PIPER HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION
May 31, 2015
Nova Southeastern University
9:00 a.m.
GRADUATION UPDATE
The day you have been waiting for is quickly
approaching. The staff and faculty of Piper High
School are proud of you and looking forward to
sharing the excitement of your graduation ceremony.
Piper’s graduation ceremony represents the
culmination of years of hard work by our graduates.
It is a dignified ceremony that will instill fond
memories in all who participate. Therefore, all must
cooperate to ensure that the Piper High School
Graduation of 2015 is the inspirational and exciting
event that our students and their families so richly
deserve. In order to achieve this dignity, guests are to
refrain from any and all disruptive behavior.
In order to ensure that this evening is indeed special,
please read the following information provided in this
newsletter. It is important that you share this
newsletter with your family and invited guests.
Commencement exercises will be held at Nova
Southeastern University on May 31 at 9:00 a.m.
Graduating seniors are to report promptly at 7:00
a.m. in preparation to march at 9:00 a.m. SHARP!
Guests arriving late will be seated only after the
graduates have entered.
THANK YOUR GUESTS FOR…
*Not whistling, cheering, or shouting during the
graduation exercise.
*Not taking pictures during the exercise.
*Not smoking.
*REMAINING SEATED until the last graduate
leaves the auditorium.
TICKETS
Each graduating senior will be entitled to 4 tickets to
commencement. Tickets will be distributed on May
28th during the cap and gown distribution at Piper. All
persons, except graduates, will need a ticket to enter
Nova Southeastern University, including infants and
small children.
DIRECTIONS TO Nova Southeastern University
From I-95, north or south, or Fl. Turnpike, north or
south take I-595 exit, westbound.
Proceed to
University Drive; turn left and proceed southbound on
University Drive to SW 30th Street; turn left onto SW
30th Street. Proceed approximately ½ miles turn right
onto Ray Ferrero, Jr. Blvd. After stop sign make your
2nd right into the parking garage entrance. The
University Center Arena entrance is just south of the
parking garage. REMEMBER: Traffic may be very
heavy. Give yourself plenty of time to get there so that
you can arrive on time without having to rush.
Parking is Free.
GRADUATION PRACTICE
Any senior who plans to participate in the graduation
ceremony MUST attend practice on Tuesday, May
26th at 8:00 A.M. in the Main Auditorium at Piper
High School. As you arrive at Piper High School
GO DIRECTLY TO THE MAIN AUDITORIUM and
take your seat. Proper school dress is required at
rehearsal. Please remember that not only do you
represent Piper, but you are also still a Piper student.
Please respect the facility. No food/drinks in the
auditorium. During the rehearsal, we will practice the
processional (coming in) and the recessional (going
out) as well as the proper way to receive the diploma.
You are not to go into the main building after
practice.
CAP & GOWN DISTRIBUTION
Your seating assignment will be given to you when
you pick up your cap and gown at Piper High School
in the main auditorium on May 28th. All financial
obligations must be paid by May 15th before you
pick up your cap and gown. Students are to bring
their signed Graduation Rules & Expectations form in
order to receive their cap & gown (see Senior link on
Piper’s website).
CARE OF GOWN
When you arrive home after picking up your gown,
place it on a hanger and allow the wrinkles to fall out.
If you press the gown, use only low setting on the
iron.
WEARING YOUR GRADUATION CAP
Caps should be placed on the head so that the
mortarboard is level (straight). The front of the cap is
indicated on the inside of the crown. Caps are never
worn on the back of the head. The tassel is worn on
the left. After the class has been presented and upon
the direction of your Senior Class President, each
member of the class will move the tassel to the right.
DO NOT WRITE ON OR DECORATE YOUR CAP.
PROPER DRESS
Graduates are expected to dress appropriately. Ladies:
Wear white or light colored dresses, skirts, and
blouses. Only white or off-white low-heeled shoes
may be worn. Corsages, Sunglasses, or Jewelry
(exception: a watch, class ring, small earrings) may
NOT be worn during the ceremony. Gentlemen:
Wear a white shirt, dark tie (no bow ties), dark dress
trousers, dress shoes and socks. No tennis shoes or
sandals will be permitted. Nothing is to be carried in
your hands; they should be free to accept your
diploma.
YOUR GUESTS
A graduation ceremony is intended to be a “dressy”
occasion. Persons wearing shorts or inappropriate
clothing WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE
FACILITY.
DON’T FORGET
* TIE
* NAME CARDS
* MEDALLIONS
* TASSLES
* BOBBY PINS
* CORDS (if any)
ACCEPTING YOUR DIPLOMA
Accept your diploma with your left hand. Shake
hands with your right hand. Look at the photographer
when you shake hands with Mr. Gomez so that the
picture will reveal your face, not the back of your
head.
OBLIGATIONS (Must be cleared by May 15th)
No senior with an obligation will be allowed to pick
up tickets or cap and gown. Only cash or the item
will be accepted to clear the obligation. Seniors may
clear obligations during all lunches. Please see Mr.
Jones in the “A” Office concerning obligations.
DIPLOMAS
You will receive your diploma and report card after
the ceremony in the back hallway of the Nova
Southeastern University Center. Your gown must be
returned in order to receive your diploma. DO NOT
TOSS your cap into the air at the conclusion of the
graduation ceremony.
CAMERAS
Guests should not bring cameras to the graduation.
We ask that no one get out of his/her seat during the
ceremony to take a picture of any graduate. We have
a professional photographer taking pictures during the
graduation. If you take pictures close to the stage, you
will ruin the quality of the professional photograph.
This may also cause other graduates’ pictures to be
ruined. Please… we are asking your assistance with
this very important issue. You may take all the
pictures you like at home before and after the
ceremony. Flowers are not permitted to be given to
graduates at any time during the ceremony by parents
or guests.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
COOPERATION WITH THIS.
TIME SCHEDULE
The doors at the Nova Southeastern University will
open at 8:00 a.m. No one will be admitted without a
ticket. This includes small children and babies that are
sitting on laps. No one will be seated in the
auditorium as the graduates enter. Graduates will be
instructed during rehearsal regarding where to report
the morning of graduation.
SENIOR CALENDAR
May 15
Final Day to Clear Obligations
May 21
Senior Bar-B-Q. (Upon dismissal)
May 14
Senior Awards Night (5:30 P.M.)
May 28
Cap &Gown pick up Main Aud.
(8:00-10:30)(A-M)
(11:00-1:30)(N-Z)
May 26
Graduation Rehearsal (8:00 A.M.)
May 31
Graduation
(9:00 A.M.)