May 17, 2013
Dear Parents of the Class of 2013:
The Class of 2013 will soon become alumnae of Elizabeth Seton High School. This is a nostalgic time for you and for us. It is a time that marks both an end and a beginning. The values that your daughter received from you and from the school will be a source of strength to her as she closes one door and opens a new one.
Graduation practices will be held at school on May 20th and 22nd, and at the Shrine on the 21st. For the families' convenience, we provide free bus transportation to the Shrine practice on the 21st. Seniors should see Mrs. Thompson for permission slips if they have not already turned them in.
The Baccalaureate services and Graduation take place on Tuesday, May 28th. The day will begin with liturgy celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in the school auditorium. All guests should be seated by 9:20 a.m. The liturgy will be followed by the Awards Ceremony, during which we will recognize the many honors received by the Class of 2013. Once the Seton parking lot is full, parents will be allowed to park at the Bladensburg Community Center. Please arrive early.
In the afternoon, graduation ceremonies will be held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The beauty and the magnificence of the Shrine itself will give dignity to the ceremony. We ask that you honor this dignity by not clapping when a student's name is called. We know that your hearts are bursting at this moment and that it is your desire to show recognition but we will do this after the last graduate has received her diploma. You, the parents, have always been cooperative; sometimes guests have not been so. For this reason, we ask that you please remind your guests to respect this request. Repeated clapping and calling out are not appropriate for this sacred space. Students whose families and invited guests do not respect the dignity of the Shrine during graduation will NOT receive their diplomas until 8 hours of service to the school have been completed. All other graduates will receive their diplomas in the crypt area (lower level) of the Shrine immediately following the ceremony.
Each graduate will receive twelve tickets. It is most important that you bring these tickets with you to the Shrine. Please let your relatives and friends know that admission will be by ticket only. The graduation announcement does not entitle one to admission. Included in the twelve tickets will be two special tickets for you, the parents. Seats directly behind the graduates will be reserved for you. Caps, gowns and tickets will be issued the last day of practice, May 22nd.
To add to the good order of the ceremonies, we ask that all those attending the graduation be in their seats by 3:50 p.m. The graduates will begin their entrance into the Church promptly at 4:00 p.m. There are a few other important suggestions that, if followed, will help us preserve the dignity and beauty of the ceremonies at the Shrine:
- In order to allow the graduates to process into the Church, to move through the aisles to receive diplomas, to recess from the Church, and to allow all guests visibility of the services, no one will be permitted at any time to stand in the aisles. No "picture taking" is permitted in the aisles. We also ask that the vestibule of the Shrine be kept clear until the graduates have processed into the Church and that it be kept clear during the recessional. This is very important since the faculty will line up in the vestibule and precede the graduates into the Church.
- We have engaged Victor O'Neill Studios to take pictures during the ceremony. The photographer will be as inconspicuous as possible but will be positioned to enable him to take a picture of each graduate as she receives her diploma. Picture purchases are optional. Seniors will receive their online ordering information during graduation rehearsal.
Sincere thanks for your wonderful cooperation over the years. With your daughter's graduation you become part of a special group, our alumnae parents. We hope that you will continue to be active and supportive members of the Elizabeth Seton High School community.
God love you.
Sincerely,
Sharon Pasterick
Principal
