CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2024
April, 2024
In this update....All things Seniors!
- Senior Slideshow // Deadline to Submit May 5
- Senior Awards Ceremony // May 13 // 5:30p
- Senior Wrap-Up Meetings // May 14 & 15
- Graduation Requirement - FAFSA
- Final Exam Schedule for Seniors
- Senior Walks // May 22
- May 23 is a Busy Day! // Senior Sunrise // Breakfast // Panoramic Pic // Rehearsal
- Graduation Day // May 24
- Scholarships
Senior Slideshow // Slides Due May 5
When COVID forced the cancellation of in-person celebrations in 2020, the VHS Counselors decided to put together a senior slideshow to celebrate ALL seniors. It was such a wonderful tribute that we decided to keep doing it. We are now on our 5th year of this new tradition.
We are excited to celebrate all 680+ seniors by creating a Class of 2024 Senior Slideshow Album. In addition to sharing their future plans, students will be able to share any outstanding academic, service, and military honors. Here's what we need from our seniors:
Create a single GOOGLE Slide. We have pulled a few EXAMPLES from previous albums to provide you with some inspiration, or feel free to start from scratch and put your own creative stamp on it. Include absolutely anything you feel great about!
Information to be included on the slide:
First and Last Name
Celebrations & Accomplishments - Examples include acts of service, contributions to your community, leadership positions, holding a part-time job, etc.
Awards/scholarships received - Examples include National Merit Scholar, National Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Scholarship
What’s Next For Me? - A short statement about what’s on the horizon for you. Examples include joining the workforce in the field of…; attending X university to major in…; enlisting in X branch of the military
Photo (optional)
Make sure your slide is formatted in 16:9 widescreen ratio (this should be the default setting for Google Slides)
Save your GOOGLE Slide using the following format: Last Name_First Name_Senior Slide
Submit your saved GOOGLE Slide to the form below by Sunday, May 5th at 11:59 PM.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS - HOW CAN YOU HELP?
History has told us that parents love to be a part of the slide creation. If you are helping with your senior's slide, please make sure that you are working in Google Slides and not another format - your senior can help you with this, as they are very accustomed to using Google Slides. Also, please make sure you are collaborating with your senior and submitting a single slide - duplicate submissions result in unhappy seniors when their preferred slide is inadvertantly left out : (
WHERE CAN I VIEW THE SLIDESHOW?
- link will be emailed to all seniors & parents/guardians the last week of school
- slideshow will be featured on both the VHS Counseling Website & the VHS Main Page for a time
- slideshow will run on the big screen at the HEB Center prior to graduation beginning
State Graduation Requirement: Financial Aid Application
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:
- Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) (for Texas residents who are not eligible to apply for federal financial aid - usually includes students who are non-citizens or non-permanent residents of the United States)
- Submit a signed opt-out form ENGLISH, SPANISH
*Reminder: this is only one graduation requirement component. Counselors and Administrators will continue working with Seniors on ensuring graduation requirements are met.
ACTION REQUIRED
Seniors: To complete this graduation requirement, submit your documentation to this linked form.
**If you have previously submitted a hard copy of the opt-out form, we have this on file and no further action is needed on your part.**
Senior Awards Ceremony // May 13, 5:30pm
The Senior Awards Ceremony will recognize seniors who have received outstanding academic, service, and military honors and/or awards. The ceremony will take place Monday, May 13 at 5:30 pm in the Vandegrift High School Performing Arts Center. Seniors receiving awards and recognition will receive invitations the week of April 22nd to attend the Senior Awards ceremony, however, all are welcome to join the celebration.
This is a formal celebration - we encourage students to dress up (i.e. slacks, button-ups, dresses).
Save the Date for Senior Wrap-Up Meetings // May 14 & 15
We know you're looking ahead to a bright future, but we have some things that require wrapping up here at the high school before graduation! So save the date: on May 14 & 15 we'll be meeting with seniors during their English 4 class periods, or PIT/ACC Off Campus periods for those of you who took ACC English. Again, this is a REQUIRED meeting and should only take 30-45 minutes of your (class)time. Full details will be posted on the Senior Information page and in the Class of 2024 Google Classroom as the dates approach.
May 23 is a Busy Day!
Many senior activities will be taking place on May 23. See below:
- Senior Sunrise // 6a // hosted by Student Council
- Senior Breakfast // 7a
- Panoramic Picture to follow Senior Breakfast
- Graduation Rehearsal & Cap & Gown Distribution // 9a
**Reminder - graduation rehearsal is MANDATORY for all students who will be participating in the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony.
**More information on all senior activities & graduation will be shared during Senior Wrap-Up Meetings.
Graduation Day // May 24 // 8p
It's almost here! Below are a few frequently asked questions we are commonly asked
How do students get to graduation?
Students report to VHS on May 24 at 5p. From there, seniors go to assigned rooms by alpha and are then bussed to the HEB Center. Graduates join their families afterward and ride home with them.
How many guests is each senior allowed at graduation?
There is no limit to the number of guests at the HEB Center. Seating is first come/first served.
What about cords, stoles, and other regalia?
Graduation regalia identifying various honors are distributed in different ways as we near graduation. Please reference this document to understand these honors and who to contact if there are questions: Graduation Cords & Stoles
Don't forget about scholarship applications!
The VHS Counseling website is regularly updated with scholarship opportunities. Make sure to check back often for new postings, or visit the Class of 2024 Google classroom, click on the "Classwork" feed, and locate the "Scholarships" topic. Though these applications can be time consuming, the payoff can be huge - FREE $$!
REMINDER: Order Your Cap & Gown!!!
We want you looking calm and crisp on graduation day, so don't delay!
Reminder - Senior Information Page
Seniors, there is a webpage devoted just to you! Please check the Senior Information Page regularly to keep track of upcoming senior events, end-of-year tasks, information about graduation, etc.
Need to Get in Touch?
VHS Counselors
Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo
DeAngelo Freeman - Br - Ep
Becca Ramirez - Er - H
Charity Escott - I - Ma
Peggy Morisset - Mc - Po
Shawna Powell - Pr - Sti
Melissa Wells - Sto - Z
VHS Assistant Principals
Delis Golden - A - Bo
Becky Azard-Jackson - Br - Fo
Jeremy Fry - Fr - Ke
Parrish McEwen - Kh - Ne
Collin Fletcher - Ng - Si
Amanda Toon, Associate Principal - Sk - Z