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Home > Northern High News > NHS Senior Class News > 2021 Northern High Senior Graduation Information

2021 Northern High Senior Graduation Information

April 21, 2021 Posted In: NHS Senior Class News

photo collage of graduates in cap and gown posing for the camera with words reading Forest Hills Northern High Seniors - Ubuntu!

Dear FHN Seniors and Families:

CONGRATULATIONS!! You are about to experience one of the most memorable times in your life: High School Graduation! We are excited for all of you, and we are looking forward to the fun months we have ahead of us.

We want to provide you with NEW and UPDATED information about graduation events and reshare dates and times, so you know what is coming up. We also want to share information about commencement, behavior expectations, and dress code. Please be sure to note all of these important dates for each of the senior events. The surveys and applications are not due until a later date.

Reminder: There may be changes depending on COVID restrictions closer to the dates for graduation activities

Commencement Ceremony 2021

Commencement will take place on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the LMCU Ballpark (formerly 5/3 Ballpark) located at 4500 West River Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49321. Commencement will begin at 7:00 pm. Once you enter the LMCU Ballpark, there will be staff directing you as to where senior families and guests will park. Guests/ Families will need to make their way to the Home Plate Parking Lot and enter through the main entrance gate. Seniors can park in the Outfield Parking Lot and enter through Gate “C”.  Please view the maps of the complex at the bottom of this page.

Caps, Gowns, and Announcements

If your senior has not yet picked up their pre-ordered cap and gown and/or announcements we have them in the office. Seniors must wear their graduation gowns for Senior Recognition; and their caps and gowns for the Commencement Ceremony.

Commencement Tickets

At this time we are planning for each senior to receive six (6) tickets. This is subject to change due to COVID restrictions. Tickets will be provided to your senior immediately following the Senior Recognition Ceremony at the Fine Arts Center lobby. If they are not able to attend they may come to the main office to pick up their tickets the following morning, Tuesday, May 18th.

Senior Recognition and Commencement Ceremony – Live Streaming

Senior Recognition and the Commencement Ceremony will be live-streamed and recorded. Information on how to live stream will be sent in May.

Commencement Ceremony Pictures

Jim Hill Photography will be taking individual pictures of the 2021 graduates which will also be available for sale; more information to follow.

Scholarships/Awards/Post High School Plans

Please share your post-high school plans (college selection, scholarships, honors/awards, military service, careers, gap year, etc).

Students must submit this information by Thursday, April 15 to be included in the Commencement program. Please share this information by using the Post High School Information Form. (Regarding college Information: submit only information for the college you have been accepted to and plan to attend.)

Senior Recognition and Commencement Attire and Behavior

Graduation ceremonies are provided for those who wish to participate. They are dignified occasions and we are confident that all graduates will dress and act appropriately. Graduates who do not meet the dress requirements will not be permitted to participate in the ceremonies.

Please follow these dress guidelines:

  • Boys: Dark dress pants (no jeans), collared shirt, tie, dress shoes, and dark socks (no athletic shoes, boots, or sandals).
  • Girls: Knee/calf-length dress, or skirt/dress slacks and a blouse, dress shoes (no athletic shoes, flip-flops, or boots); no corsages are to be worn on gowns. Purses should be left with parents or at home. Please Note: This year, because the ceremony is at the ballpark, ladies will not be allowed to wear high heels. They may wear wedges, platforms, or flats. Ladies will be provided with flip-flops if they show up in heels.
  • Gowns – Please steam or press gowns with a cool iron.
  • Caps – Caps should be worn flat on the head (bobby-pinned if necessary). No decor is allowed on the cap.

photo collage of graduates in their cap and gowns, receiving their diplomas

Commencement Events

Senior Recognition Ceremony

Tuesday May 18, 2021
Forest Hills Fine Arts Center

This event will highlight the accomplishments of the Class of 2021.

6:15 pm: Seniors report to the Fine Arts Center wearing Gowns and Stoles only (no cap)
7:00 pm: Recognition Ceremony will be held at the Fine Arts Center

Attendance: At this time, seniors only will attend this event and it will be live-streamed for families and guests.

Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event.

If your senior is not able to attend, they may pick up their tickets beginning Tuesday morning in the office.

Commencement Day

Wednesday May 19, 2021
LMCU Ballpark (map)

9:00 am (optional) Senior Breakfast at LMCU Ballpark.

10:00 am (sharp) Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal at the LMCU Ballpark (formerly 5/3 Ballpark) located at 4500 West River Drive, Grand Rapids, MI 49321. Seniors can park in the Outfield Parking Lot and enter through Gate “C”. If you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, you must attend this rehearsal. The practice will last approximately two hours and it helps to ensure that the evening ceremony runs smoothly

Commencement Evening

Wednesday May 19, 2021
LMCU Ballpark (map)

6:00 pm – (sharp) Seniors Arrive – to the Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Deck. The Seniors designated parking area is the Outfield Lot and you will enter at Gate C. If you are being dropped off, your family and guests may continue on to park in the Home Plate parking lot and enter through the main entrance.

6:00 pm – Doors open for our guests to arrive. Guests, please park in the South Lot and enter through the Main Entrance. Seats are first come/ first serve and masks are required to be worn and 6ft of social distancing between family groups and/or guests.

7:00 pm – Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.

Note: Recessional – we ask all our families and guest to remain seated during the recessional. Please wait for all the graduates to leave and you may meet your graduate outside of the stadium in the North parking lot.

9:15 pm– Buses will depart the Class of 2021 All Night Graduation Party from LMCU Ballpark. If possible, graduation clothes and diplomas should be left with someone following the ceremony. No bags, purses or cell phones may be bright on the buses. Remember, the only way to go to the party is to get on the yellow limousine one last time.

Behavior Prior to Commencement

We want to remind our seniors of the importance of making good choices both in and out of school. It is important to keep in mind that any senior who violates FHN/District policies (i.e. use, possession, or sale of drugs or alcohol at any event leading up to commencement), or engages in any type of vandalism or prank at FHN, may impact their ability to participate in graduation ceremonies. Students on school grounds (other than during scheduled supervised activities) may also be subject to legal action. It is important that families and the school work together to supervise student activities leading up to graduation. It is our hope that students do not do anything to jeopardize their opportunity to be a part of all of the important and meaningful activities!

We are so excited to celebrate this wonderful time with you and your family. High School Graduation is such a special time, and we look forward to the many fun events ahead!

FHN Senior Events/Activities Calendar

May 1, 2021
  • Senior Celebration

    May 1, 2021  7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
    Barn 1888, 1888 128th Ave, Hopkins, MI 49328, USA

    The senior celebration is a formal event for seniors, that is similar to a senior dinner dance, without dancing. It’s being held on May 1 at the Barn 1888 (https://www.barn1888.com/). 

    Please direct all questions to tmorrison@fhps.net

    See more details

May 3, 2021
  • SENIORS LAST DAY!! (if not taking exams)

    May 3, 2021  11:00 am - 12:00 pm

    See more details

May 4, 2021
  • Senior exams 4, 5, 6 (if you signed up)

    May 4, 2021  7:30 am - 2:00 pm

    If you have signed up to take a final exam please watch your email for testing times and room locations

    See more details

May 5, 2021
  • Senior exams 4, 5, 6 (if you signed up)

    May 5, 2021  7:30 am - 2:30 pm

    If you signed up to take a final exam please watch your email for testing times and room locations.

    See more details

May 7, 2021
  • Last Day to sign up for Senior Breakfast

    May 7, 2021

    $10 payable in the office

    See more details

May 18, 2021
  • Senior Recognition Ceremony

    May 18, 2021  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, 600 Forest Hill Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA

    6:15 pm: Seniors report to the FAC wearing gowns and stoles only (no cap)
    Attendance: At this time, seniors only will attend this event and it will be live-streamed for families
    and guests.

    Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event.

    If your senior is not able to attend, they may pick up their tickets beginning Tuesday morning in the office.

    See more details

May 19, 2021
  • Senior Breakfast (Optional)

    May 19, 2021  9:00 am - 10:00 am
    LMCU Ballpark, 4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321, USA

    See more details

  • Commencement Rehearsal- Mandatory

    May 19, 2021  10:00 am - 11:00 am

    Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal 10:00 am

    See more details

  • Commencement Ceremony

    May 19, 2021  7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
    LMCU Ballpark, 4500 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321, USA

     Seniors Arrive - to the Pioneer State Mutual Insurance Deck. 


    The Seniors designated parking area is the Outfield Lot and you will enter at Gate C. If you are being dropped off, your family and guests may continue on to park in the Home Plate parking lot and enter through the main entrance.


    6:00 pm - Doors open for our guests to arrive. 
    Guests, please park in the South Lot and enter through the Main Entrance. Seats are first come/ first serve and masks are required to be worn and 6ft of social distancing between family groups and/or guests.


    7:00 pm - Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.

    See more details

Second Semester Senior Exam Exemption for 2020-2021

Senior Exam Exemption Criteria:

  • Students must be passing all classes.
  • Students must have an 85% (or higher) in the class he/she is intending to not take the exam.
  • Students can not have any unexcused absences.
  • Students can not have more than two tardies per class (2nd – 6th hour). If first hour tardies are excessive and consistent, this will impact the opportunity to be exempt from the exam as well.
  • Students can not have violated the student code of conduct.
  • Students can not have a cell phone violation (second semester).
  • Students cannot have any mask violations (this will begin March 4, 2021).

If all of these criteria are met during the second semester, you may waive your exams.

LMCU Stadium Map

diagram of the LMCU Stadium depicting the podium stage in the center of the field with grad and staff seating along the left and right of the pitchers mound and homeplate. Grad staging area will be held in the NE corner of the stadium

LMCU Stadium Parking Map

diagram of the parking areas at LMCU ballpark. Enter the ballpark from the south with parent and family parking just south of the main entrance. Staff parking on the southeast side of the ballpark and senior parking in the outfield lot north of the ballpark


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