Graduation

2026 Graduation Commencement Ceremony will be
June 5, 2026!

Graduation Commencement Ceremony

 

Senior Information

The countdown to Graduation has begun! Please review the special Senior Edition Newsletter below to review all upcoming dates and events leading up to our final celebration!

Graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 5, 2025, at 3:30pm and 7:00pm on Bennett Field, Caldarazzo Stadium, SSHS.

Since there are two ceremony times, we are not limiting guests for our graduates. This event will not require tickets. We hope this is a celebratory time for all of our senior families!

Rehearsal and Ceremony times are as follows:

• Rehearsal on June 4th at 9:00 am for the 3:30 pm ceremony.
• Rehearsal on June 4th at11:00 am for the 7:00 pm ceremony.

Mandatory Graduation Practice

Students will meet at South High Bennett Field for commencement practice on Thursday, June 4th during their designated practice time. Please report to the field dressed in normal school clothes. Dress accordingly, as practice will take place rain or shine. Attendance at rehearsal is mandatory for all graduating seniors participating in the commencement exercises. Students will not walk at graduation if they do not attend rehearsal. Commencement rehearsal is serious and necessary for the success of the evening’s commencement exercises. It is treated as a formal school activity, and appropriate dress and behavior are expected.

Graduation Ceremony

Commencement is scheduled for Friday, June 5th on Bennett Field, in Caldarazzo Stadium, rain or shine. However, it will be very important to stay up to date with announcements and directions that will be shared via southsaxons.com by clicking on "Student Life" and then "Senior Information", as well as our daily announcements. When arriving, graduates should be dressed in cap and gown, ready for their ceremony. The tassel on the cap should be on the right side prior to the ceremony. Parents are encouraged to take photographs before and after the ceremony. Grad Image will take a picture of each graduating senior as they receive their diploma. Students will have signed up for a designated Graduation time in advance.

Graduation Sign Up Instructions

We're using SignUp.com to organize our graduation ceremonies.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

• Click this link to see our Graduation Sign Up on SignUp.com: Graduation 2026
• Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
• Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.

Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.

Please review the special Senior Edition Newsletter below to review all upcoming dates and events leading up to our final celebration! 

Senior Edition Newsletter.

The Senior Information Page is also a great resource to review senior information.

Graduation Attire 

All graduating seniors must wear caps and gowns and weather-appropriate attire underneath.

Students are allowed to decorate their caps; however, if the decorations on the cap are considered inappropriate or cause a distraction, the student will be asked to remove and replace their cap. Students are allowed to wear their cords, medals, or stoles, depending upon their clubs/organizations/honor societies to which they belong, or other items of cultural significance. Flat shoes/sandals are recommended for walking on the turf field and on the stage.

Students are not allowed to carry objects such as, but not limited to, flowers, stuffed animals, air horns, balloons, inflatables, etc.

Before the Commencement Ceremony

Behavior Expectations

Seniors involved in pranks may be denied participation in Graduation activities. Any senior involved in damage to property or in actions which degrade the reputation of an individual or a school will be criminally charged and will NOT be allowed to walk with their class in the Graduation ceremonies. Any student coming to a school activity, Senior Banquet, Prom, Graduation practice or the Graduation ceremony under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be subject to District discipline policy. They will also be removed from all further senior activities, including the Graduation ceremony.

Fees, Fines, & Returns

Senior/early graduate check-in and return process will take place during English classes on:

• Tuesday, May 26, 2026 (A Day)
• Wednesday, May 27, 2026 (B Day)

During this process, students must return all outstanding school materials, including:

• Library books
• Textbooks
• Chromebooks and charging cords
• Yondr Pouches
• Any other school-issued items

All library books should be returned before final exams. If a textbook is needed for a final, students should return it immediately after the exam. Students are encouraged to check with the library to confirm which items are still checked out.

When returning books, please check them in directly at the library counter rather than using the book drop.

Chromebook Reminder: Senior Chromebooks will be disabled after May 27, 2026. Students needing extended Chromebook access must contact the library so staff can manually extend access.

Please note: Seniors with outstanding library books, technology (Chromebook, power cord, etc.), parking, or textbook fees will not be allowed to participate in the Graduation ceremony.

If you have fees, here are your options:

1. Locate and return the book(s).
2. Pay the fee to the bookkeeper.
3. Buy an identical replacement book (Amazon.com often offers inexpensive used books). Ensure the book you buy has the same ISBN number as the one you checked out.
4. Work in the library for minimum wage to pay off the fee.

Student Speakers at Graduation

Seniors interested in speaking at Graduation need to see Mr. Howard in the Leadership Office to submit a speech by Monday, April 20th.

Graduation Speech Specifics:

• Typed, no more than 2 pages, double spaced
• Speak about your last 4 years as a class or what you hope for your classmates in the future. Speech must have a title. 
• Speech must be turned into Mr. Howard by April 20th - no extensions given. 

If selected, you will be asked to work with Dr. Berry on speech delivery before graduation.

Senior voting packets are due online through southsaxons.com on Monday, April 20th. Check your school email account for more details.