Dear EHS Seniors and Families:
It is hard to believe that in a very short amount of time you will be celebrating your High School Graduation! We are excited to share this memorable time with all of you, and we are looking forward to the fun months we have ahead of us.
We want to provide you with information about graduation events, and share dates and times, so you can plan accordingly. Please be sure to note all of these important dates for each of the senior events. Please keep reading!
Commencement Ceremony 2025 – Calvin University:
Commencement will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Calvin University- Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex in the Van Noord Arena, located at 3195 Knight Way SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Commencement will begin at 7:00 PM. Seniors will not be allowed to leave their vehicles parked overnight at Calvin. The senior parent planned all-night party buses will pick graduates up at Calvin to take them to the venue and return them to EHS the next morning (May 15) at approximately 5-5:15 AM.
Commencement Tickets:
Tickets will be provided to seniors immediately following the Senior Recognition Ceremony in the auditorium lobby. If students aren’t able to get them at the Senior Recognition Ceremony, the tickets will be available to pick up in the main office. Ten tickets will be provided for each senior family. If you need more tickets, please contact Robin Talcott at rtalcott@fhps.net.
Commencement Day – Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at Calvin University:
8:15 AM: (optional) Senior Breakfast for Students Only at Applebees on East Beltline.
10:00 AM: (sharp) Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal at Calvin University- Spoelhof Fieldhouse Complex in the Van Noord Arena, located at 3195 Knight Way SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. If you plan to participate in Commencement, 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 14, 2025 at Calvin University:
6:00 PM – (sharp) Seniors Arrive
6:00 PM – Doors open for our guests to arrive. More information will be coming about parking. Seats are first come/first serve.
7:00 PM – Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm.
Note: Recessional – we ask all our families and guests to remain seated during the recessional. Please wait for all the graduates to leave and you may meet your graduate outside.
Senior Recognition Ceremony – Friday, May 9, 2025:
This event will highlight the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. Please click Here for the Senior Rec link for live streaming.
.12:00 PM: Seniors report to EHS wearing Gowns and Stoles only (no cap)to the Auditorium
12:30-2:00 PM: Recognition Ceremony – Eastern High Main Gym (please use the athletic entrance) Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event.
Senior Recognition and Commencement Ceremonies – Live Streaming:
The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed. Please Click Here for the Graduation Ceremnony link for live streaming.
Jim Hill Photo will be taking individual Commencement Ceremony pictures of the 2025 graduates which will also be available for sale; more information to follow.
Senior Recognition and Commencement Attire:
Graduation ceremonies are provided for those who wish to participate. These are dignified occasions and we are confident that all graduates will dress and act appropriately. Please note the following guidelines:
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.
Caps & Gowns:
These items will be distributed at the senior meeting in the Auditorium at EHS on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM. Seniors that can not attend this senior meeting may pick up their cap and gown in the main office starting Wednesday, March 12. Seniors must wear their graduation gowns & stoles for Senior Recognition; and their caps, gowns and stoles for the Commencement Ceremony.
Behavior Prior to Commencement:
As a privilege, seniors will be released several instructional days before other students. For this reason, we do not condone a senior skip day and would appreciate parental support. Seniors’ last scheduled school day is May 5, 2025 (with senior exams scheduled for May 6-7, 2025). 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 FHE/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 EHS, 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!
Scholarships/Awards/Post High School Plans:
Your post high school plans (college selection, scholarships, honors/awards, military service, careers, gap year, etc) will be printed in the June “Focus” publication. Please complete this form by May 16th to be certain of inclusion. 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.)
May (Senior Exams Schedule 2025)
Monday, May 5 – Last school day for seniors
Tuesday, May 6 – Senior Exams for 1st – 3rd hour
(Report to the Media Center at 7:40 AM for these exams)
Wednesday, May 7 – Senior Exams for 4th -6th hours
(Report to the Media Center at 7:40 AM for these exams)
On both May 6 and May 7, you may leave when your exams are completed. YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND CLASSES ON EITHER OF THESE DAYS.
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Graduation Activities/Events
5/9 12:30 PM Senior Recognition Ceremony (Main Gym); Seniors report at 12:00 PM to Auditorium
5/14 8:15 AM (optional) Senior Breakfast at Applebees on East Beltline
5/14 10:00 AM Mandatory Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal – Calvin University
5/14 6:00 PM Seniors Arrive at Calvin University
5/14 7:00 PM Commencement Ceremony – Calvin University
5/14 9:10-9:30 PM Graduates board buses leave Calvin University to All-Night Party destination
5/15 4:45-5:00 AM Buses return to EHS from the All-Night Party
Calvin Map:
