We know there is a lot of excitement that comes with the end of high school as students prepare for graduation, and we hope this information will help you in your planning. We want this to be a special time for students, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
We are pleased to confirm that our commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday May 30, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Other Important Dates:
Senior Class Night - Thursday, May 9, 6pm-9pm (Savage Mill Great Room)
Senior Exams: May 15 - 21 (during the school day)
Senior Awards Ceremony: Friday, May 17, 8:00am-10:30am
Last day for Seniors: Wednesday, May 22
Senior Picnic: Wednesday, May 22
Completion of all final exams and attendance at senior meetings and rehearsals from May 15, 2024 to May 22, 2024 is MANDATORY. Seniors must attend all three (3) graduation rehearsals listed below in order to participate in graduation.
Mandatory Events for Seniors:
May 20, 2024: 9:55am to 12:15pm – Graduation Rehearsal/MHHS Auditorium.
May 21, 2024: 9:55am to 12:15pm – Graduation Rehearsal/MHHS Auditorium.
May 22, 2024: 7:50am to 10:45am – Graduation Rehearsal/MHHS Auditorium.
If a student experiences an emergency illness on the day of a scheduled rehearsal, the student’s parent or guardian must email mhhsabsence@hcpss.org and kathryn_carlsen@hcpss.org by 7:30 am to explain the reason for the absence. Graduation deserves the highest priority. Seniors are expected to rearrange schedules in order to attend mandatory practices and events.
Prompt arrival and perfect attendance at all required events will ensure a smooth and dignified ceremony that you will be proud to attend. We need the support of all parents and students to make our 2024 graduation a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. Please ensure you and your students have read the graduation instructions and calendar included in this packet.
Sincerely,
Katie Clark
Principal
Kathryn Carlsen and Nick Dogas
Graduation Coordinators
Participation in the graduation ceremony is not mandatory. Students who elect not to participate in the ceremony are still expected to attend school from 7:50 am to 2:35 pm during each school day through May 22, 2024. All students must have an approved absence or early dismissal note for any absence from school. Although participation in the graduation ceremony is voluntary, attendance at all senior meetings/rehearsals is mandatory. Students need to be on time and stay for the full event.
If a student experiences an emergency illness on the day of a scheduled rehearsal, the student’s parent or guardian must email mhhsabsence@hcpss.org and kathryn_carlsen@hcpss.org by 7:30am to explain the reason for the absence.
Graduates should wear business dress attire. All shirts are to be buttoned, and collars are to be worn inside the gown. No sneakers, tennis shoes, boots, flip flops, or other such footwear is allowed. Please be aware, large earrings and bracelets that can get caught on caps and gowns.
Students may wear stoles, cords, and medallions that represent honors/participation in any high school sponsored honor societies, clubs, and activities. Those are the only approved adornments. Decorating the tops of caps is prohibited.
Caps and gowns are required attire for the Commencement Ceremony. When students receive their graduation gowns, they should hang it up! Wrinkles can be removed by hanging the gown in the bathroom, where the steam will smooth the material.
Each graduate will receive 10 graduation tickets. The guest tickets will allow for seating in the pavilion, but guest(s) may choose to sit in the lawn area. Students will not receive tickets until all school obligations (textbooks, chromebooks, instruments, athletic uniforms) have been fulfilled. Additional tickets will not be available.
Merriweather has handicapped parking by the pavilion. In order to park in the handicapped area, the vehicle must contain the DMV issued placard or license plate . If you do not have a DMV issued handicap parking tag, there will be a drop off point for those guests who are unable to walk from the designated parking lot. Wheelchair-accessible and companion seats are located throughout Section 100, in Row Z of Sections 200-204, and in Row JJ of Sections 300-302.
Seniors are reminded that all school rules and HCPSS policies are in effect at all senior events, both at school and at school-sponsored events.
2024 ceremonies will be livestreamed online and available on-demand following each ceremony at www.hcpss.org and will be rebroadcast on the HCPSS cable channel (Comcast 95, Verizon 42) for Howard County residents.
In keeping with the dignity of the graduation ceremony, we ask that both our seniors and their friends and family refrain from using noise makers, throwing beach balls, or acting in other ways that would detract from the solemnity of the event.
Seniors are to report to the pavilion at 6:00 PM.
Wednesday, 5/15/24 (B Day)
- Period 1 – Class
- Period 2 – Class
- Period 3 – Class
- Period 4B – Exam
- Period 5 – Class
- Period 6 – Class
*Students must take their scheduled AP exam and work with their teachers to make up the missed final exam. AP exams this day: French Language and Culture, World History: Modern, Computer Science Principles, Music Theory
Thursday, 5/16/24 (A Day)
- Period 1 – Class
- Period 2 – Class
- Period 3 – Exam
- Period 4A – Exam
- Period 5 – Class
- Period 6 – Class
*Students must take their scheduled AP exam and work with their teachers to make up the missed final exam. AP exams this day: Spanish Language and Culture, Biology, Japanese Language and Culture
Friday, 5/17/24 (B Day) 3 hour early dismissal
Senior Awards Ceremony (8:00 - 10:30am), Mt. Hebron Auditorium
(only students who received an invitation need to attend this event)
Monday, 5/20/24 (A Day), *Seniors will eat during D lunch
- Period 1 – Exam
- Period 2 – Exam
- Period 3 – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
- Period 4A – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
- Period 5 – Class
- Period 6 – Class
Tuesday, 5/21/24 (B Day), *Seniors will eat during D lunch
- Period 1 – Senior Breakfast
- Period 2 – Senior Picture
- Period 3 – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
- Period 4B – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
- Period 5 – Exam
- Period 6 – Exam
Wednesday, 5/22/24 (A Day), Seniors Last Day
Period 1 – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
Period 2 – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
Period 3 – Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal (Auditorium)
Period 4 – 6: Senior Picnic (Bermuda Field)
Senior Class Night is on May 9, 2024 from 6-9pm at The Great Room at Savage Mill. This is a semi-formal event to celebrate the end of your senior year. There will be a catered meal, DJ and dancing, as well as many door prizes to win! Tickets are $35 each (one per student) and available on Mt. Hebron OSP (or use the QR code).
Senior Picnic! The Senior Picnic will held at Mt. Hebron on your last day of school (May 22) from 11-2pm. Students are welcome to purchase a catered lunch of BBQ Chicken, hamburgers, and sides for $10, or bring their own lunch. The Kona ice truck will also provide a snowball for each senior. Students may bring lawn games and blankets to be outside on the Bermuda field. Tickets can be purchased (one per student) on Mt. Hebron OSP (or use the QR code)
Please sign-up to donate breakfast items to the Senior Breakfast:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AAFA729A6FFC34-49056615-senior
