Seniors: Class of 2023

Commencement Ceremony Rehearsal

Friday, May 26, 2023
7:30 a.m.
Stevenson High School | Fieldhouse

On the morning of the ceremony, Friday, May 26, seniors will attend a mandatory rehearsal ceremony here on campus. Check-in and breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. with counselors in the Fieldhouse. After rehearsal, students will report back to their counselor to receive and sign out eight graduation tickets.

Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony

Friday, May 26, 2023
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.

Doors to NOW Arena will open to the public at 3:30 p.m. Graduates should report no later than 4 p.m. Guests will enter the arena through the main entrance. All graduates will enter the arena through Door 11 (See page 3) when they arrive. At this entrance, graduates will walk through metal detectors. Only school-provided regalia will be allowed at the ceremony. The actual graduation ceremony will begin promptly at 5 p.m. and can be live-streamed accessed here.

Parking at NOW Arena

• NOW Arena is allowing families to arrive in two cars maximum.

Caps and Gowns

Jostens 2022-23 Schedule for Stevenson

• Friday, Oct. 14, 2022 | All Day | Upper West Patriot Lobby -- On-site graduation memorabilia orders
• Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Wood Commons -- Graduation Announcement pick-ups
• Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Wood Commons -- Cap and gown pick-ups
• Friday, May 26, 2023 | Fieldhouse following graduation rehearsal -- Cap and gown pick-ups

Helpful Links

• Place Your Order
• Stevenson Graduation Packages
• Graduation Products Info
• Ring Sizer Guide

Contact

Brian Walter
Jostens Sales Representative
walteroffice@jostens.com | 847-818-8419 (call or text)

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”x6.5”. 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.

If students have not picked up their cap and gown yet (as of May 8), they may do so following graduation rehearsal.

Conduct

It is our hope that the commencement ceremony will honor the Class of 2023. 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. Any fines must be paid prior to the diploma being mailed.