Graduation
2021 Year-End Schedule for Parents/Guardians and Graduating Seniors
Congratulations to our 2021 graduating class!
Please read carefully the important dates, activities, and other information listed below for Parents/Guardians and Seniors regarding end-of-the year activities:
Thursday, June 3 – Last Day For Seniors
Seniors should park in the Athletic Parking Lot and enter through the Athletic Entrance. All classwork, assessments, projects, books, equipment etc. must be turned in/resolved no later than 3:30 p.m. and negative Culinary Express account balances should be taken care of. Unpaid class fees/fines are also due by June 3. Students have been sent an email notification if they have unpaid class fees/fines. The schedule for the day is as follows: Blocks 1 and 2 - normal schedule; following Block 2 - seniors will be dismissed to go to the gym to attend the "Senior Program" and receive graduation information (no Block 3 or 4 classes). Once the program is completed, seniors will be dismissed through the Athletic Entrance. Transportation will not be provided. Seniors who normally ride the bus should see their Dean or Counselor to make arrangements for the early dismissal.
iPad and Curriculum Material Return
Graduates are expected to return their iPad, charging cable, charging block, and all curriculum items (textbooks, etc.) on one of the following dates:
- Wednesday, June 2, from 3:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Media Center)
- Thursday, June 3, please return all materials to the Media Center prior to the "Senior Program" following block 2
- Friday, June 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (drive-up in bus lot)
Please read the iPad Return Process for specific directions on how to back up your iPad and have it ready to return.
Broken iPads should be repaired prior to June 3. Students will be charged a fee for broken iPads and/or unreturned bricks and cables. Please access EPay to pay iPad fees prior to Thursday, June 3 (choose iPad Air 2 from the drop-down list when paying for a damaged iPad on the EPay site).
Friday, June 4 – Graduation
Graduation will be held at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Friday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will not be issued; seating is on a first-come basis. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Security measures at 3M Arena at Mariucci require that all bags, purses, camera cases, etc., be searched. Backpacks are not allowed. Balloons are not allowed. Lines will move faster if fewer items are brought to 3M Arena at Mariucci. Note: Concession stands will not be open during this event. To provide a level of comfort for all participants who wish to attend, masks will be required for all in attendance.
Families are responsible for getting seniors to 3M Arena at Mariucci for check-in. Students should arrive at 3M Arena at Mariucci-Backstage Area no later than 5:30 p.m. Students should enter 3M Arena at Mariucci on the 5th Street SE side, through the loading dock/backstage area.
5:00 p.m. - Senior Arrival & Check-In
5:30 p.m. Doors Open at 3M Arena at Mariucci; Line Up of Seniors Begins in the Backstage Area
6:25 p.m. - Seniors Walk to Main Floor Entrances
6:30 p.m. - Commencement Exercises Begin
8:30 p. m. - 8:45 p.m. - Ceremony Ends
Parents: do not plan to meet students backstage, families should make a plan on where to meet your graduate following the ceremony.
Parking Information: The entrance is on the Oak Street side of 3M Arena at Mariucci (the front/main entrance of the arena). Parking options available: Lot 37, on the 5th Street side of the 3M Arena at Mariucci and the Maroon Lot between 3M Arena at Mariucci/ TCF Bank Stadium. You can visit www1.umn.edu/pts/maps/index.
Seating Information: Handicapped seating is available throughout the arena. Seating is on a first-come basis and seats cannot be reserved. Please be considerate as to how many accessible seat spaces your family occupies.
Student Line Up: Seniors will line up at 5:30 p.m., in the Backstage Area. All seniors are to report to the Backstage Area (ground level); ushers will be available to direct you. Staff members will be available to check seniors in and line them up alphabetically.
Graduation Ceremony: Commencement is a formal ceremony; we expect students and guests to act appropriately. The graduates, their families, and friends deserve to hear all names as the graduates receive their diplomas. Please refrain from clapping and showing enthusiasm until all names have been read. Air horns and other noisemakers are prohibited. Remember to silence your mobile devices. We ask for your help and cooperation in making this ceremony a reflective but joyful event.
- Use or possession of mood-altering chemicals (including alcohol) will not be tolerated. Students who show evidence of consumption or chemical use will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
- Graduates should only bring their gown, cap, and tassel with them into 3M Arena at Mariucci. Students will not be permitted to have anything else in their possession (i.e. purses, flowers, electronics, beverages, etc.) throughout the ceremony. School-issued medals and awards may be worn; no decorations or extra items may be attached to the cap or gown (i.e. flowers, buttons, etc.); gowns must remain zipped up during the ceremony.
- Students with last names A through LAQ will be seated on the left side of the center aisle; LAR through Z will be seated on the right side of the center aisle. Students will remain standing during the entire processional and be seated following the singing of the National Anthem.
Diplomas: Students will be presented diplomas and covers during the Commencement Ceremony.
Pictures: Guests will not be allowed in the aisles or on the main floor during the ceremony. Lifetouch will be taking pictures during the ceremony. Please take personal pictures before or after the ceremony.
After the Ceremony: At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates will exit through the Backstage Area and meet their families at the main entrance or their own planned meeting location. Graduates who wish to have their photos taken, can wait backstage until all graduates have exited and then return to meet the Lifetouch photographers for individual photos near the staging area. Families should make a plan as to where they will meet (away from the exit aisles is recommended to alleviate congestion) in the Concourse Area; please do not plan to meet backstage. Note: 3M Arena at Mariucci was not built to accommodate large crowds mingling; you should expect the area to be congested.
Senior Party Information: This year's senior party is scheduled for Saturday, June 5 from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at WHS in the bus loop area. All seniors are encouraged to attend and create one last senior year memory. The Senior Party includes a hypnotist, fair food, games, photo booth, bungee basketball, human whack a mole, a DJ and much more.
- In order to attend, seniors should register ASAP. Tickets are still available for $15 per student. Scholarship funds are available for the Senior Party via your school counselor. Register now at https://www.
wayzataseniorparty.com/ registration! - Senior Party questions should be directed to wayzata.seniorparty@gmail.com.
Telecast and Video: The 2021 Wayzata High School Commencement will be recorded by CCX Media and streamed live on the CCX Media Channel 799/12 in the Northwest Suburbs and will also be live-streamed on the CCX Media website: https://livestream.com/
See you at Commencement!