Gordon Cooper Technology Center Graduation

Informational Meetings

• Main Campus: Monday, May 5
• Seminole Campus: Wednesday, May 7 

Dress

• Clean, nice, no flip-flops.
• Cap, gown, and tassel will be provided by GCTC on the day of graduation. Masks will be provided but are optional.  If you choose to wear a mask, it should be one of the disposable masks provided by GCTC.
• Adornments to gown (sashes, honor cords, pins, etc.) can be worn if they were obtained through GCTC. Example: A CTSO (SkillsUSA, HOSA, BPA, FCCLA, Robotics) medal can be worn but an FFA medal cannot because it wasn’t gained through GCTC. 
• NTHS tassels can be worn. NTHS stoles can be worn but must be purchased by members.

Pictures     

• Cap and Gown pictures will be taken at the Main Campus on Tuesday May 6 and Thursday May 8. 
• Pictures will be taken at Seminole Campus on Wednesday May 7.
• These pictures are provided by GCTC at no cost to graduate.

Announcements

• The google form to order announcements will be sent to graduates and HS parents to the email on file.
• Your first eight announcements/envelopes are free.
• Extra packets can be purchased for $5 per packet of eight.
• Announcements must be ordered by TBA.

Graduation Specifics

• Be at Firelake Arena for graduation between 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Come in the graduate entrance (West side; look for signs): leave personal belongings with a friend or family member. Find the table with your program name and pick up cap, gown, tassel, honor cord, and name card.  Fill out the back of the name card for the opportunity to purchase professional photographs of graduation.

• Wear graduation cap flat on your head with tassel on your right. Upon graduating, the superintendent (Mrs. McCormick) will announce to move your tassel from the right to the left.
• No smoking in cap and gown.
• Graduates cannot go outside the building once dressed in cap and gown.
• Line up behind stage at 5:45 p.m. in two lines (one on each side of the stage).
• When it is time for your row to graduate, stand as a row, walk to the side of the stage, ascend stairs individually (escort will help), hand the card to the person at the podium and they will announce your name as you walk on stage.
• Pause as you shake hands with the board member so that family members can get pictures. When you get off stage, pose for professional photographer.
• Return to your seat. Stay until graduation is over.

Following Graduation

• As you graduate you will receive a folder with an instruction sheet inside.
• After the ceremony, you will return to the same table where you checked your cap and gown out. The workers will check the cap, gown, and honor cords back in and stamp your instruction sheet as quickly as possible. 
• The tassel is yours to keep.
• Please be patient and wait until they get to you. DO NOT just leave your cap and gown on the table.  You must wait to check it all in and get your sheet stamped. 
• On the last day of school, you will trade your stamped paper for your certificates and picture.
• Certificates will be available in Student Services on both campuses for an additional week.
• Certificates and pictures not picked up by Friday, May 30 will be mailed to the address on file. All fees must be paid to receive completion certificates.