Graduation Ceremony

students in graduation gowns seated at ceremony

Graduation 2024

Important Dates

Date

Senior Event
Saturday, April 6 Prom at Fort Lewis College
Wednesday, April 10 No School for Seniors (PSAT/SAT testing for grades 9-11)
Monday-Friday, May 6-17 AP Testing- Check College board for test specific date and time
Monday, May 13 Academic Awards 9th-12th 5:30 - 7:00 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday May 14 & 15
 

Senior Finals
Senior Checkout Sheets available in Post-Secondary Office
Wednesday, May 15
 
 
 Last day of class for all Seniors - Check AP schedule & with teachers to ensure you do not need to attend class after May 15
Friday, May 17
 
 
 

Senior Checkout & Yearbook Distribution - Gym 2- 9 am-2:00 pm (closed 12-1 for  lunch)
Monday, May 20

Senior brunch at Smiley Building on the lawn - 11:00 am
Tuesday, May 21
 
 

MANDATORY Class Meeting- 10:00 - 10:30 am - DHS  Auditorium-  Cap and gown pick up right after class meeting-10:30 Pass out robes and stole 
Wednesday, May 22
 
 
 

Seniors walking elementary school - 10:00 am
Class BBQ - location TBD - 2:00 pm
 Thursday, May 23
 
 
 
 
 

Seniors walking middle school - 10:00 am
Rehearsal- 3:45 - 4:45 pm, DHS Main Gym (MANDATORY)
Senior Celebration- 6:00 - 8:00 pm, DHS Main Gym
Friday, May 24
 
 
 
 
 

Graduation Ceremony (all seniors arrive at 4:45 pm)
Ceremony begins at 6:00 pm
Ceremony live feed presentation will be available
Gates open at 4:30 pm for general public
 
Tuesday, May 30

 

Athletic Awards DHS Auditorium 5:30-7:00 pm

 

2024 Graduation Ceremony Tip Sheet for Families

We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our graduating seniors at the upcoming graduation ceremony on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 6 pm at Durango High School stadium. Below are essential details to help you plan and ensure a smooth and memorable experience for your family:

Date and Time:

  • Graduation is on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 6 pm.

  • We expect the ceremony to run for 90 minutes

  • Spanish translation audio services are available; look for the designated seating section at the north end of the bleachers.

  • Graduating seniors are required to report to the Main Gym by 4:45pm. Please emphasize to your graduate the importance of punctuality.

 

Location and Parking: 

Due to May 24 being a full school day with a normal release time for students at 3:40pm, we are asking for your cooperation to allow a normal school and bus release and exit before allowing incoming graduation attendees to park.

  • Gates and parking open no earlier than 4:30pm for guests. NO early arrivals will be allowed and will be asked to leave campus

  • Due to limited space, we encourage carpooling and parking off-site 

  • Parking for ADA and those with guests needing extra time to arrive is located in the lot in front of the IMPACT center (a.k.a. the current drop off circle) and requires an event-specific dashboard permit, which you can request HERE. This special, DHS-issued, permitted parking is available until the lot and drop off driveway is full.

  • You may also choose to drop off guests in front of the Impact center until this lot is full. Drop off will only be available at this lot. 

  • All access to the ceremony is through the main DHS entrance. Please note that bags will be checked upon entry for security purposes. To expedite this process, we recommend clear bags.

 

Seat Saving and Student Access: 

  • Only DHS students will be allowed to save seats before 4:30 pm. We recommend using blankets tapes to the bleacher. No coolers or backpacks may be left unattended in the Stadium. Students must access the stadium through the front and cafeteria doors. All other seating is on a first come first serve basis.

  • All seating is open at 4:30 pm. DHS and Durango School District 9R is not responsible for any materials left for reservation purposes. 

  • Considering that the Stadium will not be open longer than 90-minutes before the event, you may want to plan to occupy your seats upon arriving for the duration of the event. 

 

What to Bring:

  • Prepare for the weather (in Colorado)! Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle for sunny conditions. A jacket is also advisable as temperatures may drop after the sun sets.Feel free to pack snacks to keep you energized during the ceremony.

Celebration Guidelines:

  • While we encourage enthusiastic support for our graduates, please help us to create an atmosphere of respect and dignity throughout the ceremony.
  • Air horns, bells, or other loud noise-making devices are not permitted as they can disrupt the proceedings and detract from the experience for others.
  • We ask that you silence all electronic devices during the ceremony to minimize distractions.
 
 

Livestream Link:

 
 

Additional Information and reminders:

  • Restrooms at Door 34 at the south end of the stadium concourse and portable toilets at the north end of the concourse are available throughout the ceremony.
  • In case of any emergency or need for assistance, our staff will be readily available to help. Look for volunteers wearing bright pink “Need Help” shirts, including emergency response and law enforcement personnel and a very limited number of wheelchairs.

  • This is a school event; do not bring alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or any prohibited items according to our stadium policies, which prohibit alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and confetti.

  • Please do not bring items that would not otherwise be allowed on school property. Bags. No coolers will be permitted in the stadium.

After Graduation:

  • Diplomas must be picked up in the cafeteria at the end of the ceremony as you exit the event.
  • Graduates who opt not to participate can collect their diplomas from the Registrar’s Office after May 27.

Graduation Photos:

 

Hello! We are so excited to be photographing DHS Graduation for the Class of 2024! There are multiple opportunities for photos this year, so we wanted to make sure you were aware of them. We will be set up from 3-4:30 pm on May 24 (right before graduation) in the cafeteria (next to the gym) to do individual cap & gown photos for anyone who wants one. You do not need to sign up. Just send your senior to our photo station and we'll get them photographed. We'll also be set up to photograph the ceremony itself to capture your seniors receiving their diploma. The photos will be available online for ordering at arp.gotphoto.com about a week after the ceremony. You'll just need to enter access code: DHSGRAD2024 to view/order. Please let me know if you have any questions and congratulations in advance!

 

Allison Ragsdale Photography

Text/Call: 970-259-9255

Email: [email protected]

 

FOTOS DE GRADUACIÓN:

¡Hola! ¡Estamos tan emocionados de fotografiar la graduación de DHS para la clase de 2024! Hay varias oportunidades para las fotos de este año, así que queríamos asegurarnos de que eran conscientes de ellos. Estaremos de 3-4:30 pm el 24 de mayo (justo antes de la graduación) en la cafetería (al lado del gimnasio) para hacer fotos individuales de toga y birrete para cualquier persona que quiera una. No es necesario inscribirse. Simplemente envíe a su senior a nuestra estación de fotos y lo fotografiaremos. También estaremos preparados para fotografiar la ceremonia en sí para capturar sus seniors recibir su diploma. Las fotos estarán disponibles en línea en arp.gotphoto.com aproximadamente una semana después de la ceremonia. Sólo tendrás que introducir el código de acceso DHSGRAD2024 para ver/pedir. Por favor, hágamelo saber si tiene alguna pregunta y ¡felicidades por adelantado!

 

Allison Ragsdale, Fotógrafa.

Texto/Llamada: 970-259-9255 

Correo electrónico:info@allisonragsdalephotography.com