BHS c/o 2026 Senior Bulletin

To our Benicia High School Class of 2026 Graduates and Families:

The Benicia Unified School District is excited to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the Senior Class!

Graduation for the Class of 2026 will take place on Saturday, June 6th, beginning at 10:00 am, at Drolette Stadium (weather permitting). The livestream will be available from the district’s YouTube channel, linked below. The ceremony will last approximately 90 minutes. Tickets will be distributed to graduating Seniors at their graduation practice during the school day on June 5th, with eight tickets provided per graduate.

Livestream of Graduation Ceremonies:

Link to Graduation Livestream on June 6th: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeniciaUnifiedSchoolDistrict

This will remain available to view after June 6th for additional viewing.

Prohibited Items at Graduation:
The following items are not allowed inside the stadium at graduation: balloons, large signs/photo cut outs, airhorns/noisemakers, canopies/pop-up tents, umbrellas, alcohol/tobacco/vape/drug products, weapons, animals, and other items that may otherwise impede the view of others or the safety of others. No coolers or cooler bags will be permitted. ​

Guests are not permitted to save seats for large groups.

Mandatory Graduation Practice:

We will hold a graduation practice during the school day on Friday, June 5th, starting at 9:30 am. Graduation practice is mandatory for all Seniors participating in the graduation ceremony and will begin in the BHS Gym. Seniors with a reduced schedule or on Independent Study should plan to arrive to campus and report to the gym at 9:30 am. Seniors with a six period schedule will be released from their 2nd period class at 9:30 am so they can report to the gym. We anticipate that graduation practice should end by 12:00 pm and Seniors will be allowed to leave campus at that time.

Graduation Tickets:

Tickets will be distributed to students at graduation practice - eight tickets per graduate. Lost or damaged tickets will not be replaced. No one will be allowed entrance to the event without a ticket, with the exception of children under 5 years old who may enter with their parent.

Arrival & Parking:

Gates will open one hour prior to the graduation ceremony, at 9:00 am. Graduates are expected to report to the BHS Gym no later than 9:15 am so that the graduation ceremony can start on time. Graduates must arrive wearing their cap and gown.

Parking will be available in the upper and lower parking lots of Benicia High School. Entrance to the event will be at the front of the stadium only. No parking or entry will be allowed from Mary Farmar Elementary School’s parking lot, with the exception of disabled guests with a valid vehicle placard or license plate.

***Due to current construction of the lower fields, part of the lower/gym parking lot and access from Military West at Denfield to remain closed. The tennis court gate will be closed to traffic but will be open for pedestrians to walk up to the stadium. Please drive carefully and plan ahead.

Graduation Attire for Seniors:

Graduates must wear appropriate attire under their cap and gown, with their gown zipped up prior to the start of the ceremony. Flat shoes, tennis shoes, sandals, or wedges only - no high heels allowed on the track or turf field. Students are allowed to decorate their graduation caps, but they must be school appropriate. If a graduate has not yet ordered their cap and gown, they should do so immediately using the link below (Spring semester link). Jostens will be at BHS to distribute cap and gown orders on Friday, April 10th, during lunch. Students on Independent Study may pick up their cap and gown order from the main office after April 10th.

Graduation Ceremony Pictures:

GradImages will be on site at graduation to take pictures of each graduate as they are announced and as they receive their diploma cover. Families will receive the proof and ordering information by mail two to three weeks after graduation, to the mailing address provided by the graduate.

Seniors will complete a graduation card in Government or Economics class to provide their mailing address for the graduation photos and the phonetic spelling of their name to be announced at graduation. Students on Independent Study or without a Government/Economics class should email BHSInfo@beniciaunified.org to provide this information so that a card can be prepared in advance. (Name, pronunciation of name with phonetic spelling, mailing address, phone number, and personal email.)

Diploma Distribution:

Graduates receive their diploma cover at graduation when their name is announced. After the graduation ceremony has ended, graduates will proceed down to the BHS Gym to pick up their diploma. Only graduates will be permitted into the gym to pick up their diploma, then they will exit to the front of the gym, where they can then meet their guests.

Important Dates:

• Friday, June 5th: Final day of school for Seniors

• Friday, June 5th: Mandatory Graduation Practice at 9:30 am (meet in the BHS Gym)

• Saturday, June 6th: Class of 2026 Graduation Commencement Ceremony at 10:00 am

Seniors will return textbooks and Chromebooks to the library in the course of the final week of school, as directed by their teachers. If Seniors have remaining textbooks and/or Chromebooks and chargers they can return them at Graduation Practice or drop them off in the main lobby/office area of school during our office hours (Monday-Friday through June 26th).

Senior Yearbook Distribution:

Seniors who have pre-ordered a 2026 Yearbook will have the special opportunity to pick up their yearbook early at the Senior Banquet on Thursday, May 28th. General yearbook distribution will be available on Friday, May 29th before school, during lunch, and after school. Tickets to the Senior Banquet will be sold in the main office in May.

We thank all of our Class of 2026 Seniors and families for your support over the past few years. We look forward to the many special end-of-year activities and celebrations as we approach graduation.

Go Panthers!

BHS Administration

Benicia High School works with Jostens ​as our vendor to provide items ​for graduation and school memorabilia, such as class rings and letter jackets. If you have not yet ordered the graduation cap and gown - please do so immediately to ensure it arrives in time. Cap and gown orders (and other items purchased from Jostens) will be distributed during lunch on Friday, April 10th.

Please note: The only required item is the cap & gown for the graduation ceremony. If you need financial assistance with purchasing your cap & gown, please contact the BHS Main Office. All other items are optional.

Questions about your order? Email jostensbayarea@jostens.com

• Distribution of Cap/Gown and Announcement Orders (Jostens): Friday, March 20th during lunch and after school
• Spring Break: March 30th - April 6th
• Senior Game for Unified Basketball: Friday, March 6th during lunch
• Deadline to Submit Applications for Local Scholarships: Friday, April 10th
• 2026 Prom: Chabot Space & Science Center, Saturday, April 11th from 7:00 to 11:00 pm
• Senior vs. Staff Basketball Game: Wednesday, April 15th, 7:00 pm in the BHS gym
• Senior Night for Swim Team: Friday, April 17th
• Senior Night for Boys Tennis: Tuesday, April 21st
• Senior Night for Boys Volleyball: Monday, April 27th
• Deadline to Submit Scholarship & Military Info: Friday, May 1st (see info below)
• AP Exam Dates: May 4th through May 15th
• Senior Night for Baseball: Tuesday, May 5th
• Last Day to Preorder a Yearbook: Saturday, May 9th
• Senior Night for Softball: Thursday, May 14th
• Deadline to RSVP for Senior Banquet (see info below): Friday, May 15th - free to attend, catering by Elviarita's
• Senior Awards Night: Tuesday May 19th, 6:00 pm in the auditorium
• National Letter of Intent Signing Event: Thursday, May 21st during lunch
• Senior Send-off Improv Show: Friday, May 22nd at 7:00 pm
• No School - Memorial Day: Monday May 25th
• Senior Parade: Thursday May 28th
• Senior Banquet & Early Yearbook Distribution: Thursday May 28th at 5:00 pm - RSVP required
• Step Down Rally & Senior Slideshow: Friday May 29th - see info below to submit pictures
• Panther Bowl Game: Friday May 29th, 7:00 pm at Drolette Stadium
• Finals Schedule: Tuesday June 2nd - Thursday June 4th
  
• Last Day of School: Friday June 5th (minimum day schedule)
• Mandatory Graduation Practice: Friday June 5th during the school day
• Class of 2026 Graduation: Saturday June 6th, 10:00 am
• Grad Night: Saturday June 6th

Class of 2026 Senior Sweatshirts are here!

A limited selection is now available for purchase in the Front Office. First come, first serve — once they’re gone, they’re gone! Get yours and rep the Class of 2026 in Panther style.

It is scholarship season! Be sure to check the Class of 2026 Google Classroom for scholarship opportunities that are shared with us in addition to our local scholarship program. We encourage you to schedule time to research and apply to scholarships available online, through your intended college, and to apply for the FAFSA as early as possible. Here are a few helpful resources:

• FSA Scholarship Information & Links
• Federal and State Grant Agencies
• Scholarships.com
• Scholaroo California Scholarships
• Career One Stop
• Going Merry
• FastWeb
• CollegeBound

Senior Awards Night

Local Scholarships:

BHS provides a local scholarship program to help our students access scholarships from local organizations and businesses. Below is a link to the spreadsheet that lists local scholarships, award amounts, information, and links to the applications. This spreadsheet will be updated as needed so be sure to check back as more scholarships may be added. The deadline to submit applications for local scholarships is Friday, April 10th. No late submissions will be considered. Winners for these scholarships will be announced, with certificates awarded, at Senior Awards Night.

BHS is holding a Scholarships for Senior Access event on Thursday, February 26th to assist Seniors with information regarding local and outside scholarships. Those interested in attending must sign up in RTI Scheduler.

Outside Scholarships & Military Service:

BHS will continue to post scholarship opportunities to the Class of 2026 Google Classroom so please check it regularly for new scholarships.

Seniors, if you have received an outside scholarship or if you are joining the military, please make sure to submit this information using the form below no later than Friday, May 1st. Scholarships, awards, and military service that is not submitted to us will not be recorded or recognized as we will not have that information. Students who submit the information by the deadline and are being recognized will receive an invitation to the event.

Be sure to use the form linked below to let us know about opportunities to recognize you at Senior Awards Night. This can include local scholarships, college scholarships, athletic scholarships, and other financial awards. Please note, you must be logged in with your BUSD student account to complete this form.

Join us for our first ever Scholarship Info event, during Access period, on Thursday, February 26th. Sign up in RTI Scheduler to reserve your seat as space is limited. We will discuss the local scholarship opportunities and hear from guest speaker Stacy Holguin from Presidio Group Education Planning on a range of opportunities from scholarships, awards, and other funding programs.

Scholarships are gifts. They don’t need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations. Each scholarship has its own requirements. The scholarship’s website should give you an idea of who qualifies for the scholarship and how to apply. Make sure you read the application carefully, fill it out completely, and meet the application deadline. A scholarship might cover the entire cost of your tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, it’s worth applying for, because it’ll help reduce the cost of your education.

Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

Helpful Scholarship Websites

• Cappex: Find scholarship matches from companies such as Coca-Cola, Discover, Intel, and many other national and local organizations.
• CKSF: Educational and scholarship opportunities for students of all levels.
• Sallie Mae: A free service designed to help students pay for their education.
• Fast Web: A free database that provides personalized scholarship matches.
• Mometrix: Scholarships organized by popularity according to web searches. This site includes accessibility features, which are helpful for students with a disability.
• Hispanic Heritage: Awards identify, promote, and prepare Latino leaders in the classroom and community.
• HSF: Largest provider of college financial aid for Latino students.
• MALDEF: Financial resources for undocumented students with several scholarship opportunities.
• UNIGO: A free scholarship matching service with a database of over 3.6 million scholarships worth $14 billion.
• Scholarships: A free database that provides scholarships, college searches, and financial aid information.
• United Friends: Scholarship opportunities for foster youth.
• Chegg: Browse over 25,000 scholarships.
• Immigrants Rising: Provides an extensive list of scholarships for undocumented students.
• Scholarships offered by the National Student Nursing Association: https://www.fnsna.org/2026-scholarship-application
• Scholarships offered by the California Educational Theater Association for theater majors: https://www.catheatreed.org/scholarships
• Scholarships offered for psychology majors interested in mental health: https://www.bold.org

March 2nd is the priority deadline to submit the 2026-27 FAFSA or and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) if students want maximum consideration for state financial aid (such as Cal Grants, Scholarships, etc.) in addition to campus awards. Students can still apply after March 2nd and before the federal deadline of June 30, 2027, but they might miss out on some state and institutional aid.

Who should fill out the FAFSA or CADAA?

• Any student attending a 4-year college
• Any student attending community college
• A student attending vocational school

If you have made alternative post-secondary plans that do not involve attending a 4- or 2-year college or vocational school you do not have to fill out the FAFSA, but we recommend that you do in case you change your mind at a later date.

FAFSA Application Form

FAFSA FAQ's

California Dream Act

The Benicia Public Library offers free live, on-demand FAFSA assistance through its Brainfuse HelpNow service. Users can connect with experts daily from 1 pm to 10 pm (including federal holidays) to receive guidance on completing the FAFSA in both English and Spanish. A library card is required for this service.

To access this resource:

1. Go to https://www.brainfuse.com/highed/helpNow.asp?a_id=A6C1425F&ss=&r=
2. Enter your library card number. You already have one! It is your student ID using this format: BEN##### (e.g. if your student ID is 52771 your library card number is BEN52771)
3. Select “Live Tutoring”
4. Select FAFSA Assistance in both dropdown menus
5. Click “Get Live Help”

The platform and many other resources are also accessible via the Library’s website www.benicialibrary.org -> Services -> Teens -> Homework Help & Online Tutoring.

Early Bird Ticket Sales ($140 tickets) - February 23rd through 27th

Regular Ticket & Guest Bid Sales ($150 tickets) - March 2nd through 20th

Last Chance Ticket & Guest Bid Sales ($165 tickets) - March 23rd through 27th

NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AFTER THE MARCH 27TH DEADLINE

Seniors with financial hardship who are unable to purchase a ticket to Prom but would like to attend, please email Principal Kleinschmidt for assistance. Thanks to the generous donation of the Rotary Club of Benicia, we are able to provide assistance to a limited number of Seniors for their ticket.

Hello Seniors! We are gathering submissions of your favorite moments or memories at BHS to create Instagram posts on the BHS account as we countdown to graduation. They may also be used in Principal Kleinschmidt's graduation speech so they need to be school appropriate. Memory/moments may be related to class, extracurriculars, friends, etc. from any year of high school.

For example: My favorite moment was hanging out with friends and taking pictures on the field at the Senior Sunrise.

This form requires your name so we can include that with the memory. This is optional and by submitting you give permission to use your name and the information included.

Seniors are invited to participate in the Senior Parade and walk the halls of one of the elementary schools in Benicia, while wearing their caps and gowns, as the elementary teachers and students applaud them. This event will take place on Thursday, May 28th and Seniors must turn in their forms to the main office by Friday, May 22nd.

This is an optional event. Please read through all of the information on the Senior Parade Form linked below and note the guidelines/instructions. This is an important celebration of our Seniors and opportunity to serve as role models for our future Panthers. After parading through the hallways, the Seniors then get to speak with the 5th grade students and answer their questions about high school.

We are excited to continue celebrating the accomplishments of our student-athletes as they take the next step in their academic and athletic journeys.

BHS is hosting a National Letter of Intent (NLI) Signing Day on May 21st. At this event, Benicia High School will be honoring student-athletes who are committing to four-year colleges and universities and signing an official letter (NCAA D1, D2, D3, and NAIA). To be included in this event, please submit your information using the button below.

We are incredibly proud of all of our student-athletes, and cheer them on as the continue the path they choose after high school. Whether they pursue athletics at a two-year college, club level, or focus on academics or other opportunities, we celebrate their hard work and dedication.

#GoPanthers

Your BHS Leadership and Senior Reps are working on your Senior Slideshow and want everyone to submit photos to make it the best Senior Slideshow possible! Senior slideshow submissions will open the first week of March with a Google Form posted in the c/o 2026 Google Classroom. Each Senior can submit photos from your high school experience - group pictures, special events, fun activities, from freshman year to senior year. The slideshow will be shown at the end of the Step Down Rally on Friday, May 29th.

Panther Bowl is on Friday, May 29th! We are looking for Seniors to play flag football for a Friday night under the stadium lights and perform on the Panther Bowl cheer team. Players and cheerleaders must sign up in advance and will be chosen on a first-come first served basis. There is a moderate time commitment required for practices outside of the school day.

IF you want to participate, you MUST attend a meeting during lunch on Tuesday, March 10th during lunch in room L-116/117 to reserve your spot. If you miss the meeting, you may not be able to participate.

Parchment offers transcript services for a large number of high schools and colleges so students who have attended multiple schools may be able to use this one-stop location for everything you need. If you do not find a school on Parchment, you should contact that school directly or check their website.

BHS transcripts ordered on Parchment will be sent directly to the location you specify or you can have them delivered directly to you if needed.

For Seniors who have completed courses or are currently enrolled in courses at a community college, remember to order your transcripts from those colleges directly and have them sent to the college you will attend. Also, students who have earned college credits through classes at Benicia High School (articulated classes) need to order college transcripts from the community college, this includes most of our CTE classes. We want to make sure you get your college credits!

The links below provide information on how to request a transcript from a local community college. If you have any questions or need help, please stop into the Counseling Office.

• Diablo Valley College: https://www.dvc.edu/enrollment/admissions-records/transcripts.html
• Solano Community College: https://welcome.solano.edu/ar-outgoing-transcripts/

UA Local 343 - Plumbing, Pipefitting & Welding Apprenticeship Openings for Napa & Solano Counties: The U.A. Local 343 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee will be accepting applications for the Apprenticeship Program in the Pipe Trades Industry on the following dates: June 2nd through June 4th (Tuesday – Thursday). Applicants must apply in person with the documents listed below.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must provide copies of the required documents at the time of application. Copies you provide will not be returned.

• A valid Driver License or Valid State issued identification card
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card
• Proof of High School Diploma or Legal equivalent: High School Diploma, or G.E.D. or Official Sealed Transcripts (If not yet graduated from high school, Current Official Transcripts)
• DD 214 Military Discharge (if applicable)

APPLICANT MUST BE PHYSICALLY ABLE TO PERFORM THE WORK OF THE TRADE

TESTING: Applicants who successfully apply will be scheduled to take a two-part written exam: Math (Numerical Ability) and Mechanical Aptitude. The Minimum passing score shall be 70 percent.

INTERVIEW: Applicants successfully passing the written exam will be scheduled for an interview with the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee.

TRAINING: A minimum of five (5) years of classroom training & five (5) years of on-the-job Training.

All BHS students are required to return their school-issued Chromebooks, chargers, textbooks and school materials before leaving for Summer Break. Please see information below about Chromebook return.

Chromebook Return Location & Times:

• Seniors:

• Date: Thursday, June 4th

• Time: 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

• Location: Rooms A-103 and A-104, Library as overflow

• Grades 9 - 11:

• Date: Friday, June 5th

• Time: 8 AM - 1:30 PM

• English teachers will bring their classes

• Location: Rooms A-103 and A-104, Library as overflow

Mandatory Return for All Students:

Please note that all students must turn in their Chromebooks and chargers. This includes students who are returning next year.

Technology will be pulling information on which students are in AP or summer school via Aeries.

Early Chromebook Returns:

If you need to return your Chromebook before the last day of school, you may do so at the BHS Library during regular school hours.

Late Chromebook Returns:

If you are unable to return your Chromebook on or before June 5th, you may drop it off at the BHS Front Office. The Main Office is open from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, through June 26th.

Summer Chromebook Lockout:

All school-issued Chromebooks will be locked out for summer usage from June 10th to August 10th, unless you are in summer school or AP.

Textbook Return:

Students must return all textbooks, library books, and other school materials by Friday, June 6th. Textbooks and library books should be returned to the school library. Failure to return these items will result in fines.

Other School Items:

Students must return any athletic equipment, elevator keys, and other school items that were loaned to them during the school year. We recommend these items are returned as soon as possible and can be brought to the Main Office.

Thank you for your help!

Benicia Grad Night is a safe and sober event held by an organization of parent and community volunteers who work all year to fundraise and create this special night for our graduates. This special tradition has continued since 1989 and we need your help to keep it going!

SENIORS & FAMILIES - Don't wait to get your Grad Night Tickets! Price increases as we get closer to the event. The link to purchase a Grad Night ticket for a Senior is below and the price is $165 until June 1st.

VOLUNTEERS - PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS: Sign up today to be a part of all the fun! Grad Night takes a village and we currently have about half the volunteers that are needed. We also need help with setup, decorating, and moving props. We need blackjack dealers, casino cashiers, food service, clean up and more. Please ask your friends and family to help make this event successful. We understand that volunteerism faces challenges, but the continued success of Benicia Grad Night depends on your invaluable support. By donating your time, you're not just helping with an event; you're contributing to a tradition that has positively impacted generations of Benicia graduates.

What to know about Grad Night 2026:

• Grad Night event is held at BHS, entrance at gate near teacher parking lot.
• The gate opens at 7:00 pm on Jun 6th (gate will close at 9:00, no admission after 9:00 pm)
• Students will be dismissed at 1:00 am on Jun 7th.
• Students are required to stay until 1:00 am (early release will not be permitted unless medical reason)
• No large purses, totes, or back packs are permitted.

Prize Donations:

We are looking for prize donations, which will be raffled at Grad Night. We except Gift Cards, Gift baskets, and any items a young adult might need such as beach towels, Hydration cups, etc. Contact Grad Night at Beniciagradnight@gmail.com for donations.

If you have any questions contact up at beniciagradnight@gmail.com

Please note, Benicia Grad Night is run by a community volunteer organization and appreciates all donations of time, service, and goods to help provide this event. This event is not run by BHS or BUSD. Please direct questions regarding this event to Benicia Grad Night through their website. Thank you!

Google accounts for graduating seniors will be inaccessible after graduation. In order to preserve files from your district Google Drive account, graduating seniors must save any wanted files by June 13th. To save and download ALL contents of your Google Drive, please follow the steps below:

Here is the link to transfer files: https://takeout.google.com/transfer

Here are the steps to follow:

Start the copy process on your school account, go to Transfer your content.

• Enter the email address of the Google Account where you want to copy your content.
• Select Get code.
• On your Google Account, check your Gmail inbox for a confirmation email from Google. In the email, select Get confirmation code. A new tab will open with a code.
• On your school account, go back to the "Transfer your content" page. Enter the code, then choose Verify.
• Choose the content you'd like to copy, then select Start transfer.

For any Seniors who created an account with California College Guidance Initiative, remember to log in and add/change to your personal email in account details to ensure successful access to your accounts after graduation.

Email: BHSinfo@beniciaunified.org
Website: bhs.beniciaunified.org
Location: 1101 Military West, Benicia, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 747-8325
Facebook: facebook.com/BeniciaHighPanthers
Twitter: @BeniciaHighBHS

District programs, activities, and practices shall be free from unlawful discrimination, including discrimination against an individual or group based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, national origin, immigration status, ethnic group identification, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or related recovery, parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information; a perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.