By Brandon Nguyen
At the end of the school year, Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) seniors can enjoy many privileges after four years of hard work. The FVHS Senior Class Commission and the Associated Student Body (ASB) host important events that entail activities before graduation. Here is the breakdown seniors need to know.
The first exclusively senior event is Senior Luau and Sunset, which takes place on June 2 at school from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the blacktop and fields. This event is free for all seniors, and they will be provided with free drinks, desserts, a blow-up obstacle course, music and more. Seniors who want more hearty food can purchase from the food truck, and hot dogs and nachos will be sold for $1. Furthermore, senior yearbooks will be distributed, and students are required to bring their ID to check-in.
From June 6 to 8, seniors will have their final exams, while grades 9-11 will have their finals from June 15 to 16. However, make sure to check in with your teacher to confirm the dates for finals. During this time, senior classes will also return their textbooks and Chromebooks, which must be pre-cleared for Senior Clearance.
Senior clearance is on June 9 from 1:30 to 4 p.m., but administration should announce directions sometime before that date. Usually, students must go to each of their teachers for approval by a signature to confirm that they are not in danger of failing and, thus, would be ineligible to graduate. It is very important to have turned in all textbooks and Chromebooks by this date, or students will not be allowed to pick up their cap and gown and graduation tickets. During this time, students who did not buy their cap and gown are required to bring $40 in cash to buy their cap and gown.
After they complete senior clearance, students will also pick up their graduation tickets from the Finance Office. Only students are allowed to pick up tickets, and each student is guaranteed seven tickets. Four of those tickets will be complementary, but students may bring $5 for each additional ticket up to three more tickets. Students will also pick up their recognition regalia such as stoles, cords and pins. Academic recognition can be found on students’ unofficial transcripts by going to Aeries.
At this point, seniors will no longer officially have class and should have finished all remaining classwork. Baccalaureate and Senior Honors are on June 11 at 4 p.m. at the FVHS Bowl. This event is optional and includes student speeches, community awards and academic recognition. Students who choose to attend will need to wear their cap and gown and can wear their recognition regalia. During this event, seniors will line up in the back of the bowl and march in and sit together. Thus, students should arrive early and no later than 3:45.
Senior Breakfast is on the following Monday, June 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the FVHS Cafeteria. Free breakfast will be provided and there will be a senior year slideshow. It is also an opportunity for seniors to get their yearbooks signed by their friends. In this event, all extra graduation tickets will be sold for $5 each on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Graduation practice will be on June 13 starting at 9 a.m. on the FVHS blacktop. This event is mandatory and roll will be taken. Any senior not present will not be able to attend the graduation ceremony. If there are any scheduling conflicts, seniors should go to the financial office as soon as possible and work out a resolution.
Graduation is officially on June 14 at Orange Coast College. Seniors should arrive at the LeBard Stadium at 2:30 and go to the track that is adjacent to the football field. The ceremony will start at 4 p.m. There will be professional photographers onsite at the lines to and from the stage to capture graduates as they walk with their diploma covers. If anybody wishes to purchase these photos, they can go to gradimages.com or call 800-261-2576. Graduates will leave the ceremony to the track where they can receive their diplomas. Parents should exit the stadium and meet their children in the Lot H parking lot.
Some important rules for seniors at graduation are that they need to meet at OCC at 2:30 p.m. Seniors who arrive late will not be allowed to partake in the ceremony. Seniors will also be checked before the event, and any inappropriate items will be confiscated and excluded from the ceremony. Another important note is that graduates are not allowed to bring their cell phones and should leave them in the hands of a family member or in the car. Only approved tassels, honor cords, cowls and other approved items should be worn at graduation. Club regalia that is not approved should not be worn over graduation gowns at graduation.
Students are allowed to decorate their caps, but only the flat, top area may be decorated. There should not be anything hanging down from the sides, and decorations cannot exceed one-inch vertical height off the top of the cap. Decorations should be school appropriate, such as thanking someone, recognizing the university they will attend, inspirational messages and more. If any student is found in violation of appropriate messages, the administration will make them wear replacement graduation attire.
Grad Night will be at Mile Square Park from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. also on June 14. The last day to buy tickets for $200 is June 9, online or through check. Only FVHS seniors are permitted to attend, and more information can be found on fvhsgradnight.com.
While these are the main guidelines, it is important for seniors to check with the financial office about any remaining graduation requirements and to check their student email in case anything changes. With the 2022-2023 school year coming to an end, graduating seniors can look forward to these memorable moments.
