Year End Information 2025

Class of 2025 Senior Event GuidE

Important Dates:

                             YOU MUST PICK UP YOUR OWN DIPLOMA (nobody else can pick it up for you)

Commencement Information:

Wednesday, June 11

Grads Arrive 6:00 p.m. Ceremony Starts 7:00 p.m.

ShoWare Center - Kent

Cap and Gown:

Jostens is our vendor for caps and gowns, tassels, announcements, and many other senior and graduation items. If you have not ordered your cap & gown yet, there is still time to do so online. Jostens offers payment plans for those who need to spread out the cost. Items must be paid in full before they will be delivered to you.

**If your family is experiencing financial hardship, please contact Mrs. Mitchell (susan.mitchell@rentonschools.us). We do have a limited number of gowns available for loan**

Senior Clearance: Requirements for Participation in Commencement Exercises:

• Satisfactorily completing the minimum credit requirements as set by Washington State and the Renton School District, Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA), High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP), and Graduation Pathway.
• Clearance of all fines and obligations, and completion of the final senior check out.
• Participation in the commencement rehearsal.

Further information regarding Senior Check Out will be shared at the Senior Meeting on May 9.

TICKETS:

Tickets will be distributed beginning May 28 after school. Tickets may be picked up in the main office before school, at lunch and after school beginning May 29.

Each graduate will receive 6 admission tickets for family and friends. Grads do not need their own ticket. Extra tickets ($5 each) may be purchased at the ASB window beginning May 29. There is no purchase limit. Ticket payment is cash or card.

Holds will be placed on tickets for the following:

• unpaid fines detentions owed
• library books not returned
• counseling holds - due to a last minute grade submission, Running Start verification, etc.

You will not be able to pick up your tickets or purchase additional tickets until these are all cleared.

Admission to commencement will be BY TICKET ONLY. Everyone entering graduation must have a ticket (including small children & babies). Please write your name on the back of the tickets in ink when you receive them. Lost tickets WILL NOT be re-issued free of charge. You will have to buy replacements at $5 each. Also note that only the graduating Senior may purchase graduation tickets. Parents, guardians, or other family members will not be allowed to do so.

Rehearsal Day, June 10:

Schedule is subject to change. Announcements will be made on our webpage.  

7:30-8:15 a.m.     SENIOR BREAKFAST: The junior class will serve breakfast to seniors in the Cafeteria.

8:45-9:15 a.m.     CAP & GOWN CLASS PICTURE: Photographer will be here to take a panoramic class picture with everyone in their caps and gowns in the gym. The picture will be available for purchase.

9:30-10:30 a.m.  ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WALKS: Following our group picture we will visit our feeder elementary schools (Benson Hill, Cascade, Renton Park, Tiffany Park, and Talbot Hill) and walk the hallways in caps and gowns. Seniors will visit the school they attended; those who did not go to one of our feeder elementary schools will be invited to visit a school. (Times may be adjusted by Transportation)

11:45 -2:00 p.m. GRADUATION REHEARSAL: Practice for the commencement ceremony will be held in the gym. Seniors planning to participate in the ceremony MUST be present for rehearsal. Seniors absent from rehearsal will not be permitted to walk through graduation ceremonies. Connect with Mr. Caudle ASAP if there are issues with your ability to attend rehearsal.

Graduation Day, June 11

ENTERING SHOWARE CENTER:

Graduates will enter from the rear of the building and pick up their name cards at the check-in table. From there you may go to the locker rooms to put on your cap & gown. Staff members will be nearby to direct you. After you have put on your cap and gown, please come into the hallway to line up. Please DO NOT bring valuables with you and DO NOT leave anything in the locker rooms. You will not be able to enter the building following commencement to retrieve your belongings.

GRADUATION DRESS:

In keeping with the tradition of a formal graduation at Lindbergh, we request that each graduate dress appropriately for the occasion. This means NO FLIP-FLOPS, shorts or jeans; no sunglasses, hats, or other adornment. The cap & gown should be worn plain with no added decoration and fully zipped. Culturally significant stoles may be worn upon approval of the Principal. For Principal approval, please email a picture of your proposed stole to thomas.caudle@rentonschools.us. Mr. Caudle will review your picture and contact you with his decision. No flower, candy or money leis are allowed.

GRADUATE BEHAVIOR:

It is our intent to create a formal and dignified atmosphere for your relatives and friends attending the ceremony. Students who choose to engage in inappropriate behavior risk disciplinary action. Poor behavior may result in removal from the ceremony or withholding of the diploma. Your efforts in helping us maintain high standards during this commencement exercise will be appreciated by staff, family members, and friends.

ALCOHOL/TOBACCO USE:

All students who are found to under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will not be allowed to participate in graduation.

PROCESSIONAL:

As you reach the entrance to the arena be prepared to space yourself eight feet behind the person in front of you as you enter. By doing so, each individual will stand out. There will be a staff member at the entrance to the arena to help with pacing. This may not seem important to you, but there will be those in the audience to whom you are extremely special. Don’t disappoint them. When you get in front of your chair, turn and face the front and remain standing until the entire class has entered and you are given the signal to be seated. The class will sit in unison.

RECESSIONAL:

At the conclusion of commencement, follow the recessional to the outside main entrance of ShoWare. This is where your family can meet you to celebrate.

REMINDER: ALL PERSONS ENTERING SHOWARE CENTER ARE SUBJECT TO SEARCH, INCLUDING GRADUATING SENIORS.

Guest Information

DISABLED SEATING:

ShoWare Center staff is handling all disabled seating on the day of graduation. There are no reservations. Guest Services seats guests with disabilities on a "first come, first serve" basis. ADA seating is provided for the guest plus one other person. All others in the party will be in general seating.

DURING THE CEREMONY:

In order to honor all graduates please note the following:

• Every family looks forward to that moment their Graduate takes the stage to receive their diploma and wants to celebrate their accomplishment. This part of the ceremony moves quickly – one graduate is crossing the stage as the next name is being announced. We ask that cheers and shout-outs be kept very short so that everyone’s names can be heard and every family is able to enjoy their special moment.
• Cell phones must be turned off or silenced.
• Noisemakers, balloons, and flowers are strictly prohibited at ShoWare Center. These are best enjoyed at your private celebrations.
• All guests are subject to a bag search and security check without exception. ShoWare Center also has a clear bag policy.
  • Clear bags no larger than 12"x12"x6" are allowed. One-gallon clear plastic Ziploc bags are also allowed. Small clutches no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are allowed.
  • Security must be able to see inside and identify items to the bottom of the bag. Items may not be used to obscure the view of bag contents, including but not limited to non-clear bags, pouches, etc. Bags with interior contents obscured from view are not allowed.
  • Backpacks, multi-compartment bags, duffle bags and purses larger than 4.5"x 6.5" are not allowed.
  • Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items or single compartment diaper bags (a child must be present).

Directions

ShoWare Center is located near many major highways and arterials, therefore there are several routes from which to choose. When using common mapping and navigation services you'll get varied results. These directions should provide the easiest and least congested route from your area.

From Bellevue/Renton, southbound on 167: Take the Willis St. exit. Turn left onto Willis St. and then turn left onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James St. and ShoWare Center will be on your right.

From Puyallup and Auburn, northbound on 167: Take the Willis St. exit. Turn right onto Willis St. and then turn left onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James St. and ShoWare Center will be on your right.

ShoWare Center: 625 W James St. Kent, WA 98032  (253) 856.6706.

Watch Live

• Lindbergh High School: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. (watch live)

After Graduation

DISTRIBUTION OF DIPLOMAS:

Diplomas will be handed out on Thursday, June 12, 2:30 – 4:00 pm and Monday, June 16, 2:30-4:00 p.m. in the Lindbergh Lower Commons. After June 16 there will be no scheduled pickup until the end of August, when the building reopens for the new school year. Remember, ONLY the graduate can pick up their diploma. Do not send your parent or another friend to pick it up.