Details on Wayzata High School's Class of 2013 Graduation Ceremony

Graduation will take place at Mariucci Arena Friday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will not be issued; seating is on a first-come basis. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.  

Current security measures at Mariucci Arena require that all bags, purses, camera cases, etc., will be searched.  Backpacks are not allowed. Lines will move faster if fewer items are brought to Mariucci Arena.

Families are responsible for getting seniors to the High School Cafeteria to check-in—please drop your student off on the north side of the building. If your senior is driving themselves, they can leave their car in the front parking lot.  

Senior Party volunteers will be available to check seniors in from 4–5 p.m. Students will be riding buses from the WHS to Mariucci Arena—buses will leave at 5 p.m. for arrival at Mariucci Arena at approximately 5:45 p.m.  

Students will enter Mariucci Arena on the 5th Street SE side through the loading dock/backstage area to line up. All students attending the Senior Party must ride the buses from the high school. If there is a reason your student cannot ride the bus, they still need to check-in at the high school with the senior party volunteers.  

There will be a bus available to bring students who are not attending the senior party back to the high school if they left their cars there. Students who are planning on attending the senior party must also obtain their wristband.  

Students not riding the buses should arrive at Mariucci Arena backstage area no later than 5:50 p.m. Staff will be available to direct students.

Please read carefully the important dates, activities, and other information listed below for parents and seniors regarding end-of-the year activities.

Thursday, May 30, is the last day for seniors; all class work, projects, books, equipment, fines, etc., must be turned in no later than 3 p.m. All Saturday school detention must be served prior to this date.

Scheudle of events:

• 7:45–10:30 a.m. Senior Breakfast in Culinary Express; Graduation information and Senior Program follow in the Gymnasium. Seniors will not have access to any other areas in the building.
• 4 p.m. Check-In for buses/senior party begins in the high school cafeteria
• 5:30 p.m. Doors Open at Mariucci Arena
• 5:45 p.m. Line Up of Seniors Begins in Lower Level Hallways in the Backstage Area
• 6:25 p.m. Seniors Walk to Main Floor Entrances
• 6:30 p.m. Commencement Exercises Begin
• 8:30 – 8:45 p.m. Ceremony Ends
• 8:45 – 9:15 p.m. Seniors Connect with Parents for Pictures
• Line Up for Senior Party Buses in the Backstage Area
• 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Load Buses and Depart for Senior Party

Parking and Special Seating Information: The best entrance will be on the Oak Street side, which is actually the front/main entrance of the arena. Parking options available are the Lot 33 and Lot 37 on the 5th Street side of Mariucci Arena. Click here for a map of these parking area locations. Parking will cost $4; pay as you enter. Handicapped seating is available throughout the arena.

Seating is on a first-come basis and seats cannot be reserved.  For additional information regarding handicapped access and seating call 612-625-5804.

Senior Line Up: Seniors will line up starting at 5:45 p.m. in the backstage area. All seniors are to report to the backstage area (ground level); ushers will be available to direct you to the lower hallways. Staff members will be available to check you in and line up alphabetically.

Graduation Ceremony: Commencement is a formal ceremony; we expect students and guests to act appropriately. The graduates, their families and friends deserve to hear all names as the graduates receive their diplomas. Please refrain from clapping and showing your enthusiasm until all names have been read. Air horns and other noisemakers are prohibited.  

Use or possession of mood-altering chemicals (including alcohol) will not be tolerated. Students who show evidence of consumption or chemical use will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Graduates are to bring only their gown, cap and tassel with them into Mariucci Arena. Students will not be permitted to have anything else in their possession (i.e. purses, flowers, cameras, beverages, etc.) throughout the ceremony.  

School issued medals and awards may be worn; no extra items may be attached to the cap or gown (i.e. flowers, buttons, etc.); gowns must be zipped during the ceremony.

Directed by the administration, graduates and faculty will enter the main floor and proceed to the arena area. Students with last names "A" through "La" will be seated on the left side of the center aisle; "Le" through "Z" will be seated on the right side of the center aisle.  

Remain standing during the entire processional; you may be seated following the singing of the National Anthem.

Wait at the midpoint of the ramp for your name to be read before crossing the stage. Receive your diploma and then move your tassel from left to right. After the last graduate receives his/her diploma, you may throw your mortarboard in the air. Remove the tassel before tossing your cap so you don’t lose it.

Diplomas: Students will be presented diplomas and covers during the commencement ceremony. Students who have fines, equipment, clickers or books to return, detention time to serve, etc., will not receive their diploma at graduation. They may pick up their diploma at the high school when their obligations have been met.

Pictures: No one will be allowed in the aisles or on the main floor during the ceremony to take pictures. Please take personal pictures before or after the ceremony.

After the Ceremony: At the conclusion of the ceremony graduates will exit through the backstage area.

There will be a brief time for graduates to connect with family (give your parents your cap, gown, diploma, and cover). Have a plan as to where you will meet (away from the exit aisles is recommended to alleviate congestion) in the concourse area. The facility was not built to accommodate large crowds mingling; it will be congested.

Transportation to Senior Party: All seniors attending the Senior Class Party mst ride the buses provided from Mariucci Arena to the party location.

Senior Party: Check-in begins at 4 p.m. in the WHS Cafeteria. Wristbands will be given to those registered for the party. All students must check in for the party before buses depart at approximately 4:45 p.m. from the high school unless previous arrangements have been made with the Senior Class Party personnel, and only due to extenuating circumstances.

After graduation, students will ride the same bus they took from the high school to the Senior Party. Note: Students must turn in their registration forms ahead of time—they will not be allowed to register at Mariucci Arena.  

Students will not be allowed to board buses with any personal items except cell phones, car keys and cameras. Mariucci Arena personnel will search graduates before boarding buses.

Buses for the Senior Party will depart starting at approximately 9:15 p.m.  

Students attending the party must ride the bus. Seniors will be bused back to Wayzata High School following the party arriving between 4:30–5 a.m.  

Arrangements must be made for transportation home; cars may be left in the senior lot at the high school. If there is a crucial need to get a message to your child attending the Senior Party, call 612-396-5753 or 612-581-8796.

Telecast and Video: The WHS Commencement 2013 will be recorded by and shown on Cable 12 (Comcast/NW) and also shown during the summer on ED’s TV on the following Cable TV channels:

•    Plymouth and Northwest Suburbs (Comcast Cable) Channel 22
•    Minnetonka and Southwest Suburbs (Comcast Cable) Channel 17
•    Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka Area (MediaCom Cable) Channel 19  

Check the ED’s TV schedule on the School District web site for exact playback times: www.wayzata.k12.mn.us (Search “ED’s TV” in search box in upper right).

DVDs of the ceremony are available for $15 plus $2.50 shipping per order; submit the form and your check (made out to “Wayzata Public Schools”) to the District Video Communications Department.  

Please allow at least three weeks for delivery.

Contact Dave Carlson, 763-745-5106 or dave.carlson@wayzata.k12.mn.us, with any questions you may have.