Inaugural CommencementMay 23, 2009

West Forsyth High SchoolClass of 2013

Tuesday, May 28th

Graduation InformationGraduation Information

Day and TimeDay and Time

Arena- Gwinnett Civic CenterArena- Gwinnett Civic Center

Tuesday, May 28Tuesday, May 28thth. .

Ceremony begins at 7:00 PMCeremony begins at 7:00 PM

Graduates MUST arrive Graduates MUST arrive no later no later thanthan

5:00 PM5:00 PM

Information for Guests . . .Information for Guests . . .

•No tickets are required as there is plenty of seating (9000 seats) – seating is on a first come, first serve basis. (Please respect handicap reserved seating signs.)

•Doors to the arena will open for guest seating at 6:00 PM.

•Guest are NOT allowed on the Arena floor at any time.

•Programs will be available in the lobby of the Arena for guests. Students have a program in their Blue Envelope.

•Vendors available (flowers and stuffed animals).

•Concession stand will be open for refreshments.

Additional Information . . .Additional Information . . .

•You may NOT bring balloons, beach balls, signs, noise-makers of any kind into the Arena (Gwinnett Arena security will escort you out of the building).

•Handicapped Assistance is provided at the drop-off area at the front of the Arena. However a limited number of wheelchairs are available.

***After the ceremony, the graduates will walk up the aisles at the very back of the Arena, then process outside for the traditional tossing of their caps. Please vacate the Arena as quickly as possible in order to enjoy this wonderful “capping” of the ceremony.

Additional Information . . .Additional Information . . .

After the cap toss, After the cap toss, graduates only graduates only will re-enter will re-enter the Arena lobby to pick up their Blue the Arena lobby to pick up their Blue Envelope.Envelope.

Items in Blue EnvelopeItems in Blue Envelope• Cards and lettersCards and letters• Graduation Ceremony ProgramGraduation Ceremony Program• Diploma (provided all books, fines, etc have been Diploma (provided all books, fines, etc have been

cleared)cleared)

*Mrs. Moree will be available to assist with book/fine *Mrs. Moree will be available to assist with book/fine issues.issues.

Graduates---Before Graduates---Before leaving for graduationleaving for graduation

******Make sure that you and your family Make sure that you and your family determine exactly where you will meet determine exactly where you will meet

after the ceremony as guests cannot after the ceremony as guests cannot re-enter the Arena.re-enter the Arena. (Remember you (Remember you

will not have your cell will not have your cell

phone !!!! )phone !!!! )

Proper Attire for Gentleman Graduates---

Please remember that this is a formal recognition and you should dress to reflect this occasion.

• White-collared dress shirt

• Tie (optional)

• Dark slacks or khakis

• Dress shoes (socks match color of shoes) (no flip-flops or tennis shoes/sneakers)

Proper Attire for Lady GraduatesPlease remember that this is a formal recognition and you should dress to reflect this occasion.

• Sunday dress (no longer than your robe)

• Be careful with design patterns as they can show through your robe - solid color is best.

• Dress Shoes – Keep heels low and/or wide as you will be walking up steep steps in front of a huge audience! (no tennis shoes or flip-flops)

• Please do not wear the white collar that came with your graduation gown.

Parking & EntranceParking & Entrance

Everyone (graduates and guests) will enter Everyone (graduates and guests) will enter the Gwinnett Arena property the Gwinnett Arena property off of Satellite off of Satellite BlvdBlvd..

Graduates must show each parking Graduates must show each parking attendant their graduation caps to be attendant their graduation caps to be directed to graduate parking. directed to graduate parking.

Graduates will be parking in lot Graduates will be parking in lot B3B3..

Parents and other guests will be directed to Parents and other guests will be directed to assigned guest parking. assigned guest parking.

Entrance to Arena – Entrance to Arena – Graduates OnlyGraduates Only

Enter Gwinnett Arena through the back, side entrance Enter Gwinnett Arena through the back, side entrance (people to direct you). (people to direct you).

Do not enter with robe on. Have your cap and tassel in hand Do not enter with robe on. Have your cap and tassel in hand and gown over your arm. and gown over your arm. (Don’t lose your tassel !!!!!)(Don’t lose your tassel !!!!!)

The only item that you can bring in with you is your The only item that you can bring in with you is your car keyscar keys.. All other items will be confiscated and you will have to come All other items will be confiscated and you will have to come

by WFHS on Wednesday, May 29by WFHS on Wednesday, May 29thth after 10:00 a.m. after 10:00 a.m.

Guest Entrance (Front)Guest Entrance (Front)

Do not bring anything inside the building!Do not bring anything inside the building!

• NoNo cell phones, no electronics cell phones, no electronics

• NoNo purses or bags of any kind purses or bags of any kind

• NoNo make-up make-up

Information for Information for Graduates Only!!!Graduates Only!!!

Except for keys, everything Except for keys, everything else will be confiscated else will be confiscated and you will have to come and you will have to come to school the following to school the following day to retrieve your items.day to retrieve your items.

Entering the FloorEntering the Floor

After clearing security, you will go to the After clearing security, you will go to the arena floor.arena floor.

Once on the floor, staff members will tell Once on the floor, staff members will tell you where to sit.you where to sit.

On your seat, you will find a name card.On your seat, you will find a name card.

Do NOT lose your cardDo NOT lose your card! ! This is the card This is the card that you MUST hold onto and hand to the that you MUST hold onto and hand to the reader as you come up to receive your reader as you come up to receive your diploma.diploma.

PracticePractice

Once everyone is seated, we will have one Once everyone is seated, we will have one practice. practice. You will recess out of the arena into the You will recess out of the arena into the hallways, and then re-enter, and then recess hallways, and then re-enter, and then recess out again. out again. Do not leave anything at your Do not leave anything at your chair after practice.chair after practice.You You MUST MUST remain in line. remain in line. DO NOT lose your DO NOT lose your card.card. Staff members will be in the hallway to assist Staff members will be in the hallway to assist you. you. Ask their permission before leaving the Ask their permission before leaving the line for ANY reason.line for ANY reason.

Student ProcessionalStudent Processional

Sta

geA

B

Receiving Diploma (cover)Receiving Diploma (cover)

You will be seated alphabetically.You will be seated alphabetically.

You will exit the row to your left, walk up You will exit the row to your left, walk up the ramp to the reader’s podium, and the ramp to the reader’s podium, and hand your name card to the reader.hand your name card to the reader.

At that time, you will walk across the At that time, you will walk across the stage, shake hands with Dr. Evans, stage, shake hands with Dr. Evans, receive your diploma, get your picture receive your diploma, get your picture taken and return to your seat. (We will taken and return to your seat. (We will show you at the Arena during practice show you at the Arena during practice beforehand.)beforehand.)

Receiving Diploma (cover)Receiving Diploma (cover)

Sta

geA

B

RecessionalRecessionalFaculty will file out first and line the exit stairs.

Graduates will recess up the stairs and exit the building.

Upon a signal from the photographer, graduates will toss their cap into the air.

If you want to keep your cap as a graduation keepsake, please make sure after the toss you have one in hand. We are not responsible for caps left behind.

RecessionalRecessional

Sta

geA

B

Grads

Faculty

Key

Blue Envelope/Personal Items Blue Envelope/Personal Items PickupPickup

Wednesday, May 29Wednesday, May 29thth

WFHS Counseling OfficeWFHS Counseling Office

9:00 -11:00 AM & 1:00 – 3:00 PM9:00 -11:00 AM & 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Important AnnouncementsImportant Announcements

Honor cord distribution from organizations, Honor cord distribution from organizations, please see your sponsor.please see your sponsor.

Senior Dues / Caps and Gowns (if you Senior Dues / Caps and Gowns (if you have not paid senior dues, you do not have have not paid senior dues, you do not have a cap and gown ---- so will not be able to a cap and gown ---- so will not be able to participate in graduation ceremony).participate in graduation ceremony).

Final Transcript Form completion/Post Final Transcript Form completion/Post Secondary Plan Sheet. (See counselor.)Secondary Plan Sheet. (See counselor.)

Yearbook InstructionsYearbook Instructions

Sign the yearbook card received when Sign the yearbook card received when picking up your senior t-shirtpicking up your senior t-shirt

Keep the nameplate attached to your card, Keep the nameplate attached to your card, if you had oneif you had one

Honors Night/ BaccalaureateHonors Night/ Baccalaureate

Academic Honors Academic Honors NightNight

Tuesday, May 21Tuesday, May 21

6:30-8:00pm6:30-8:00pm

Invitation OnlyInvitation Only

BaccalaureateBaccalaureate

Cumming First United Cumming First United Methodist ChurchMethodist Church

Wednesday, May 22Wednesday, May 22

6:30pm6:30pm

Reception Immediately Reception Immediately FollowingFollowing

Prior to Leaving Campus Prior to Leaving Campus RemindersReminders

GymGym– Pick up yearbookPick up yearbook

Counseling OfficeCounseling OfficePick up cap and gownPick up cap and gown

Complete final transcript request formComplete final transcript request form

Complete post secondary plans formComplete post secondary plans form

Media CenterMedia Center– Return booksReturn books

– Pay feesPay fees

Any Questions ????Any Questions ????