Seniors: Class of 2026
Senior year is a major milestone for our Patriot families and, for many, an opportunity to make one more year’s worth of lasting memories with their friends and teachers at Stevenson. Find out more about your senior yearbook photos and portrait options, cap and gown order details, graduation, and other events/celebrations in the tabs below.
Important Dates
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Prom - April 25, 2026
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Senior Sunrise - April 30, 2026
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Senior Class Party - May 21, 2026
- Commencement Graduation Ceremony - May 22, 2026
Senior Yearbook Advertisements & Service Recognition
Senior Yearbook Advertisements
Show just how proud you are of your graduating student with a senior yearbook recognition ad – something they’re sure to treasure forever. A senior yearbook ad is the perfect way to commemorate your student’s achievements and celebrate the milestone of high school graduation. The deadline for ads is January 31, 2026.
Senior Service Recognition
A Community Service Graduation Honor For Seniors
The Senior Service Recognition was conceived to showcase outstanding community service efforts by Stevenson students. The application process is designed to capture service stories and then share them back to the school community to inspire other students. If you've been committed to community service throughout your high school career, please consider applying and share your most meaningful stories with us!
Seniors may only apply for this honor if they have completed 4-10 significant, long-term community service experiences during their four years in high school. These experiences may be completed anywhere. For more information on qualifying criteria or to apply, click here. Online applications from the Class of 2026 are due Monday, April 6, at 8 a.m.
For more information on senior service recognition, contact Ms. Zabrin at 847-415-4184 or czabrin@d125.org.
Senior Events
Prom
Senior Sunrise
Senior Sunrise
April 30, 2026
7:30 - 8:25 a.m.
Stevenson High School | The Sportscenter
Celebrate new beginnings at Senior Sunrise! If you're attending college, feel free to wear your school gear. There will be light breakfast snacks and music. You can also pick up your cap and gown for graduation! Students should bring their ID to be able to pick up their caps and gowns. Ultimately, it will be a great time to hang out with your friends and remember good times from high school at Stevenson!
Senior Boat Party
Senior Boat Party
Thursday, May 21, 2026
Get ready to set sail for the Senior Class Boat Party on the amazing Lake Michigan! Your ticket includes convenient round-trip transportation from the school, an unforgettable boat ride with stunning skyline views and a delicious light buffet. Join us for a final high school celebration featuring great music from a DJ and memories that will last a lifetime!
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12:00 p.m. - Meet at Stevenson
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12:30 p.m. - Depart for Navy Pier
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2:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Cruising
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5:00 p.m. - Depart City back to Stevenson
*EARLY BIRD PRICING for only $68
Questions? Email School Operations at School_OPS@d125.org.
Commencement
Graduation Rehearsal & Ceremony
Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal
May 22, 2026
7:30 a.m.
Stevenson High School | Field House
On the morning of the ceremony, Friday, May 22, seniors will attend a mandatory rehearsal ceremony for students here on campus. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. with your counselor in the Field House. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. After rehearsal, you will report back to your counselor to receive and sign out your eight graduation tickets.
Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony
May 22, 2026
5 p.m.
NOW Arena (5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192)
- Doors open to the public: 3:30 p.m.
- Graduates report to NOW Arena: No later than 4 p.m.
- Commencement begins: 5 p.m.
Guests will enter the arena through the main entrance. All graduates will enter the arena through Door 11 when they arrive. At this entrance, graduates will walk through metal detectors. Please have your gown unzipped to expedite the screening process. The actual graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 5:00 pm.
The ceremony will be live-streamed and can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/stevensonhs
Parking at NOW Arena
- NOW Arena is allowing families to arrive in two cars maximum.
More Information
More Information
Please read below for more relevant information about the commencement ceremony.
Event Photos
Photos of this year's graduation ceremony will be taken by Visual Image Photography (VIP). All images will be posted online for view and order about a week after graduation. You will receive an email when they are ready to view and order, or you can visit www.vipis.com. Please contact VIP at support@vipis.com with any questions.
Safety
NOW Arena has also implemented a “clear bag policy,” which limits the size of bags entering the arena and requires the majority of bags to be clear to streamline the security screening process and avoid unnecessary wait times to enter the venue. Exceptions will be made for medical, family, or childcare bags or small clutches no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”. No outside food or beverages are allowed with the exception of water and snacks for young children and babies.
Accessibility for Guest with Disabilities
Accessible parking and seating will be available; however, wheelchair escorts and wheelchairs will not be available for guests.
Caps and Gowns
Please press and hang the gown for a sufficient period prior to commencement in order to minimize the number of wrinkles. Tassels are to be worn on the right side of the cap before the diploma is handed out and shifted to the left when the diploma is received. Students may keep their cap, gown, and tassel. Caps are not allowed to be decorated.
Conduct
It is our hope that the commencement ceremony will honor the Class of 2024. We believe that the ceremony should reflect the high standards which characterize the class and Stevenson High School. Accordingly, we expect that all graduates and their guests will conduct themselves in a dignified and solemn manner which reflects the significance of the occasion. The NOW Arena staff will confiscate items causing disruption to the ceremony including air horns, balloons, beach balls, etc.
Appropriate Dress
Students are expected to dress formally and in a manner appropriate to graduation, the culminating experience of a high school career. With respect to dressing for the occasion: Shorts, jeans, and purses will not be allowed into the arena. With respect to what shoes to wear: While students are highly encouraged to dress in formal shoes, we understand that for many of our students, this may include clean sneakers that they are proud to wear.
Diplomas
All diplomas will be mailed home after the commencement ceremony. In order to receive your diploma in a timely manner, please be sure any fees outstanding on your student account are paid. Fees are assessed on an ongoing basis and are available in the fees section of Infinite Campus at any time. Any outstanding end-of-year fees like textbooks will be assessed after the last week of school. If you are planning on moving before the middle of June, please email your new mailing address to residency@d125.org. This will ensure that the diplomas will be received timely.
Transcripts and More
As a quick note to our senior families: Starting next week, school counselors will visit with senior Communications Arts classes to guide them through a number of important tasts related to graduation, including the senior survey, ordering final transcripts through Parchment and the transfer of digital files from Stevenson-related accounts.
With commencement quickly approaching, we will keep in close touch. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments and/or concerns. We are looking forward to celebrating the Adlai E. Stevenson High School graduating Class of 2025!
Caps and Gowns
Caps and Gowns
Jostens 2025-26 Schedule for Stevenson
- Group Order Deadline for Graduation Announcements/Accessories and Cap & Gown - Nov. 15, 2025
- Graduation Announcements orders available for pick up at Patriot School Store in May 2026
- Cap and gown orders available for pick up at Senior Sunrise - May 2026
Helpful Links
Contact
Brian Walter
Jostens Sales Representative
walteroffice@jostens.com | 847-818-8419 (call or text)