👨🏻‍🎓👩🏻‍🎓Important Graduation Reminder for Seniors & Families
As we approach this time of the year, all seniors and families should be aware of the requirements needed to participate in the June 8, 2026 graduation ceremony. To walk at graduation, students must meet all graduation requirements to earn a high school diploma by the senior notification deadline of May 29, 2026. This includes:
- Completing all required credits for the 18‑ or 24‑credit diploma option
- Maintaining a 2.0 unweighted GPA
- Meeting state testing requirements
Please note: Florida no longer issues a “Certificate of Completion”. Students who do not meet all graduation requirements will not earn a high school diploma nor participate in the ceremony. Accessing your parent portal and keeping open lines of communication will allow us to work together to keep your student positioned for success on all possible graduation options.
Senior Events & Information
Senior Portraits
Senior Portraits deadline has passed.
Senior Fees
Senior Fees can be paid on Rycor.
Cap and Gown Info
All seniors, please fill out the MachForm linked below to provide us with your height and weight for your cap and gown to be ordered. Please note, if you do not fill out the MachForm below your gown size may be incorrect when ordered.
https://krai.pasco.k12.fl.us/mform/view.php?id=71519
Deadline has passed.
Senior Breakfast
Senior breakfast is a special event celebrating graduating students. It includes an awards ceremony, recognition of scholarship recipients, and distribution of graduation cords. All of this takes place while seniors enjoy breakfast together. It is a memorable occasion to honor their achievements.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 7:30 AM in the cafeteria
Senior Awards
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, parents are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony at 6:00 PM at KRAI.
There is no fee for this event, nor is there a ticket. Dress for this event is business professional. Students should be dressed appropriately. Students who are in jeans, shorts, flip-fops, or any attire deemed not business professional will be turned away from this event and not admitted until they comply with the dress code.
Baccalaureate
Join us for a meaningful Baccalaureate service honoring our graduating seniors with reflection, inspiration, and celebration. Families are invited to share in this special tradition as we recognize the graduating class and their journey ahead.Â
May 29th at 6pm at Bridgeway Church in Wesley Chapel
Senior Timeline
Stay knowledgeable by checking the updated Senior timeline, which includes all senior events and activities. Your support ensures a memorable final year for your child, so be sure to mark those dates and secure the current fee.
Grad Bash/Senior Trip
Don’t miss out on an unforgettable Senior Trip to Universal Studios—join your classmates for a day of thrilling rides, fun memories, and a perfect celebration of your senior year!
Clap Outs
Following Graduation practice on 5/28, the elementary feeder pattern schools will host “clap outs” for the class of 2026! Please review the schedules below.
- Veterans Elementary @ 2:30pm
- Quail Hollow Elementary – TBD
- Seven Oaks Elementary @ 3:15pm – Registration will take place via Seven Oaks Community Facebook page in late April.
- Denham Oaks Elementary – @ 3:00pm
- New River Elementary – @ 3:30pm – RSVP by 5/15 at 813-346-0500
- Centennial Elementary – @ 3:00pm – Arrive in the front office by 2:30pm
Senior Celebration
Rise & Shine, Seniors! 🌅
Join your classmates for fun and festive celebration in the student parking lot on May 8th from 6:30–7:00 AM!
Senior Shoutout
Make graduation unforgettable with a personalized Senior Shoutout on the big screen! 🎓✨
Honor your student’s hard work, growth, and accomplishments with a special message and photo showcased during the ceremony. It’s a heartfelt way to cheer them on as they cross this milestone and step into their next chapter.
You may send a shout-out to your senior and include a picture. The cost is $20 and can be paid on Rycor.Â
- Complete this form in its entirety and make sure that all spelling is correct.
- We will not be able to send a proof of this shout-out before its publication.
- All shout-out purchases will be verified before being included in the senior breakfast and graduation ceremony unless provided after April 15, 2026. If after April 15, 2026, shout-outs will only be displayed at the senior breakfast. The deadline for the senior breakfast only display is May 1st.
- Shout-outs will have 5 lines of text and one image. You must provide one quality image that is school-appropriate. If we consider it is not school-appropriate, the image will not be included. We will display the text, but the image will not be displayed. The cost is the same with or without an image.
Blue Letter Envelopes
Family, friends, and loved ones are invited to write a brief note of congratulations, encouragement, or well wishes for their graduate—no gifts, just heartfelt messages. Letters will be kept sealed and shared with students during the Senior Breakfast.
Please drop off or mail letters to the school by Wednesday, May 20, 2026, clearly labeled “Blue Letter” with the student’s name. These messages will become lasting keepsakes honoring our graduates’ achievements.
Ceremony Information
June 8th at 12pm at the University of South Florida Yuengling Center!
Program
Program will be uploaded prior to the ceremony.
Schedule
Monday, June 8th at 12:00 pm
10:30 am – Graduates arrive and check-in at the Corral (Gate A).
11:20 am – Graduates begin lining up.
12:00 pm – Commencement Ceremony begins.
1:00 pm – Approximate end of Ceremony.
Ticket Information
Seating is unlimited in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. As a result, tickets are not provided. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, are permitted on the floor partitioned off at the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Floor seating is only permitted for invited dignitaries, graduating seniors, band members, faculty and staff, and other guests. Accessible seating is available in the Yuengling Center for those with mobility devices and those with limited mobility. This seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and cannot be reserved.
Section 113 is reserved for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing as this section provides a clear view to the ASL interpreters in front of the stage. Please note that section 113 is reserved only for the first 30 minutes after doors have opened—once 30 minutes has elapsed the section is open for general admission. Email Ms. Hodge is needed.
Upon entering the Yuengling Center, all people in attendance will be searched by security per Yuengling Center policy.
Photo Opportunties
Gigante Productions (813‑907‑1078) will photograph each senior as they receive their diploma. Purchasing photos is optional. When images are ready, Gigante Productions will mail purchase information directly to seniors.
Please ensure your address is up to date with Cypress Creek High School, as this is the information provided to Gigante Productions. The school does not receive copies of the photos or ordering details.
Parking and Security
Plan to enter the University of South Florida via the Fowler Avenue and Bull Run entrance. There are parking areas around the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Disabled parking is located at Gate A and Gate D, Parking Lot Area 22F.
SECURITY AND BAG POLICIES FOR USF
- No weapons of any kind, no outside food or beverage, no backpacks, or other large bags.
- Personal bags must be smaller than 12”x12”x12” and are subject to search upon entry.
- All cameras are permitted except for professional cameras with larger lenses.
PARKING INFORMATION for the YUENGLING CENTER GRADUATIONS
- There will NOT be pre-sale parking.
- Parking is $13 and is CASHLESS. Everything must be paid with TAP TO PAY or a CREDIT/DEBIT CARD.
-
There is NO RESERVED parking with the exception of the handicapped/disabled parking. Handicapped/disabled parking is limited so please plan to arrive accordingly if there is a need for handicapped/disabled parking.
Graduates
Graduation Status
Students, it is important that you check that you are meeting or have met all graduation requirements and know where you stand in terms of graduation status. Please review your graduate plan and ensure that the requirements are met. If you have any questions, please email Ms. LeBlanc at dleblanc@pasco.k12.fl.us
To walk at graduation, students must meet all graduation requirements to earn a high school diploma by the senior notification deadline of May 29, 2026. This includes:
- Completing all required credits for the 18‑ or 24‑credit diploma option
- Maintaining a 2.0 unweighted GPA
- Meeting state testing requirements
Please note: Florida no longer issues a “Certificate of Completion”. Students who do not meet all graduation requirements will not earn a high school diploma nor participate in the graduation ceremony.
Diploma Distribution
Once the ceremony has concluded all graduates will be directed out of the Yuengling Center through the Corral the same way they entered the building—inform your family/friends of this to make for an easier reunification process.
Diplomas will be distributed in the Corral by alphabet in the same way that students lined up behind the seating for guests. Students who have officially checked out can receive their diplomas and participate in graduation. Only students meeting the behavioral requirements at graduation will receive a diploma. After receiving your diploma, please exit the University of South Florida Yuengling Center.
Behavior
Graduation is a momentous occasion for seniors, their parents, families, and friends. For that reason, the ceremony is to be held with dignity and courtesy to others. All participants must behave appropriately for the occasion, including walking across the stage. All participants must comply with the Pasco County Student Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behavior will result in students and parents/guardians meeting with the school administration. Disciplinary consequences will be assigned and must be completed before the distribution of the diploma.
Improper noises and distractions will not be permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, noisemakers such as bullhorns, air horns, whistles, cowbells, and firecrackers, etc. Do NOT bring in beach balls, silly string, or any item that would be deemed inappropriate. We ask that you request family and friends to remain seated throughout the ceremony, except when it is appropriate to stand (during the Pledge of Allegiance, for example), as a courtesy to other graduates and their families and friends. No one, other than graduates and designated guests, is permitted in the seating area for graduates. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not receive his/her diploma and/or will be turned over to appropriate law enforcement officials. As this is a School District of Pasco County event, alcohol will not be permitted inside of any of the areas in the University of South Florida Yuengling Center dedicated to the graduation ceremony.
Graduation Practice
Graduation Practice is mandatory. Practice will be held at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation in the Multipurpose Room on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM and Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 7:30 AM – 11:30 AMÂ
Students should not plan on leaving until 11:30AM; plan accordingly. Students will not be permitted to leave until it is complete. Graduation Practice is mandatory to participate in Graduation ceremonies.
Dress Expectations
Dress Code for Graduates: Dress pants and dress shirt with tie, a dress or skirt and blouse or pantsuit are recommended outfits. If wearing pants, wear matching/dark socks with dress shoes. No jeans, sneakers, sandals, flip flops, etc. are allowed. We recommend that students not wear high heels, as there will be a lot of walking and stair climbing. No visible “bulky” jewelry, scarves, ribbons, etc. are permitted.
Personal Items: Leave purses, cameras, sunglasses, and personal items with a parent, friend, or family member in the audience; they may not be taken in during the processional. Flowers or corsages are NOT permitted.
Graduation Gowns:Â Gowns should be brought with you to the graduation ceremony. When you arrive, please have your gown in hand and not on. We have ordered all caps and gowns for students. Please do not order a second cap and gown from Herff Jones. Please carry your cap, gown, and medallion into the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. We will not have extra gowns on hand. Make sure that you bring yours to the ceremony. Gowns are to look like they did when received from the company. Nothing extra may be added to them. It is highly recommended that you remove the gown from the packaging immediately for wrinkle removal.
Graduation Cap: The mortarboard (graduation cap) is to be worn flat with the tassel over the right eye. Once the seniors are declared graduates, the tassel is moved to the left side in unison with the class. Caps may be decorated on the top only. Decorated caps must be approved. Take a picture and upload a copy of the decoration for you cap for graduation here. Forms must be submitted by May 26th.
Please consider the following rules when decorating your graduation cap. Failure to follow them may result in removal before the ceremony.
Caps MAY NOT contain:Â Advertisements, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that: refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or anything of sexual nature.
- Affiliation with gangs, drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of others.
- Anything obscene, profane, vulgar, or lewd.
- Numbers other than the graduation year.
- Anything threatening the safety or welfare of someone else.
- Anything that makes noise (bells, horns etc.).
- Only the flat area can be decorated. There can be nothing hanging from the sides.
Acceptable Ideas include: thanking a parent or guardian, recognizing a university you will be attending, your graduation year, military branch that you will be joining. It is highly suggested that you trace your cap onto cardboard and decorate the cardboard. We will not be supplying new caps. Administration reserves the right to disallow anything that is not considered appropriate for the commencement ceremony.
Graduation Regalia:Â Only the regalia given by the school or pre-approved by administration will be allowed to be worn at the graduation ceremony. If students arrive with any stoles, cords, or other regalia they will be told to remove it or will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.Â
Seniors requesting to wear cords or sashes to graduation that are not provided by KRAI, must speak to their AP.
Failure to comply with the dress policy may result in the student not participating in the ceremony. Security will do a visual search and wand of all graduates and any guests to the University of South Florida Yuengling Center.
Arrival
Please be advised that the time of arrival for the graduation ceremony for students is 90 minutes (about 1 and a half hours) prior to Graduation. This will coincide with early afternoon/evening traffic that is very heavy based on the location of the University of South Florida Yuengling Center. Please plan appropriately when leaving your homes and give yourself more than enough time to arrive without incident. Once students and staff have exited the Corral at the beginning of the ceremony, late students will not be permitted to enter the seating area for graduates. This is University of South Florida Yuengling Center’s security policy and will be strictly enforced.
All graduates must enter through the Corral which is located near Gate A at the southwest corner of the Yuengling Center. Once inside the Corral, students will be directed to the appropriate check-in table to pick up their reader card. Please see the map below for additional information.
