Senior Class Update

Dear Seniors and Parents,

My father always used to remind me that time passes quickly, and, as a typical teenager, I scoffed at his refrain. But, the older I get, the smarter he seems, and so it is this year. Things are moving fast and excitedly toward graduation, and seniors will soon be leaving the Upper School building to work on their Senior Capstone Projects. As we approach the many special year-end events, please use the following check-list to prepare for the days ahead and mark your calendars.

Commencement Tickets and Caps and Gowns
Commencement tickets are available for pick-up today in the main offices in both buildings at Redmond Campus (and even at Valley Campus). Feel free to pick up as many tickets as you need for your full guest list. Tickets will be available for the general school population on May 15.

Caps and gowns will be available for pick-up in the Upper School main office during the week of Senior Capstone Project presentations, beginning June 4. Caps and gowns will be held until all textbooks, library books, team uniforms, and blazers have been returned, and all school fees are paid.

Gowns are rented; however, students may keep the caps, honor cords, and tassels. Please be sure to have the gown ironed or professionally pressed before it is worn at Commencement.

Senior Capstone Project Kick-off Breakfast
Monday, May 7 at 8:10 a.m. in the Marilyn R. Nagel Commons
The senior class will meet one last time for their Capstone class for dissemination of senior project details and reminders as well as a send-off continental breakfast. When students are released from the breakfast, they will attend their AP classes or be dismissed to begin work on their senior projects.

AP Exams
Between May 7-18, students sit for AP exams according to the schedule mandated by the College Board. Seniors are only expected to attend any AP classes until their AP exams are complete.

Advice for the College Launch
Wednesday, May 9 at 7:30 a.m. in the Farmhouse
Parents of seniors, please RSVP for this informative panel presentation about graduation and launching your child to college.

RSVP

Senior College Sweatshirt Photo and Capstone Project Check-in Lunch
Friday, May 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the C.E. "Ted" Kindel Library (Main Building)
Each senior should don logo-wear representing the college he/she plans to attend next fall. Students will sit for the annual senior class college sweatshirt photo and then meet for a senior project check-in pizza lunch with their advisors.

Junior/Senior Prom
On Saturday, May 19, the boat departs from the Kirkland Marina Park Dock at 8:00 p.m. (all aboard by 7:30 p.m.) and returns at 11:00 p.m. All the details are available online including tickets, location, parking, dress guidelines, and guest request forms.

Authors & Artists
Join us for our annual showcase of visual, literary, and performing art on Thursday, May 24 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Exhibits will be found all around Redmond Campus. Come celebrate the arts and enjoy the food trucks on campus.

Senior Capstone Project Presentations

Monday, June 4, 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 5, 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 6, 8:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Seniors are required to attend the presentations of their peers during all presentation blocks on all three presentation days and will need to arrive by 8:15 a.m. each day. Parents are invited to attend their son's or daughter's presentation as well as those of his/her classmates. In early May, the Senior Capstone Project presentation schedule will be posted in the Class of 2018 folder on the Parent Page. Students should wear business attire (slacks, skirts, dress shirts/blouses, ties, etc.) when delivering their presentations unless otherwise arranged. Seniors may wear free dress when they are not presenting.

Commencement Rehearsal
Wednesday, June 6, 12:30 p.m.
After the last senior project presentation on Wednesday, the senior class will have a quick lunch and then proceed to Bellevue Presbyterian Church for Commencement rehearsal. All students will ride to and from rehearsal on the school bus.

Upper School Honors Assembly
Thursday, June 7, 10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center
Seniors must be present at 9:45 a.m. Students in grades 9-12 will be presented with a variety of honors and awards celebrating their achievements, hard work, and great contributions to our school community. Dress expectation for seniors is dressy dress: dresses and skirts for the girls with a modest hem line and neck line; slacks, shirts, and ties would be appropriate for the boys. Parents are encouraged to attend to witness the formal passing of leadership from the outgoing senior class to the juniors. No RSVP is necessary.

Seniors vs. Faculty Softball Game
Thursday, June 7, 11:30 a.m. on Owens Field
The traditional seniors vs. faculty softball game will take place after the Upper School Honors Assembly. Coach Pohlman will barbeque for the seniors and faculty before the game on Owens Field. Bring your gloves and sneakers. This is a wonderful experience for all with some great competition.

Senior Breakfast, An Evening of Honors Rehearsal, and Cap and Gown Pictures
Friday, June 8, 9:00 a.m. in the Cornerstone Theater (Main Building)
During this event, seniors receive critical details and practice so that the weekend celebrations run smoothly. During breakfast, seniors open their time capsules from Middle School. After breakfast, seniors will rehearse for An Evening of Honors. Once rehearsal is finished, the seniors will have an official senior photo taken at the Upper School.

Please plan to arrive picture-ready. Boys should bring a white dress shirt with a collar and necktie for these pictures. Cap and gown will be provided for picture taking purposes; seniors do not need to bring their caps and gowns.

An Evening of Honors
Friday, June 8, 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. in the Cornerstone Theater (Main Building)
Cornerstone Theater doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is not assigned; however, dessert for this event will be based on your RSVPs, so please limit guests to the RSVP number originally submitted. An Evening of Honors is for immediate family members (parents and siblings). If you have not yet submitted your family's RSVP, please do by May 11.

RSVP

At this event, senior ladies should wear modest, dressy attire. Please avoid revealing dresses and maintain modest hem lengths and necklines. Senior men should wear dress shirts, ties, and dress slacks. Jackets are not required but are appropriate for this event. A video recording will be taken of An Evening of Honors; copies will be distributed to Class of 2018 families during the summer along with a recording of Commencement Exercises. Parents are free to photograph or take video of seniors as the awards are presented. A Bear Creek photographer will also be present, and photos will be posted on Vidigami.

Commencement Exercises
Saturday, June 9, 2:00 p.m. at Bellevue Presbyterian Church
All seniors need to arrive no later than 11:45 a.m. and gather for pictures in Room S-150. Signs will indicate the location of the meeting room, and Mrs. Stump will give students directions. Senior choir members may be asked to arrive earlier if needed. A light lunch will be available while seniors await the ceremony.

Senior men must wear black, dark gray, or navy dress pants, a white dress shirt, tie, black socks, and black shoes. Jackets are not required or recommended under the graduation gown. Senior ladies must wear either a white dress, a white skirt and blouse ensemble, or a white tailored suit, and white or nude shoes. Please avoid revealing dresses and maintain modest hem lengths and necklines. Please make sure that all gowns are pressed. Many families have used a professional dry cleaner with great results.

The doors for general admission to the sanctuary will open at 1:00 p.m. Seating is unassigned; however, some seats are reserved and marked accordingly for faculty members of the processional and special guests. Parents and guests are welcome to take photographs throughout the ceremony but are asked to respect the formality and flow of the event by taking photographs from a less-than conspicuous spot. A professional photographer will also be present to capture the "hand-shake" shot, and a Bear Creek photographer will be taking photos during the ceremony and reception. Both sets of photos will be available online within a few days of Commencement.

The Commencement ceremony will also be recorded by a videographer; copies will be distributed to families of the Class of 2018 during the summer along with a video recording of An Evening of Honors. The photographer will stage the traditional cap toss following the ceremony. You may want to have your cameras at the ready for this classic shot!

All gowns must be returned and checked in with Mrs. Leckvold in Room S-150 before graduates leave the church following the reception.

Enjoy each moment!

Patrick Carruth