks, combat boots, boat shoes, jeans, or cargo pants.

            Only NHS members are allowed to wear cords at graduation.

Arrival:   Seniors report to assigned areas for the processional at 8:35.  Find your area and group below.

Line A:  Meet in the cafeteria.  Line Leader: Benjamin Wu

Line B:  Meet in the PAC.  Line Leader: Helina Gan

Processional: 

·         This will be a practice for graduation.

·         Teachers and marshals will be there to help you line up alphabetically. 

·         Look for marshals holding signs with your group number and follow them.

·         We will go to the New Gym in lines after the underclassmen and guests are settled. 

·         When you enter the gym, march slowly and spaced an arm’s length apart. 

·         Remain standing at your seat until directed to sit.

Recessional and Class Picture:  After the ceremony, follow the lines and go to the stadium for the class picture. Class picture order forms will be passed out the week of Awards Day in English class or in the library. They are due on or before Awards Day. The cost of the picture varies from year to year, but plan on anywhere from $15 to $20. The order forms will indicate the price when they arrive. Checks should be made payable to Lifetouch Photography.

·         ABSENCE:  All seniors who expect to participate in the ceremony Saturday, June 9 must attend practice.  At practice, teachers will check attendance, and absent students will not be able to participate in the graduation ceremony on June 9. If students have a legitimate reason for not attending, they must see Mr. Telford and Mr. Harris prior to June 1.

·         TARDINESS: Students arriving after the processional will be placed at the end of the line for practice and graduation and will receive their diplomas last instead of in alphabetical order. 

·         Senior Parking: Mountain Dew Lot: Enter from Deacon Blvd. See the map. Teachers will guide students. Other outside doors should be locked. Students park here again for graduation.

·         Line-up: Get in the same lines as Awards Day—teachers will assist you.

·         Photography:  Lifetouch Photography will be taking pictures during graduation. Students will be able to order the pictures online. You will get the information at practice.

·         Seniors at Risk:  Every effort will be made to notify seniors before practice if they are not eligible for graduation. You are not permitted to enter practice if you have been informed you will not graduate.

·         Debts:  All debts and obligations to the school must be met prior to graduation.  Mrs. Stiller will accept only cash payments until June 8.  No books, money, or uniforms will be accepted on graduation day. Avoid debts by turning in your books to your teachers. Do not just leave your book in a room and expect a teacher to find it and know it’s yours. Teachers are not responsible for finding your books. 

·         Summer School Graduates:  If you do not graduate but expect to graduate after summer school, you will need your cap and gown for that ceremony. 

Graduation:  Saturday, June 9, LJVMC

             Graduates Arrive: 8 AM                                    Commencement Begins: 9 AM

·         Travel Time: Students should allow sufficient time for traffic problems and to handle unexpected situations. 

·         Arrival: Students should park in the Mountain Dew Lot again. Once the preceding school’s graduation is over, the outside doors will be opened and a signal given that students may enter.  No one other than WFHS Class of 2012 graduates will be allowed in this entrance or downstairs.  

·         Bring:  Carry your cap and gown with you—do not wear it.  Do not bring the plastic bag it came in with you. 

·         Do Not Bring:  Students should not bring hangers, pocketbooks, keys, cameras or anything else that someone would have to keep for them. Teachers will not be responsible for keeping up with students’ belongings.

• Diplomas: You will not be given your diploma during the ceremony.  You will receive only the cover for the diploma.  After the ceremony, you will return to the assembly area. Your teachers will have a diploma packet for you.
• NHS Members:  NHS members must turn in cords to Mrs. Ebert or Mrs. Ellington.

·         Disruptions and Behavior:  Dignified behavior is expected of all graduates while in your seats and upon the platform.  You should set a tone of dignity and decorum for these exercises.  Misbehavior on the floor or while on the stage will result in disciplinary action against you. Students should not bring confetti expecting to throw it during or after the graduation proceedings.  Students who disrupt the ceremony will have to pick up their diplomas from Mr. Telford this summer at the school.

Graduation Guidelines for Parents and Guests

A.      Parking:  Family and guests can park in the Pepsi Lot (see map).

B.     Arrival:  All doors into the Coliseum will remain locked until the previous graduation is over.  Enter only through the main lobby entrance.  Some of our faculty members will be stationed outside and inside to give directions.  Tickets will not be issued for admission.

C.     Seating: 

• If any family members need special seating, space is provided at the top of each section for those in wheelchairs or using walkers.  Space is also available for other family members to sit with them.
• Parents and guests will not be permitted to reserve seating for latecomers.  Make sure you all arrive early enough to obtain desirable seats.
• Parents and guests should be in their seats before the ceremony begins and should remain there during the ceremony and until all students have exited.

D.     During the Ceremony: 

• Please DO NOT bring balloons, confetti, or noisemakers. 
• Please DO NOT whistle or yell, as this prevents other graduates’ names from being heard. 
• No one is permitted on the floor with the graduates except those participating in the ceremony.