Grade 12 Graduation Ceremony

Date:  Friday, May 29, 2026

Place: Grey Eagle Event Centre

Ceremony Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

**Please note:  Grads are guaranteed 3 tickets per graduand with the potential for adding more tickets if availability permits.

More details will be available through Warrior Connect and the Grade 12 D2L Shell.

Banquet Time: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Looking for Information? Please check the Henry Wise Wood Website for up-to-date information as it comes available.

Grad Information will be updated in 2026

Suggested Dress

● Graduands will be wearing burgundy gowns and white/grey/black stoles, with hats and tassels

● This is a formal event; graduands should dress accordingly. Dress pants, dress shoes, shirts, dresses, skirts, and blouses are acceptable attire. Suit jackets are discouraged, as they may be too warm

● Wear comfortable shoes with low heels as walking up and down the stairs will be required. Do not bring a purse or other items that require carrying

Grad Gowns

● Graduands must ensure they have their gown, stole, and cap after the Grad Rehearsal (Period 4) on Wednesday, May 21, 2025

● Not in attendance at the rehearsal? Your Grad Gown can be collected in the main office after May 22

● Graduands are responsible for the care of the gown and stole. The gowns can hold static, please consider using some static guard or pinning a safety pin to the seam on the inside of the gown

● Graduands can keep their gown package; you may want to print your name on the inside of your cap

Pictures

● During the Ceremony, a professional Lifetouch photographer will take a picture of each graduand with Ms. Smyth

● A second individual picture will also be taken after each graduand exits the stage

● Guests are not permitted to leave their seats to take pictures

Seating

● Access to the seating areas will begin at 8:00 a.m. Graduands will be seated in the center of the auditorium during the ceremony, while guests will be seated on the bleachers or on the main floor. There is no assigned seating, but ushers will be available to provide support (tickets are required for all guests)

● Graduands with surnames A – A. Lamb will be sitting on the right side facing the stage while surnames D. Lamb – Z will be sitting on the left side facing the stage

● Dedicated seating for guests with limited mobility is at the back of Sections 2 and 5

● Silence all cell phones and electronic devices during the ceremony

● All graduands and guests are expected to stay for the duration of the ceremony. The ceremony will end at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Parking

● Free parking is provided at the Grey Eagle Event Centre

● See the map below

Grad Map


GRADUATION BANQUET

Date: Friday May 30, 2025

Banquet Time: 6:00 p.m.

● The banquet will be held at the same location – Grey Eagle Event Centre

● Pre-purchased banquet tickets are required for admittance to the event

● Seating is assigned, please refer to your ticket for details

● Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with the programme commencing at 6:30 p.m. Please be in your seats by 6:30 p.m.

● Once the pre-dinner speeches begin, entrance will not be permitted until these are completed so as not to interrupt or distract the guests

● All tables are reserved; absolutely no seating changes will be made

● The dress code is formal/semi-formal

● The Grey Eagle Event Centre is a smoke-free environment

● There are no in and out privileges for the banquet. Once you enter the Event Centre, you and your guests are not permitted to exit and re-enter

● This is a school-sponsored event. No alcohol, vaping, drugs, smoking, etc. is permitted. Security will be checking bags upon entrance to the Event Centre


BANQUET SPEAKER

Applications for banquet speakers are now available on the school website. The following positions are open for audition:

  • Master(s) of Ceremonies
  • Class Historian
  • Toast to the Staff
  • Giving Thanks

Applications are due Wednesday, March 12. The application can be found [here].

GRADUATION REHEARSAL

The graduation rehearsal will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Period 4 - 2:15 pm to 3:30 pm.

  • The rehearsal will be held in the King Gym to review procedures and rehearse the entrance and exit process at the Grey Eagle Event Centre
  • Attendance is mandatory for all Grade 12 students
  • Grad gowns, stoles, and caps will be distributed at the end of the rehearsal

Miscellaneous

Ceremony Suggested Dress

  • Graduands will be wearing burgundy gowns and white/grey/black stoles, with hats and tassels
  • This is a formal event so please dress accordingly. Dress pants, dress shoes, shirts, dresses, skirts, and blouses are acceptable attire. Suit jackets are discouraged, as they may be too warm
  • Wear comfortable shoes with low heels as walking up and down stairs will be required. Do not bring a purse or other items that require carrying

School Sponsored Graduation Events

  • Please be reminded that there are only two school-sponsored events – the May 30, 2025 Graduation Ceremony and the Graduation Banquet. Aftergrad activities or graduating class trips are not sponsored nor promoted by the school.

GRADUATION THEME

Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.

― Rabindranath Tagore

FEES

  • All graduands must pay their graduation ceremony fees online through PowerSchool or in person at the Business Office - $70. This fee includes:
    • Keepsake grad gown/stole/cap/tassel
    • Program and certificate
    • Ceremony room rental
  • Please ensure all school fees have been paid by April 17 and outstanding textbooks and library books have been returned
  • All fees must be paid in full to purchase banquet tickets

ARTWORK CONTEST

The Grad 2025 Committee is looking for a Grade 12 Henry Wise Wood student to design the artwork for Grad 2025.  The successful submission is awarded $100.00, and the designer’s name will be printed on the artwork and displayed at the Graduation Banquet.  The cover must reflect the graduation theme.  Contest information is available on the school’s website [click here].

VALEDICTORIAN

The Graduating Class Valedictorian(s) is/are selected by a panel of judges (teachers, students and Administration) that are reflective of the audience at the Graduation Ceremony. 

  • Forms are available in the main office and on the school’s website [click here] by Wednesday, February 12, 2025
  • There is a meeting for all interested applicants on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at lunch in room 102
  • Applications are due on Wednesday February 26, 2025.  Late entries will not be considered
  • Auditions will occur after school on Wednesday March 5, 2025, in room 102.

PARTICIPATION IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY

To be eligible for participation in the Graduation Ceremony, Grade 12 students must:

  • Confirm student name is on the initial and subsequent graduation lists posted outside the main office.  A finalized graduation list will be posted early May
    • A student must be within 5 credits, or one component, of their credential to be deemed eligible to participate in the Graduation Ceremony 
    • A student may not be on the graduation list for one or more of the following reasons: 
      • A student is short credits 
      • A student is missing one or more items from their credential and have not discussed a plan to complete them with their counsellor 
      • A student is currently not passing one or more courses necessary to achieving their credential 
  • Be registered in courses that enable them to complete their specific program by June.  Program completion may include:
    • A High School Diploma – 100 credits
    • A Certificate of High School Completion – 80 credits
    • An ELL, ACCESS or PLP program OR
    • Demonstrate they have created a plan with their Guidance Counsellor/ Assistant Principal for completion of their program by the end of August (95 credits completed by end of June, with enrollment in a 5 credit Summer School Course/online course)
  • Be a positive, contributing member of the Henry Wise Wood student body.  Disciplinary issues or negative conduct may disqualify students from participating in the Graduation Ceremony and/or Graduation Banquet
  • Have paid all school fees and returned all outstanding textbooks and library books
  • Students whose names are not on the list must see Mr. Barile in the main office
  • Grade 12 students, who are not enrolled in classes second semester due to early completion, personal issues or extenuating circumstances, must:
    • Get special permission from the principal to attend the ceremony.  These students must also attend the rehearsal.   
    • Keep in contact with the Main Office or their Guidance Counsellor to stay informed.  Grad information will be available online at https://henrywisewood.cbe.ab.ca/graduation.

Please note:

  • Participation in the ceremonies is not an indication that the student will actually receive the Alberta Diploma. Alberta Education issues official Diplomas upon completion of the Alberta requirements for a High School Diploma.

We look forward to honouring and celebrating our Henry Wise Wood High School Graduating Class of 2025.  Further information will be provided in upcoming newsletter updates.

Grad Photo Bookings

Below is the link for Grade 12 students to book a Prestige Portrait Session at the Lifetouch Calgary Studio. Students who have not had the opportunity to have a graduation session at HWW or would like a second sitting will need to book here.

https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/1dqj327c/?e_id=5556

Step 1 - Select your Session Type - Cap and Gown Grade 12 (30 minutes).

Step 2 - Select your Date. Open dates on calendar are indicated by blue date links.
Step 3 - Select your Time.
Step 4 - Complete the Registration Form.
Step 5 - Confirm your Appointment.

A confirmation email will be sent upon completion of booking. Please note that our Calgary Studio is located at #30, 5329 72 Avenue S.E.

Students are able to book Grad photos with other photography companies. If you would like the photo in the yearbook, please have the proof sent to the HWW yearbook committee before December 18.

GRADUATION COMMITTEE APPLICATION

Applications for Grad Committee are currently available. Applications close Thursday October 24, 2024 at 3:30 p.m