MESSAGE TO ALL GRADUATES AND
PARENTS
The following are some general instructions and comments that, if followed, will result in
a high caliber Commencement Ceremony.
All candidates for graduation must meet and participate in all scheduled practices for
Commencement. Failure to comply with the graduation protocol may result in your
exclusion from the Commencement Ceremony.
Participation in Commencement is not mandatory, but this ceremony celebrates your
passage from a high school student into adulthood. Parents and family normally attend
commencement and share the honor of graduation.
Graduates must be aware of the following stipulations regarding dress:
Men: No jeans or sneakers
Suits are not required; shirt with necktie is suggested.
Women: No jeans or sneakers
Light or pastel colored clothing suggested since dark colored
clothing with show through women’s robes.
Comments on wearing your cap and gown:
--have your gown pressed and closed in the front
--wear the tassel on the right side during the ceremony
--award/medals are to be worn over the heart
--honor students and NHS members are to wear honor cords
around their necks; these cords will be distributed to you the
evening of graduation.
SENIOR STUDENTS WITH OUTSTANDING DEBTS OR OTHER
OBLIGATIONS SHOULD HAVE THOSE DEBTS AND OBLIGATIONS
SATISFIED BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE--FRIDAY, JUNE 3,
2011.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES AND PRACTICES
Please be prompt for all practices. Your tardiness will delay the start of practice for your
classmates. If you do not attend both practices, you may forfeit your right to take part in the
graduation ceremony.
JUNE 1, 2011 BACCALAUREATE, (OPTIONAL)
(WEDNESDAY) Sponsored by the West Newton Association of Churches, baccalaureate is
a religious service. It will take place at 7:00 PM in the YHS
Auditorium.(Mr. Thompson will discuss the particulars for this ceremony
with students who wish to participate.)
CAPS AND GOWNS FOR BACCALAUREATE: Any student who
chooses to take part in baccalaureate should pay for and pick up his/her
cap and gown in the high school office on Tuesday, May 31st. The cost is
$23.00; cash preferred.
JUNE 3, 2011 DAY # 1 PRACTICE
(FRIDAY) As usual, seniors are to park in the student parking lot and report to
homeroom. Practice starts after homeroom.
CAPS AND GOWNS: Jostens will distribute caps and gowns. Cost is
$23.00; cash preferred.
DRESSING FOR PRACTICE: Weather permitting, we will practice
both inside the gym and outside at the stadium; therefore, dress
appropriately for the weather.
DISMISSAL: Dismissal will be at noon provided debts are paid and no
extra time for practice is necessary.
JUNE 6, 2011 DAY #2 PRACTICE
(MONDAY) Follow the same procedure as listed above for June 3, 2011 (Friday).
TICKETS: Distribution of tickets will take place at the end of practice.
Those students who have debts or other outstanding obligations will
NOT receive tickets.
Each graduate will receive the following tickets:
4 GREEN TICKETS-STADIUM or GYMNASIUM
2 ORANGE TICKETS-STADIUM or AUDITORIUM
4 YELLOW TICKETS-STADIUM ONLY
JUNE 7, 2011 COMMENCEMENT
(TUESDAY) Weather permitting, graduation will take place on Cougar Mountain
Stadium at 7:00 PM. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will
take place in the Yough High School gymnasium, and it will be shown in
the auditorium, via closed circuit TV.
ADMISSION FOR GRADUATION IS BY TICKET ONLY!!!!
ONLY GRADUATING SENIORS RECEIVE TICKETS. IT IS THE
GRADUATE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO DISTRIBUTE TICKETS TO
FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
STUDENT PROCEDURES AND RULES
Students are asked to report to their assigned rooms for Commencement at 6:00 p.m.
A list of rooms will be supplied to you on the first day of practice. Sign in with the
teacher, and please remain in the room or nearby. Do not leave the room area.
Teachers will notify Mr. Dawson of any no-shows, so that those names can be removed
from the roll list. If you are not in the processional line-up at 6:50, you forfeit your
right to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.
Any student arriving with the smell of alcohol or any indication of alcohol or any
other chemical substance will not be permitted to take part in the program. In
addition, your parents and the State Police will be notified.
Processional students are reminded to remain standing until after the “Alma Mater.”
Men should also remove their caps during the “National Anthem” and “Alma Mater.”
Speakers are to remove their caps before speaking and replace them after returning to
their seat.
Presentation of diplomas:
--only one student at a time is to be on the stage
--receive the diploma with the left hand and shake with the right hand
--wait for your name to be called before you move across the stage
Rows will be arranged alphabetically. Speakers will be seated in a separate row close
to the stage.
Please do not chew gum.
At the end of the Commencement Ceremony, all students will proceed from the
stadium/gym to their assigned room. At that time, students will receive their diplomas,
health records, and program copies.
Finally, remember that Commencement is one of the most important days of your life.
For years, you and your classmates have been preparing for this event so that you can
move on to become productive members of society. It is the hope of the Yough
administration and faculty that all participants will have a safe and happy time during the
next few days.
Sincerely,
Mr. Thompson and Mr. Reidmiller