CLASS OF 2025

• Click here to learn more about our Academic Boosters Scholarship Drive for Class of 2025 Seniors

• Senior Congratulatory ads can be purchased to be in the Odyssey Yearbook. Ads could be a combination of baby/family photos, artwork, poetry, quotes, personalized writing, etc.

  Please see examples and additional information on the West Senior High Odyssey Yearbook’s website. Deadline to submit Senior Congratulatory Ads is Friday, February 28th, 2025. All three components (order form, writing/copy, photo(s)) must be submitted by February 28th, 2025, in order for the ad to be in the yearbook. Form Link

  Any questions? Please contact Laura Henion at henionla@tcapsstudent.net.

• FASFA OPEN: Class of 2025 Seniors are strongly encouraged to complete the Federal Financial Aid application for post-high school programs. Under current programs, a very high percentage of Michigan families qualify for funds.

• FASFA website (go here to begin and complete the FASFA process) https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
• Is my parent a "contributor" when I fill out my FASFA form? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wZWOiwsxtW1f09eQl6GuM7qXgrTFy66Q/view
• FASFA Support Sessions from NMC https://www.nmc.edu/financial-aid/financial-aid-events.html (You can attend these utilize sessions even if you plan to attend somewhere besides NMC).

• January 27 - Senior Class Meeting #2 (9:10am in the Auditorium)

• Feb 28 - Senior Yearbook Ads

• March 3 - Local Scholarship Deadline (& Achievement of Excellence deadline)
  

• April 9 - Seniors work REMOTELY on post-secondary exploration (CTC, NMC as normal)

• April 15- Senior Class Meeting #3 and Jostens Graduation Order Pick-Up (Commons)

• April 15-Senior Parent Meeting #2 in the LMC at 5:30pm

• April 22-Senior Interviews 1pm-7pm

• May 5-16 – Advanced Placement Testing

• May 10- Prom G.T. Resort – Governor’s Hall, 8:00 pm

• May 19 - Last week of Classes for Seniors

• May 20 - HONORS CONVOCATION, 6pm (invite only) - Details below

• May 21 - Senior Yearbook Distribution in LMC during lunch

• May 23 - Last required day for CTC Seniors that are on track for credit (May 26th can be used as a make up day)

• May 23 - Final School Day for Seniors (Parents welcome to greet Seniors outside the school at 2:45pm). Seniors that are on campus this day need to be IN CLASS until the end of 6th hour. - Details below

• May 28 (Wednesday) Graduation Rehearsal - REQUIRED (9am) & Senior Celebration Day - details will be coming soon.

• June 1 Graduation Ceremony - 4:00pm. - details below

All Seniors need to complete the SENIOR SURVEY. Transcripts will be send after S2 final grades post based on the information entered on your Senior Survey. Future transcript sends can be ordered at https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/99237/account

https://www.gtrcf.org/scholarships/apply.html

Our local and regional scholarship application opened January 15, 2025 and will remain open until March 3, 2025. This is a great opportunity to apply to a variety of different scholarships in one application.

Every year these scholarships award over $70,000 to our students. The scholarships are from local businesses and community organizations that are dedicated to helping our students achieve their college and career goals.
Make time to fill out the application before the deadline to be considered for some of these scholarships. There are some scholarships that are not academic-based so if you feel you don’t qualify still fill out the application because there might be some that fit your career goals, activites, or volunteer efforts. Scholarship recipients are announced at Honors Convocation in May 2025.

The application is through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

Achievement of Excellence Award Applications & Portfolios are also Due March 3rd: Achievement of Excellence Award and Application Criteria

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, WSH will run a special schedule for SAT and PSAT Testing (Grades 9-11th). Seniors will have a virtual, asynchronous learning opportunity shared to their student email on Wednesday, April 9. You do not need to report to WSH on Wednesday (4/9). However, Seniors that are enrolled at CTC will still need to attend their afternoon CTC classes. The bus from WSH will run at its normal time. Seniors that arrive on campus on Wednesday (4/9) will need to remain in the commons for a quiet study hall.

Normal classes will resume on Thursday, April 10 for all seniors.

WSH Seniors are required to complete a Senior Exit Interview as part of their high school experience. Students with an IEP do not need to sign up for an exit interview as they meet this requirement by conducting their Student-Led IEP Meeting. Additionally, CTC students complete interviews and meet this requirement within their program at CTC.

When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Time: 1:00 - 7:00 PM

Seniors will sign-up using this Google Form

• All interviews will be 1:1 with a Traverse City community member
• Interviews will take about 15-20 minutes
• Seniors need to bring an updated resume
• Seniors should come dressed for an interview

If you know of any community members interested in conducting interviews with our seniors, please share this Google Form with them.

Saturday, May 10, 2025, 8:00-11:00pm at the Grand Traverse Resort

WSH Juniors & Seniors may attend

Theme: TBD

Dress: Formal

Guests: WSH Juniors & Seniors may bring 1 pre-approved guest (9th grade thru recent graduates). Sign up and ticket sales information will be available closer to the event

*Tickets for all dances must be purchased in advance (sold during lunch a week prior to the dance). No ticket sales at the door.

• By May 23 - Seniors must have all course work completed so final grades can be calculated for West classes, Career Tech Center and Virtual classes. Seniors are encouraged to avoid waiting until Friday to complete any final projects, etc.
• May 21, Wednesday- Yearbook Distribution & Signing in the SMALL GYM (SENIORS ONLY) after 3rd period
• May 23 is the last day for NorthEd Career Tech classes for Seniors
• May 23 is the last day for Virtual Classes for Seniors
• By May 23 - Return all school-owned materials (uniforms, textbooks, instruments, library books). This includes all TCAPS Chromebook computers and power supply cables. If you are done with your device early, you can turn it in early to miss the rush. Seniors that do not return all of their publicly owned items may not walk in the Graduation ceremony
• May 23 - Seniors' Last Day. This is a regular school day at West. Seniors are reminded that they need to complete any outstanding coursework on this day and not to disrupt the 1200 underclassmen that have regular classes that day. Seniors that are on campus this day need to be IN CLASS during 1st-3rd periods. Seniors are also reminded not to loiter in school parking lots over night or leave vehicles parked at school overnight. Seniors that have completed all of their obligations are invited to the Track for lunch and activities starting at 11:12am (this will last all afternoon).
• Senior & parents are invited to join the Drumline at 2:45pm to march out on their last day (parents can meet in the Commons at 2:45).
• Seniors, please do not plan 'pranks' or engage in destruction of each other's property on this day. School rules and Michigan laws still apply on Senior's last day. Continue to be kind to those around you on your last day.

Direct Link to the video of our 2025 Honors Convocation Ceremony: will be available closer to the event

For Seniors that have received an invitation to Honors Convocation:

• Honors Convocation takes place in the Auditorium and tickets are not required for parents and other guests. Seating will be limited, so please come early if you want a seat and please move to the middle of the rows so all seats can be used. The live stream will run on the big screen in the LMC for any families that prefer a larger space to watch portions of the ceremony or for overflow seating.
  
• Honors Convocation is an invite-only event. Invites will be sent the week of May 1st.
• We will have a rehearsal at the start of 3rd period on Tuesday, May 20. Please line up in the music wing hallway based on the sheets that are on the wall.
• Dress Code is Formal: Gown, no cap or stoll, dress shoes, collared shirt, Seniors may wear cords that have already received prior to Honors Convocation (various Honor Societies, blue service cord).
  
• Ceremony begins at 6:00pm, Seniors should line up by 5:30pm in the music wing.
• The ceremony will be streamed live on TCAPS Media Live Stream Page http://www.tcaps.net/live . An edited version of the ceremonies will be posted a few days after the ceremony at: https://www.tcaps.net/programs/highschools/
  
• Seniors will meet their families in the Commons after the ceremony. Families are welcome to take photos in various indoor and outdoor locations on campus after the ceremony.
  
• Honors Convocation routinely lasts more than two and half hours, so please plan appropriately.
• All Local Scholarships & the Achievement of Excellence recipient are announced at Honors Convocation.
• Magna & Summa Honors cords are distributed during Honors Convocation.
• Each Senior invited to Honors Convocation will have a copy of the commemorative program in the packet they pick up at Graduation Rehearsal.
  

Graduation Rehearsal is required for any Senior who is planning to participate in the Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony. Rehearsal will take place at Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium promptly at 9:00am.

The Senior Celebration will take place following rehearsal. - updated Senior Celebration info from January 26th, 2025:

Dear TCW Families of 2025 Graduates,

We are fast approaching the middle of senior year, and preparations have begun for the Class of 2025 Senior Celebration on which will be held on Wednesday, May 28th.

First and foremost, we will need a LOT of help getting prizes for the 331 students, or cash donations (to help purchase prizes) for the celebration. If you or someone you know has a business that would be willing to donate an item or cash to the students’ celebration, please reach out to Sara Bageris (sbageris5@gmail.com or Meagan Alvarado at mkalvarado318@gmail.com. We rely heavily on cash donations to get prizes and help cover costs for some of the events. Students will buy a ticket that will help cover the cost of the day, but we are trying to keep that cost down for students and in some cases, offer help to students who may not be able to afford to attend. We also have created an amazon wishlist making it easy for families to share with networks to help donate items as prizes. A facebook page has also been created with updates: TC West Class of 2025 Senior Party.

Senior Celebration will include:

*Senior breakfast and games at Oaky’s Tavern following a morning graduation rehearsal at Interlochen.

* Incredible Mo’s for a few hours (late afternoon to evening) of games, prizes for all and FUN.

If you would like to make a cash donation, you can use the following link : https://donorbox.org/tc-west-class-of-2025-senior-party?preview=1737502073

Please feel free to share with extended family and friends as well.

Thank you so much,

The TCW Class of 2025 Senior Celebration Committee

Meagan Alvarado

Sara Bageris

Jill Lockhart

Cherie Robinson

Heather Wares

• 4pm start @ Interlochen Arts Academy, Kresge Auditorium (4000 M-137, Interlochen, MI 49643)

• Seniors should arrive by 2:30pm, gather at Giddings Concourse (give yourself plenty of time to park and walk in)

• Interlochen is a drug free, tobacco free, alcohol free, weapon free campus (no tailgating please)
  

• Please park in the designated areas. Vehicles that park on M-37 or in non-parking areas may be towed.

• Seniors leave with their actual diploma

• No tickets are required, families can bring as many guests as they wish

• Interlochen no longer can offer shuttle service in the parking areas. Families can drop off family members with mobility issues just inside the entrance gate and then go to their parking spot.

• The graduation will be streamed live at http://www.tcaps.net/live

• Graduation Foto will take two professional photos of each Senior at Graduation. Use this link to get pre-registered and then Graduation Foto will send you proofs after the ceremony. https://www.gradphotonetwork.com/qpplus/register/direct/event/2089/27229608

Graduation Attire

• Required attire: official cap, tassel, stole and gown. Formal attire is strongly recommended under graduation gown.

• Allowable modifications: Graduates may modify their required graduation attire to acknowledge items of cultural, religious, or personal significance. Any modifications must be in line with TCAPS existing student appearance policy.

• Honors Cords: The honors cords distributed by TCAPS based on academic accomplishments or service are listed in the graduation program. Graduates may wear national honor society cords they have earned from entities outside of TCAPS.

• Direct Link to the video of our 2025 Honors Convocation Ceremony: <<will be posted as event occurs>>
• Direct link to the 2025 Graduation Video: <<will be posted as event occurs>>
• Programs and videos will be posted here: <<will be posted as event occurs>>

Individual Senior Graduation Photos: Graduation Foto will take two professional photos of each Senior at Graduation. Use this link to get pre-registered and then Graduation Foto will send you proofs after the ceremony.

E-mail pohlmanha@tcaps.net for WSH logo authorization for cakes and other graduation party items.

Transcripts Sent to Final College Choice: Final Transcripts will be sent at the end of June to each student's final college choice as they listed on their Senior Survey. Please e-mail Mrs. Jean ASAP if there is a change in where college that their final transcript should be sent jeanpa@tcaps.net . Future transcript request can be made online via Parchment at: https://www.parchment.com/order/my-credentials/

Files: Please make sure you have backed up any data from your TCAPS account that you want to keep by TBD.Google Takeout Documentation and application links have been added to your Cloud. Seniors should also make sure that any accounts they want to access in the future (college board, etc) are changed to an e-mail besides their @tcapsstudent.net account. Access to your TCAPS account/files is only guaranteed through <<Date TBD in May>>>.

You can order the whole group Class of 2025 photo at:

Enter your e-mail, then click on "MyPhotos" to review the options.

Senior Edition of the Occidentalist student newspaper

• Fall 2024 Senior Parent Meeting Slides
• September 27 - Senior Class Photo & Senior Meeting at 9am
• October 2 - Jostens/Graduation Orders
• October 7 - Parent Senior Meeting 6:00pm in the LMC
• October 9 - Seniors work REMOTELY on post-secondary exploration (CTC, NMC attend as normal)
• October 9 - NMC College Open House
• October 12- Homecoming Dance
• Oct 15 - Senior Assembly College Application Month

• December 6 - SENIOR YEARBOOK PHOTO DEADLINE Odyssey Yearbook 411

• SENIOR PHOTO DIRECTIONS

• January 17 - End of 1st semester classes (includes virtual)
  

• Thru the end of 1st semester: Seniors should check the DIPLOMA NAME list posted outside the counseling office. Please see Mrs. Pohlman in the main office if your name is not listed how you want it PRINTED on your diploma.