District 55 announces graduation schedule, protocols
Laurens District 55 High School graduation will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at K.C. Hanna Stadium at 9 a.m. On the day of the ceremony, graduates must arrive at school no later than 8 a.m., and report to their designated classrooms. Graduates that drive themselves will enter through the bus gate off of Hwy. 76 and will be directed where to park. Graduates arriving with family members will enter through the main gate or gate 5. Parking gates will open to the public at 7:30 a.m. Gates to K.C. Hanna Stadium will open at 8 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Main Gymnasium. Only gold tickets will be valid in the event of inclement weather. Students will be notified via school email, phone blast, and local news outlets if this occurs.
Graduation Tickets & Live-Stream Viewing:
• Graduates will receive their graduation tickets (9 tickets per graduate 5 gold and 4
green (stadium use only) at graduation practice on May 30 at 9:00 AM. Graduates
must attend graduation practice on May 30 in order to participate in the ceremony
on May 31.
• Once a guest enters K.C. Hanna Stadium with a ticket, they will not be re-admitted
without an additional intact/untorn graduation ticket. A ticket is required for all
guests of all ages.
• Anyone arriving late will have standing availability only to not interrupt the
ceremony.
• Live-Streaming will be available through the YouTube
link: https://youtube.com/live/RmiBngYkNyo, on the school website
(www.ldhsraiders.org) and will be posted on the Laurens District 55 High School
Facebook Page on the date of the ceremony.
• Childcare will be available for infants through 3rd grade in the auxiliary gymnasium,
located behind the main gym. A ticket will not be required for children located in the
auxiliary gym during the ceremony. Please note you must drop children off in the
auxiliary gym before entering the stadium if you wish to utilize the nursery. Once
you enter the stadium, you will not be re-admitted without an intact/untorn
graduation ticket. Please bring any items your child may need during this
time. (Bottles, diapers, wipes, sippy cups, and/or snacks. Items will not be
provided)
Graduation Ceremony Guidelines:
• Gates to the campus will open to the public at 7:30 AM. Gates to K.C. Hanna
Stadium will open at 8:00 AM. Seating is first-come, first-serve, and limited to ticket
holders only.
• Guests should enter K.C. Hanna Stadium through the main gate and they will be
directed accordingly once inside. Please note that guests may not save places in
line.
• Guests will be required to enter through metal detectors and a clear bag policy will
be enforced.
• No umbrellas, balloons, or flowers will be allowed in the stadium.
• Handicapped parking will be in the lot beside the tennis courts and must enter
through Gate 7 only, via Wheelon to Raider Road. A handicapped tag will be
required. Once the gates open, handicapped guests plus one attendee will be
directed to the handicapped seating section in the stadium – both must have a
ticket to be admitted.
• In order to seat all guests in a timely manner, “seat-saving” will not be allowed.
• The Class of 2024 asks that you please hold all applause for individual graduates
until the names of all graduates have been read during the ceremony. They would
like to ensure all of their classmates have an equitable experience on the
graduation stage.
• Photography is only allowed from your seat. A videographer will produce a
flashdrive of the ceremony which can be purchased at
http://deadhorseproductions.com/.
• Please make sure cell phones and other devices are silenced.
• Please remain in seated areas until the recessional is complete.
• Graduates will recess back to the classrooms to pick up items and then should
meet family members at vehicles or a predetermined location, and exit the
campus.
Arrival & Parking at Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS):
• Traveling to LDHS from West Main Street – turn right onto Whelon Road and
continue to Raider Road (John K. Hendricks Memorial Mile). Turn left onto Raider
Road and utilize Gate 7 for Handicapped and Gate 5 for Public Parking. You will
be instructed where to park upon arrival.
• Traveling to LDHS from Hickory Tavern – turn left off Highway 76 into the Main
Gate (Gate 2).
• Traveling to LDHS from Highway 14, turn onto Whelon Road behind Welcome
Baptist Church. Turn right onto Raider Road (John K. Hendricks Memorial Mile)
and continue to Gate 7 for handicapped or Gate 5 for Public Parking. You will be
directed where to park upon arrival.
• Please be aware that when traveling from Gray Court on Hwy. 14, heavy traffic is
possible. LEC is holding their annual meeting.
Departure After the Ceremony
• Gate 5 and Gate 7 parking will be directed to Hwy 14 via Raider Road to Whelon to
Hwy 14.
• Gate 2 and Graduate Parking will be directed westbound towards Hickory Tavern.
Graduate Information:
• Mortarboards are meant to be worn flat on the head, not perpendicular to the
ground. Mortarboards should not be decorated in any manner.
• Tassels(solid gold) should hang on the right side.
• Please leave all personal items in your designated classroom during the ceremony.
Classrooms will be locked until the ceremony is over and students return to
retrieve their items.
• Students will park in the bus lot area behind the Technology Building.
• Iron (with a cool iron) your robe and hang it up ahead of time -they will be very
wrinkled if fresh from the package.
• Dress before you arrive or bring any necessary items – bobby and straight pins,
etc.
• Wear appropriate clothing under your graduation gown.
• Attire for graduates: white dress with neutral shoes OR khaki pants, neutral shoes
with white shirt.
• Collared shirts, ties/bowties are suggested for males.
• No tennis shoes, boots, or flip-flops.
• No sunglasses.
• No large earrings or other jewelry.
• No gum.
