How To: Graduate

According to the Education Graduation Initiative, approximately 4 million students around the US graduate every year, but no two graduations are the same. The UPHS graduation will take place on June 3rd at 5 p.m., with a rain date of June 4th. The ceremony, at Bill Keeney Stadium, is open to all guests, and tickets are not required.

Practice Day
To walk at graduation, students must participate in two practices on Monday, June 2nd, and Tuesday, June 3rd. After practice on Monday, students will participate in an elementary school walk.

Seniors will be split based on the elementary school they attend. For those students who did not attend elementary school at Upper Perk, they will be allowed to choose a school to attend. Following this, the buses will meet at the 4 and 5 Center for a final walk.

Christmas City Studio will be taking the photos on June 2nd, Monday’s practice day. Students and families can purchase these as they are handed their “Diploma,” so make sure to dress accordingly.
Unlike Monday’s practice, the one on Tuesday will take place outside on the turf, and students should dress comfortably as the cap and gown will not be required. These practices will be from 8:00 to 11:30 am on both days, but Tuesday’s practice may end earlier due to it being the day of graduation.

Day Of
On the day of graduation, seniors are to arrive at 4 pm and meet in the Gymnasium. They should park in the band lot and enter through the main entrance. Seniors should have their caps and gowns on and ready to make sure there is no delay in the ceremony.

During an interview with the WSJ, Mr. Flanagan suggested that students arrive as early as possible: “Be mindful of where you want to sit and how many people will be with you.” Guests will be able to park in the student, middle school, and basketball lots between the high school and the middle school. Gates to the field will open at approximately 4 p,m and transportation from the lots to the field will be provided for those handicapped.

Around 10 minutes before, the seniors will get into their appropriate groups and begin to proceed to their seats. To begin the ceremony, two seniors will give commencement speeches, and then the seniors will be called up in alphabetical order.

As the students are called up by the junior class president and vice president, they will be given a Diploma sleeve by their guidance counselor and then return to their seats. Once everyone has been given their diploma covers, they will partake in throwing their caps in the air and then meet with their friends and families for photos. Before leaving campus, the seniors will retrieve their real diplomas to fill their covers. The location of diploma pickup is still forthcoming from the Principal’s Office.

After 12 years of hard work and dedication, the seniors have finally made it to graduation. UPHS works very hard to keep the day running smoothly to celebrate the accomplishments of those who will be entering the real world.

Congratulations to all of the 2025 graduating seniors!