Dear Graduating Seniors, Parents, and Guardians:
With the school year rapidly concluding, May will become a special and busy time as we prepare for graduation. The 104th Commencement Exercise will take place on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 7:00 PM at the Stormont Vail Events Center. We want to encourage you to participate in the graduation ceremony. Participation is not mandatory, and the decision to attend is a choice for both student and parent(s). If you are not planning on participating in the commencement ceremony, please contact the Head Secretary, Mrs. Kaspar, at (785) 339-4104 by April 29. Our expectation is for those students participating in the ceremony to follow the guidelines below.
DRESS: Students are required to dress appropriately for this occasion; business casual is suggested. T-shirts, jeans, shorts, sweat pants, or athletic footwear should not be worn. The royal blue caps and gowns will be worn by all graduates. The caps and gowns should have no additional decorations on them. If you did not order a cap and gown because you have one available to use, contact Jostens to purchase your 2022 stole and tassel. (Contact Jostens at (785) 843-2967 or jeff.heline@jostens.com.)
DECORUM: Proper behavior is to be exercised during the entire ceremony so that all students can be given the proper recognition they have worked so hard to achieve. At no time, before all students are formally presented their diplomas, should any student or his/her family draw undo attention to themselves and away from the occasion and other graduates. Any student who fails to follow appropriate behavior may be escorted out of the arena.
Parents need to also be aware that the security chief of the Events Center has asked us to share the following:
- The Events Center bag policy WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. Purses, handbags, and backpacks will NOT be allowed. Clear bags and clear totes as well as clutch purses which are SMALLER than 4.5" x 6.5" will be permitted and may be searched. Events Center staff will measure and check sizes at the door. Their complete Bag Policy and Prohibited Items list may be accessed online.
- Camera tripods will not be permitted in the stands. The tripods pose a tripping hazard for other guests.
- Handicapped seating is available on the arena floor. This area is behind the graduates. Handicapped guests (and accompanying family) should enter the doors of the southeast ground level.
Listed below are important dates relating to all graduating seniors. We look forward to seeing you particularly on May 15. Thank you for your cooperation.
| DATE |
ACTIVITY |
| April 11 |
Graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.650 or above may start purchasing Gold Cords in the Main Office before and after school. The cost is $7.00, and checks should be made payable to WRHS. Graduates who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 4.000 or above may pick up their Honor Medal in the Main Office before and after school. Remember to bring/wear them to graduation. Replacements will not be available. |
| April 25 |
Meeting for graduating seniors in the Auditorium during Advisory Period. |
| April 29 |
Deadline to notify Mrs. Kaspar (Main Office: (785) 339-4104) if you are choosing not to participate in the graduation ceremony. |
| May 5 |
Outstanding debts due BEFORE 12:00 PM THURSDAY, MAY 5. Graduates with outstanding debts will not receive their diplomas until those are cleared. In order to receive your diploma, you must have all debts cleared before 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 5. No money, books, etc. will be taken the evening of graduation. |
| May 9 |
Graduation Practice during 6th and 7th hour. Stoles will be distributed following practice. |
| May 9 |
Graduating Seniors last day of classes—dismissal at 3:00 PM unless there is an unexpected school day cancellation. |
| May 12 |
Last day to pick up pre-ordered caps and gowns from the office. |
| May 15 |
Graduation Ceremony – Stormont Vail Events Center 7:00 PM. Graduates are to enter via the northeast Box Office doors by 6:15 PM. Final instructions and line up at 6:45 PM. Grad Images will take graduation pictures of all graduates as they cross the platform. Images should be available in June and may be ordered online at their website. |
| June 5 |
Processing of final transcript requests will begin via parchment.com June 5. If you are planning to attend a 2 or 4 college, please be reminded they require a final transcript for enrollment. There will be a minimal charge for requests being made after June 30. |
NOTES: Students who are allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony are seniors who have earned no less than 24 credits by Thursday, May 12, 12:00 PM. To receive a diploma, students must earn a minimum of 25 credits. If you have questions regarding your graduation status, please contact your counselor at (785) 339-4113. Seniors who have not met graduation requirements are required to be in attendance through the last day of school, May 25, 2022.
Replacements for items you forget (cap, gown, tassel, white stole, NHS stole, gold cord, honor medal, etc.) will not be available at the Events Center. Make sure to bring everything with you.
Sincerely,
Ed Raines
Principal
