Hudson HS Graduation Ceremony Information

Graduation will be held on Monday, June 8th at 4:00pm

At the Yeungling Center

Click HERE for Graduation Guidelines

HHS Graduation Coordinator

Assistant Principal – Lesley Pingley: lpingley@pasco.k12.fl.us

Graduates

Arrival

Please be advised that the time of arrival for the graduation ceremony for students is 90 minutes (about 1 and a half hours) prior to Graduation. This will coincide with early afternoon/evening traffic that is very heavy based on the location of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Please plan appropriately when leaving your homes and give yourself more than enough time to arrive without incident. Once students and staff have left for the beginning of the ceremony, late students will not be permitted to enter the seating area for graduates. This is University of South Florida Yuengling Center’s security policy and will be strictly enforced. All graduates must enter through the Corral which is located near Gate A at the southwest corner of the Yuengling Center. Once inside the Corral, students will be directed to the appropriate check-in table to pick up their reader card. Please see the map below for additional information.

Security and Bag Policies for USF

No weapons of any kind, no outside food or beverage, no backpacks or other large bags.
Personal bags must be smaller than 12”x12”x12”. These are subject to search upon entry.
All cameras are permitted with the exception of professional cameras with larger lenses.

Seating & Tickets

Seating is unlimited in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Tickets will not be necessary as a result. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted on the floor partitioned off on the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Floor seating is only permitted for invited dignitaries, graduating seniors, band members, faculty and staff, and other invited guests. All of these people will have tickets in order to go to the floor and will be listed on pre-approved lists provided to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. No one else is permitted on the floor of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Those who need handicapped seating would be advised to enter in at Gate A, where there are elevators available. There is handicapped seating available throughout the Yuengling Center. There is also reserved seating for the hearing impaired. Upon entering the Yuengling Center, all people in attendance will be searched by security per Yuengling Center policy.

Diploma Distribution

Once the ceremony has concluded all graduates will be directed out of the Yuengling Center through the Corral the same way they entered the building—inform your family/friends of this to make for an easier reunification process. Diplomas will be distributed in the Corral by alphabet in the same way that students lined up behind the seating for guests. Students who have officially checked out can receive their diplomas and participate in graduation. Only students meeting the behavioral requirements at graduation will receive a diploma. After receiving your diploma, please exit the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We recommend having a pre-arranged meeting place set with your family.

Behavior

Graduation is a momentous occasion not only for the seniors, but also for their parents, families, and friends. For that reason, the ceremony is to be held with dignity and courtesy to others. All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for the occasion, which includes walking across the stage. All participants must comply with the Pasco County Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behavior will result in both students and parents/guardians having to meet with the school administration prior to receiving a diploma.

Improper noises and distractions will not be permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, noisemakers such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, cowbells, and firecrackers, etc. Do NOT bring in beach balls, silly string, or any item that would be deemed inappropriate. We ask that you request family and friends to remain seated throughout the ceremony, except when it is appropriate to stand (during the Pledge of Allegiance, for example), as a courtesy to other graduates and their families and friends. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted in the seating area for graduates.

Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not receive his/her diploma and/or will be turned over to appropriate law enforcement officials. As this is a School District of Pasco County event, alcohol will not be permitted inside of any of the areas in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center dedicated to the graduation ceremony.

Dress Expectations

Dress Code for Graduates: Dress pants and dress shirt with tie, a dress or skirt and blouse or pantsuit are recommended outfits. If wearing pants, wear matching/dark socks with dress shoes. No sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc. are allowed. We recommend that students not wear high heels, as there will be a lot of walking and stair climbing. No visible “bulky” jewelry, scarves, ribbons, etc. are permitted.

Personal Items: Leave purses, cameras, and personal items with a parent or friend in the audience; they may not be taken in during the processional. Flowers or corsages are NOT permitted.

Graduation Gowns: We have ordered all caps and gowns for students. Please do not order a second cap and gown from Herff Jones. Please carry your cap and gown into the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We will not have extra gowns on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. Gowns are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them.

Graduation Cap: The mortarboard (graduation cap) is to be worn flat with the tassel over the right eye. Once the seniors are declared graduates, the tassel is moved to the left side in unison with the class. Mortarboards are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them, nor can they be decorated. We will not have extra caps or tassels on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony.

Failure to comply with the dress policy may result in the student not being permitted to participate in the ceremony. Security will do a visual search and wand of all of the graduates and any guests to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center.

Academic Advisor(s)

Administrator: Leslie Pingley – lpingley@pasco.k12.fl.us
Counselor: Natasha McCloud – nmccloud@pasco.k12.fl.us
Graduation Coach: Edina Mercurio – emercuri@pasco.k12.fl.us
Sponsor(s): Natasha McCloud – nmccloud@pasco.k12.fl.us