Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony

May 17, 2025 6:30pm

Chaifetz Arena

• Doors will open for guests at 5:30 p.m.

• Guests: We are not limiting the number of guests per graduate.

• Tickets: There will be no tickets for entry to Chaifetz Arena.

• Parking: Parking is paid by guests in the Olive/Compton garage. Fees will be announced in the spring. Street parking is available but limited.

• Duration: The ceremony lasts approximately 1.5 hours, depending on the size of the class.

Class Work

Regular class work continues in all classes for the members of the Class of 2025 through 10:05 a.m. on Friday, May 9. The last weeks of the school term are crucial for seniors. Each senior must be certain that all required work such as class assignments, special reports, projects, and tests are turned in/completed by Friday, May 9. Senior exams will begin on May 6.

Financial Obligations

All financial obligations must be paid by May 9. This includes the return of all textbooks, library books, classroom fees, sports uniforms/activity fees, and equipment. A diploma will not be issued until all financial obligations are met.

NO DIPLOMA WILL BE ISSUED IF ALL OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS ARE NOT MET!

The payment for cap and gown is $60.00 (non-refundable), and you can pay online at webster.revtrak.net. Remember, all students will keep their cap and gown. The deadline to order is January 17, 2025. Please contact adams.teresa@wgmail.org with any questions.

*Cap/Gowns are released at the last station during Senior Check-out on May 9.

THIS IS NOT A RENTAL. You will keep your cap and gown.

Visit www.herffjones.com to order!

We will continue to update this newsletter as the year progresses. Shortly before May, we will send out information on how to order graduation photos.

Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form allows you to be considered for federal student aid. In addition, states and colleges use FAFSA information to award their own grants, scholarships, and loans. But, since aid is limited, you have to meet the deadlines!

Visit www.studentaid.gov for more details.

Senior activities are coordinated through the Activities Office. Please email Kim Edwards at edwards.kim@wgmail.org if you have any questions. Also, please note that all dates are subject to change.

February 8, ACT

February 4, College and Career Night, WGHS

February 13, Distribute Senior Packets

April 12, Prom

May 1, Decision Day Celebration and Breakfast

May 1, Senior Awards Night, 7:00 p.m.

May 5-16, AP Exams

May 6-9, Senior Finals

May 9, Last Day for Seniors; Senior Check-out begins at 10:05 a.m.

May 17, Graduation, Chaifetz Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

May 17, All-night Party

January

• Continue to work hard on your studies. Your high school courses continue to count throughout your senior year.
• Request a mid-year report from your counselor, if applicable.
• Submit the FAFSA online if you have not already done so.

February-March

• Local scholarship deadlines (February)
• Continue to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time.
• Watch for financial aid awards from each college. Carefully assess each with regard to how much of your need the award will cover. Inquire about other financing plans if a college does not meet your total need.

May

• Decide where you want to go. May 1 is National College Decision Day.
• Take Advanced Placement (AP) examinations if appropriate (May 5-16). Many colleges offer advanced standing based on AP exam results.

What are your plans for next year?

• It's not too late to make plans! Whether that is adding a new college, military or career plans, we are still here to help you find your path.

• Mid Year Reports/Transcripts should be requested via Naviance and will be sent when transcripts are finalized. This will be no later than Jan. 15th.

• If your cumulative GPA went up significantly after 1st semester, you may consider sending an updated transcript to your schools for admission/scholarship reconsideration.

Finalizing college applications:

• Check with your prospective colleges to be sure all application materials have been received.

Applying for Financial Aid & Scholarships

• Complete the FAFSA (www.studentaid.gov), it opened on Dec. 1st. Please apply for FSA ID ahead of FAFSA completion! Missouri’s priority FAFSA deadline is February 1st.

• Complete any separate applications for scholarships at your prospective colleges

• Completing local scholarship applications (see details below).

• Making sure requirements for the A+ scholarship are complete.

Webster Groves Local Scholarships

• Applications for Webster Groves local scholarships are now available and are due in February.

St. Louis Area Scholarships

• St. Louis Graduates Scholarship Central (Note: Some of these applications have not opened up yet so keep checking back.) This is also where you can apply for Interest Free Student Loans from Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis.

Where can you find other scholarships? There are a number of scholarship databases out there. While it can seem a little overwhelming, it can be very rewarding if you put some time into it.

National Scholarship Searches

Fastweb

College Board’s Big Future

Note: We do not officially endorse any national scholarship search website. Please enter personal information at your own discretion.

Remember - it should never COST you to apply for financial aid or scholarships.

All students, regardless of enrollment status, are expected to attend Senior Check-out at WGHS on May 9 from 10:05 - 3:25 p.m. Senior Check-out is the final step for all seniors to fulfill their academic and financial obligations, obtain final approval from high school administration, and pick up their cap/gown.

We will send more detailed communication to all seniors and their families in April.

Please call us at 314.963.6400, or email erb.mickey@wgmail.org.