Cost
$125.00 Non Member
$100.00 WHO Member
$60.00 Diploma Only - Non Member
$40.00 Diploma Only- Members
Event Details
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Rehearsal: 10:00 am
Sumner Performing Arts Center
Graduation Registration Deadline May 1st
Options
Ceremony Package:
- Included diploma printed on high quality paper along with a padded red cover with embossing.
- Reserved seats for immediate family that plans to go on stage to present diploma.
- Discount for cap and gown
- Discounts on announcements
- Participation in reception at the end of the ceremony
Members: $100.00 / Non-Members: $125.00
Diploma Only Package:
- Included diploma printed on high quality paper along with a padded red cover with embossing. (Mailed to address provided)
Members: $40.00 / Non-Members: $60.00
Confirmation and refund policy
You will be sent confirmation of your registration, via e-mail, unless otherwise noted, after your registration has been received.
Ceremony Information
WHO intends to offer a memorable ceremony to honor the graduates and their families. Therefore, we ask that graduates not add to, or alter, their cap and gown in any way that would distract from the uniform appearance of all graduates (with the exception of honor cords). This can be a dynamic process, so we ask that graduates follow directions, and be courteous during the rehearsal and ceremony.
What is the schedule for graduation day?
9:45 AM…..Arrive at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Sumner, 1707 Main Street, Sumner, WA. This building is part of Sumner High School.
10:00 – 11:30 AM…..Graduation rehearsal. All grads and at least one parent/guardian MUST be at this rehearsal.
11:30 AM…..Individual photos with the professional photographer, if you have an appointment.
11:30 AM…..Lunch – For lunch, there are places that are so close by you could walk to many of them!
1:00 PM…..Return from lunch and don your cap and gown.
1:15 PM…..Group picture, taken by our professional photographer, for the entire graduating class wearing their caps and gowns. We’ll gather outside the PAC (if it’s not raining.) Don’t be late back from lunch! You don’t have to purchase the photo in advance. Even if you don’t purchase the photo, we want you in the picture!
1:30 PM…..Friends and family members should arrive at the PAC to find a seat.
1:45 PM…..Graduates line up for the procession into the auditorium.
2:00 PM…..Graduation ceremony will begin, lasting about 1 ¼ hours.
3:15 PM…..There will be a cake reception after the ceremony.
Graduation Supplies – Please Note:
Where do I order cap and gown, diploma and other graduation accessories?
The cap and gown, diploma and other grad accessories are being handled by an outside agency. All information concerning prices and ordering deadlines is available on their website just for WHO graduates. Prices for those items vary with certain packages being offered. You will receive a link to order after we receive your registration.
What color cap and gown do I order?
Gentlemen wear red and ladies wear white cap and gown. The graduate is required to wear these items in order to participate.
Professional Photography
Darel Roa Photography will be taking photos in front of the stage as graduates walk across, as well as cap and gown photos prior to the ceremony. For further information, see his website at darelroaphotography.com. He also is available for senior pictures. Photographic services are NOT included in the price of graduation. These are optional services that each family can take advantage of as they wish.
Graduation Announcements & Accessories
Announcements may be purchased alone or in a package that includes cap, gown, tassel, and name cards through an outside vendor. You will receive a link once we have received your registration.
General Information
What is the final deadline for registration?
The final deadline for registration is May 1, 2024. All registrations must be postmarked by deadline. There will be no exceptions. Please make careful note of all deadlines.
Is my student eligible to participate in this graduation?
Any student who meets the following criteria may participate in the graduation ceremony:
- The student has homeschooled and filed a Declaration of Intent for at least one year immediately prior to high school graduation.
- The student may be enrolled in Running Start during the 2023-2024 school year, but must have homeschooled and filed a Declaration of Intent for the year prior to beginning Running Start.
- The student and parent have completed all portions of the registration form, and have paid the required fees.
When is the rehearsal?
Graduation rehearsal date and time will be announced when available. It is required that the graduate, and at least one parent/guardian, attend the rehearsal and stay until rehearsal ends.
Do I have to be a WHO member to participate?
No. Non-members are welcome to participate in the ceremony. There is an additional cost for those that are not WHO members.
Is the diploma state-certified?
The diploma is not state-certified. WHO is not an accrediting agency, and the WHO diploma is not an accredited diploma. The diploma is provided by the Washington Homeschool Organization (included in the graduation fee), but is issued from the parent to the student.
We can’t attend the ceremony – can we purchase a diploma from WHO?
WHO does have the diploma only option on the registration.
What is required for the ceremony?
A completed registration form & registration fee, the 80-word statement and cap and gown are required for the ceremony.
What is the 80-word statement?
As the parents and graduate meet at the center of the stage for the presentation of the diploma, the WHO presenters read a statement, written by the parents, about their student. This brief (80 words or less) typed statement may make reference to the student’s accomplishments, personal qualities, future plans, or anything else the parent would like to say to honor their graduate. Any statements over the limit will be, at WHO’s discretion, edited down to the appropriate length. View some sample statements.
- Please include the student’s name as you want it read on the 80-word statement form.
- Also include the names of the parents/guardians who will present the graduate their diploma.
- Handwritten statements cannot be accepted for legibility issues.
- Please provide phonetic assistance for more difficult name pronunciations on the form.
What is the Student Display?
As part of the Graduating Class of 2024, we invite each graduate to provide a personal presentation about their homeschooling experience. It may be presented in the following forms:
- A self-standing display board
- A graduation scrapbook
The display could showcase the student’s accomplishments, talents, interests, and family photos. It should be brought to rehearsal on June 1, 2024. These will be set-up by you.
Who can accompany the student on stage for the presentation of their diploma?
The immediate family may join the graduate on stage. For this event, the immediate family is defined as parents/guardians and siblings.
Who can sit in the “Reserved Seating” section?
This area is reserved for those who will be going up on stage to present the graduate their diploma. The reserved seating area is exclusively for those who are joining the graduate on stage, and meet the above criteria. If you do not wish to have the graduate’s siblings on stage, they are welcome to sit in the non-reserved section with other family members. All persons who sit in the reserved section will be going up on stage in order to simplify the ceremony.
2024 Graduation Registration
In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, please complete the form below. If you have any questions in regards to the ceremony please view the FAQs above. If you need additional information feel free to contact us by emailing at whooffice@washhomeschool.org. The 80 Word Statement is required in order to register for the graduation. Be sure you have that before trying to register.