Davis Senior High School

If you have specific questions not addressed in this document, you may direct them to Vice Principal Amelia Hess at amhess@djusd.net or Athletic Director Jeff Lorenson at jlorenson@djusd.net.

The senior assembly is set for May 29, 2019, during the last 30 minutes of 4th period. This assembly is for students only and will take place in the North Gym.

The school will issue a cap/gown/tassel to each graduate free of charge.  These items are ordered and distributed by DHS.  Graduates receive their cap/gown/tassel unit on May 29, 2019 after the senior assembly. 

Applications become available in the office starting February 1.  Please ask Ms. Marlen Cabrera for a 2019 Graduation Speech Application.  The application and typewritten speech are due April 5, 2019 by 4 p.m.  Finalists will be invited to a live audition held on April 18, 2019. Student must be present at the live audition to be considered.  Speakers are chosen and notified by April 23, 2019.

Each graduate will receive four (4) free tickets to the ceremony.  Additional tickets may be purchased for $8 each, which goes to help defray the costs of the event.  You may purchase as many extra tickets as you need.  Please note that children too big for laps will need a ticket.

Every student will automatically receive 4 free tickets.  All tickets (4 free + any purchased) will be distributed after the mandatory graduation rehearsal the morning of June 14, 2019.   You will receive a mailing with more information early April.

You may purchase additional tickets online through the BlueDevilOnlineStore starting May 1, 2019 ($8 each) and both online & in-person starting May 15, 2019.  All in-person purchases are done at the Finance Office from May 15- May 23 (during lunch only).

Your counselor or any Vice Principal can assist you.  Please contact someone at a suitable time.

All seating is general admission.  It is important that you arrive as a group since all seats including the bleachers are filled from front to back by the ushers.  Saving seats is not permitted.  Guests will be asked to yield handicap seating to those who need it.

Yes!  We have reputable local businesses in charge of making sure our speeches and names reach all corners of the stadium, and we will have a high definition jumbo screen on site so you can see a close up of the graduates.  We will also have sign interpreters present.

After we have filled all our graduate’s ticket purchases, we will put any remaining seats on sale to the community.  Additional tickets may be purchased at the Finance Office.  Any remaining seats and standing room only tickets will be sold at the door starting at 5:00 p.m. on the day of the event.

Every school approaches their ceremony differently based on the values of the school and community.  No decorated mortarboards will be allowed into the graduation ceremony.  This decision is a step to maintain a formal tone to the celebration.  Please note that all caps/gowns/tassels are property of DJUSD and may not be modified in any way prior to the event.  We do not keep any units in stock.  Students without proper attire and an intact cap/gown/tassel will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony.    

However, individualized stoles, chords, leis, and sashes are welcome!

• Financially:  The graduation ceremony is expensive to put on and we would appreciate any financial assistance you would like to offer.  If you would like to donate to our event, you can make payments out to “Davis Senior High School Graduation 2019” to the Davis Senior High School Finance Office, 315 West 14^th Street, Davis CA 95616.
• Volunteer:  Our event also takes many hands, backs, and hours of volunteer work from our community to be successful. Contact Amelia Hess at amhess@djusd.net if you would like to donate your labor or services.  We especially need help with line leaders (leading the graduates onto the field and sitting with them during the ceremony).  This is a great way to be part of your child’s graduation.

Diplomas will not be issued on the day of graduation.  The front office will start distributing diplomas on June 25, 2019 during regular business hours.  Identification is required. Diplomas will only be distributed to the graduate or a legal parent/guardian if student is under 18.  If you are 18 and want another adult to pick up your diploma for you, you must complete a release waiver.  Release waivers are available during the senior assembly, at graduation practice on June 14, and at the front office during regular business hours. 

 IMPORTANT: No diploma will be given to parent/guardian of 18 year old graduates without a signed release waiver.

Sale of additional tickets starts at 5 p.m.  Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. for the event. General admission seating will be honored on a first come, first serve basis. There will be no “saving” of seats.  We encourage families to arrive early and for your party to arrive together.

Student graduates need to report to the North Gym by 6:30 p.m.  All graduates must have their cap/gown/tassel with them.  Parents and other guests are not allowed in the North Gym at this time. Please make sure graduates have everything they need prior to entering the gym.  No food or drinks are allowed in the gym.  Please eat prior to the ceremony since the ceremony is scheduled to last at least 2 ½ hours. Water will be provided for all graduates.

Parking will be available at the Veterans Memorial parking lot and the St. James parking lot.  We strongly encourage families to carpool, ride their bikes, or walk to the event. Oak Street will be closed off to through traffic.  The North Gym/Stadium lot will be handicap parking only (must present a DMV issued handicap placard or DHS issued parking pass).

Yes. Parking for those with DMV and school issued permits will be held in reserve at the North Gym/Stadium parking lot. If you need a handicap parking permit, please request one online when you purchase additional tickets.  If you are not purchasing additional tickets you may request a DHS graduation handicap parking permit from Marlen Cabrera, VP Secretary in the Office.  If you have a DMV issued handicap placard you do not need a DHS Graduation parking permit. 

There will be refreshments and light snacks for sale at the event. No outside food or drinks will be allowed in the stadium. We encourage families to have dinner prior to the event.  The event is scheduled to last about two and a half hours.

Lifetouch will be at the graduation ceremony taking pictures of all graduates.  Please remind your graduate to fill out and return the small white information card distributed during 4^th to Marlen Cabrera, VP Secretary.

Yes!  You may purchase a DVD of the 2019 DHS Graduation through Davis Media for $25 if you order by June 30, 2019 (price goes up to $35 after June 30).  Please go to Davis Media Access to order a DVD.

No balloons, umbrellas or other large items that may obstruct the view of people around you are allowed in the stadium.

An event of this size requires the services of many vendors who need to start taking down equipment (over 4,000 chairs, jumbotron, sound system, video, photo cameras, lots of wiring…etc.) immediately after the ceremony.  In order to ensure the safety of all involved the stadium must be cleared so the different crews and their vehicles are able to do their job safely and efficiently.

The event will end with a recessional that will lead students out of the stadium towards the North Gym.  Please plan in advance a meeting location outside the stadium to meet your graduate after the ceremony. 

The 2019 Davis Grad Night event begins right after the DHS graduation ceremony on June 14, 2019.  For more information, please visit the Davis Grad Night website!