Bus Service Update for the Week of Oct.18-Oct.22

The following bus routes will not be running the week of October 18 through October 22:

  • Bus #1 – Ada Vista Elementary, Central High, Central Middle, Pine Ridge Elementary
  • Bus #13 – Pine Ridge Elementary, Northern High, Northern Hills Middle
  • Bus #23 – Eastern High, Eastern Middle, Meadow Brook Elementary
  • Bus #69 – Thornapple Elementary, Northern High, Northern Hills Middle
  • Bus #72 – Eastern High, Eastern Middle, Knapp Forest Elementary
  • Bus #74 – Central Woodlands
  • Bus #91 – Ada Elementary, Eastern High, Eastern Middle
  • Bus #94 – Central High, Central Middle, Thornapple Elementary
Home > High Schools > Northern High School > Northern High Senior Class News

Northern High Senior Class News

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

Senior Huskies 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 ahead of us.

We want to provide you with the latest information we have regarding graduation events so you can add them to your calendars. Please be sure to note all of these important dates for each of the senior events. Check back year throughout the year for updates.

Commencement Ceremony 2022

When: May 16, 2022 at 7 PM
Where: Cornerstone University Hansen Fieldhouse (map)
1001 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI

Once you enter into the Cornerstone fieldhouse you will need to make your way to one of the parking lots located on the Cornerstone Campus. Lots C & E are reserved for our Seniors who will be leaving their cars overnight. Staff will be collecting tickets at the door.

Requirements for Graduation

Students must earn 22.5 credits (including the 18 Michigan Merit Curriculum credits) to graduate and participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

Senior Exams

  • May 10 (Tuesday) – 0 hour exam
  • May 11 (Wednesday) – Full day – Attend class 1st, 2nd. 3rd hours and take 4th, 5th and 6th hour exams
  • May 12 (Thursday) – Take 1st, 2nd, 3rd hour exams….and DONE!

Caps, Gowns, and Announcements

The Jostens Senior Class Meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 28th during communications break in the auditorium for about 20 minutes. Our Jostens sales representative will be meeting with seniors to discuss everything that will be needed to purchase for the graduation ceremony (cap, gown, stole, tassel) along with showing all the other great things they have to offer.

Preview the Jostens Northern High Order Website

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 in the South Gym.

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 14th to be included in the Commencement program. A link to a form to share this information is coming soon! Regarding college Information: submit only information for the college you have been accepted to and plan to attend.)

Commencement Events

Senior Recognition Ceremony

Friday, May 13, 2022
Northern High School (North Gym)

Senior Recognition Ceremony: The FHN Senior Recognition Ceremony will be held at 9:00 am on Friday, May 13 in the North Gymnasium. Seniors are asked to be in the Commons by 8:15 am (seniors should wear their gowns – no caps). Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend this very special occasion. Seniors (only) luncheon will follow the recognition ceremony.

Commencement tickets will be distributed following this event. If your senior is not able to attend, they may pick up their tickets beginning Monday morning in the office.

Commencement Day

Monday May 16, 2022
Cornerstone University (map)

9:00 am – Senior Breakfast (optional)
Seniors are invited to partake in a senior breakfast (location and details to be announced soon).

10:00 am – Rehearsal for Commencement
Rehearsal for Commencement will begin at 10:00 am on May 16, immediately following Senior Breakfast, at the Cornerstone University Fieldhouse.

If you plan to participate in Commencement, you must attend this practice. It will last no more than two hours as long as students are on time, attentive, and cooperative.

Please park in Lots C or E at the college. You will need to park in Lots C or E again when you come to graduation (this lot will have security for the evening).

Commencement Evening

Monday May 16, 2022
Cornerstone University (map)

6:00 pm (sharp)
Seniors must be in the dressing area at 6pm sharp. Seniors are to park in Lots C & E.

7:00 pm
Commencement Ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 pm. After graduation seniors may pick up their diploma from their Counselor in the lobby.

9:00 pm
Seniors will depart from Cornerstone at approximately 9:00 pm for the All-Night Graduation Party.

Students are reminded to bring clothes to wear to the party. If possible, graduation clothes and diplomas should be given to family members following the ceremony. Security will be provided for cars left overnight in Lots C & E. Buses will drop students off at about 4:00 am. on Wednesday.

Remember, the only way to go to the party is to get on that yellow limousine one last memorable time!

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.
  • Gowns & Stoles – 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.

Behavior Prior to Graduation

Everyone is concerned about the possibility of needless tragedy. We must remind students and families about the consequences of inappropriate behaviors. It is important to keep in mind any senior found under the influence of, using, or possessing drugs or alcohol at any school event leading up to graduation, may not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

This is one of the best times of a senior’s life thus far. We want to do everything we can to make it an enjoyable experience for all. This being said, we ask for everyone’s cooperation (parents and students) in making positive choices. Any type of vandalism to Northern will not be tolerated. Anyone on the grounds or in the building other than during scheduled, supervised activities may face discipline and/or prosecution. It is especially important for parents to have this conversation with seniors during the week of May 9th – seniors’ last week. It would be extremely unfortunate for any student to do anything to jeopardize his/her participation in the commencement ceremonies.