Class of 2026 Senior Newsletter

The school dress code will be enforced during all Senior Week activities—No Exceptions

Seniors, get ready for an unforgettable experience! We’re excited to host a special Senior Andretti Experience just for you—a chance to celebrate, connect, and enjoy some fun with your classmates as the year comes to a close.

This exclusive senior event will give you the opportunity to enjoy activities, unwind, and create lasting memories with the Class of 2026.

Seniors, get ready for a memorable evening as we come together for Senior Sunset—a special time to relax, reflect, and celebrate the journey of the Class of 2026.

Enjoy an evening filled with great vibes, time with friends, and fun activities as we take in one of our final moments together as a class.

Senior Breakfast

Seniors, we’re excited to celebrate you with a full day of recognition!

Join us for Senior Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.—a time to gather, connect, and enjoy this special moment together as a class. *Senior Breakfast is for seniors only.*

Senior Honors Night

Later that evening, we will honor your achievements at Honors Night at 6:00 p.m.

Honors Night is invitation only. Seniors who received an invitation are invited to attend.

Parent/guardian notifications have been sent via ParentSquare. Guests are welcome to attend with invited students as we celebrate the accomplishments and excellence of the Class of 2026.

We look forward to celebrating you throughout the day!

Seniors, it’s time to celebrate YOUR next chapter! Join us on Friday, May 1 at 9:00 AM as we recognize your college and military commitments.

Want to be recognized?

You MUST:

• Register for College & Military Decision Day
• Submit your slide (recommended not required) by April 29 (NO EXCEPTIONS!)
• College-bound seniors: Submit your Enrollment Decision in SchooLinks FIRST

Show off your future plans and let us celebrate YOU in a BIG way!

Only students who complete all steps will have their slide included.

All seniors will be attending — this event is exclusive to seniors only.

Seniors, get ready for some fun! Immediately following our College & Military Decision Day celebration, all seniors will transition to enjoy Senior Field Day. This is your time to relax, have fun, and make lasting memories with your classmates as you close out your final weeks at MHSHS.

Senior Field Day Highlights:

• Senior Walk: 1:45 p.m.
• Movie & Snacks: 2:00 p.m.

Please note the following expectations to ensure a safe and successful event:

• No water guns or toy guns of any kind are permitted.
• No outside visitors are allowed. This event is for MHSHS seniors only!
• No outside food or drinks may be brought onto campus. Lunch is being provided!

We’re looking forward to an exciting and positive experience for everyone—come ready to celebrate, connect, and enjoy the moment!

Seniors, as we approach graduation, it is critical that you review and plan for the required rehearsal dates below. Attendance at ALL graduation rehearsals is mandatory in order to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Please plan accordingly—these dates are not optional. It is very vital that you make arrangements now for transportation, work schedules, and any other commitments to ensure you are present and on time for each rehearsal.

These rehearsals are essential to ensure a smooth and successful graduation ceremony—your participation matters! 🎓

🎓Seniors, get ready for a full-circle moment you won’t forget!

We’re excited to invite you to participate in the Elementary School Senior Walk at one of our cluster elementary schools. This special event is your chance to go back down memory lane—walking the same halls where your journey began, but this time as a graduating senior ready to take on the world.

Current dates and participating elementary schools are listed on the flyer in this newsletter.

Be sure to review the flyer and mark your calendars—you don’t want to miss this unforgettable experience! Please click on the link to register.

Let’s take it back to where it all started!

🎓 Attention Class of 2026! 🎓

This is your FINAL and most important set of instructions. Please review every detail below to ensure a smooth and successful graduation experience. Failure to follow these expectations may impact your participation!!!

It is important that you arrive on time and fully prepared. Please review the key arrival details below carefully. This process is structured and time-sensitive to ensure a smooth ceremony for all graduates.

Location: Gas South Exhibit Halls C/D
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

• Arrival Window: 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
• Remain in your vehicle until 2:30 PM
• Enter the Convention Center at 2:30 PM
• Rehearsal begins at 3:15 PM SHARP – NO EXCEPTIONS

Late arrival may jeopardize your ability to participate in graduation. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time for traffic and parking.

Leave all personal belongings inside your vehicle, including cell phones and electronics.

1. Plan to arrive early to ensure your safety.
2. Enter the Satellite Blvd Entrance and park in the designated Parking Deck 1 (a parking attendant will direct you). Parking is free.
3. Leave ALL personal items (except one car key) in your vehicle or with a family member. This includes purses, wallets, bags, large items and/or cell phone/ electronic devices. Cell phones/ electronic devices will be confiscated. Those confiscated will be available for pick up at our school the next day.
4. Walk or take the eleveator to Level P3. Cross the bridge to enter the Convention Center.
5. Enter the Gas South Convention Center at 2:30 p.m. Graduates take the left escalator when entering the convention center to Exhibit hall B for our check in location.
6. All graduates will be required to open their gown as they enter. You can zip your gown after you go through security. You will be directed to your seat for the ceremony. BE ON TIME!
7. Graduates, you may NOT leave once you have arrived and checked-in.

Graduates must arrive dressed in:

• Navy cap and gown
• Tassel with ’26 charm
• White MHSHS stole
• Only MHSHS approved cords & Military stoles are permitted to be worn during the ceremony.

Approved Attire:

• Knee-length skirt/dress (must be the color black if skirt/dress is longer than gown) or black slacks
• White dress shirt or collared shirt
• Black tie
• Black socks, Dark shoes
• Dark dress shoes (leather Sperry or similar allowed)
• Black flats or low heels are recommended for comfurt due to extended standing and walking
• Ceremony shoes can be worn to any graduation practice to test your level of comfort.

The following are NOT allowed to be worn during the Graduation commencement.

• NO Decorated caps or gowns
• NO Traditional/heritage stoles or additional attire
• No Jewelry or accessories should be visible outside of the graduation gown; Earrings, rings, watches, and bracelets are permitted.
• NO Jeans, tennis shoes, or flip flops
• Heels and stiletto shoes are strongly discouraged

• Rehearsal will begin promptly at 3:15 PM
• Remain in your assigned seat at all times
• You will not be permitted to leave your seating area to visit with family or friends
• Be prepared for the graduation processional at 4:30 p.m. to ensure the ceremony begins promptly at 5:00 p.m.
• All graduates will participate in the processional (formal entrace into the ceremony) and recessional (formal exit at the end of ceremony)

All graduates will receive 10 commencement tickets for their guests. Tickets will be distributed during Graduation Rehearsal on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Please ensure that your guests have their tickets ready as they approach the Gas South Exhibit Halls for entry.

Need Additional Tickets?

Each student may receive up to 10 graduation tickets initially at the Graduation Rehearsal on May 19th at 2:00 pm. If a student needs more than 10 tickets, please follow these steps:

Some students may not use all 10 of their tickets. Students are encouraged to check with their classmates to see if any extra tickets are available.

• Request additional tickets if still needed.

After all tickets have been distributed on May 19th at 2:00 pm, any remaining tickets will be given out after 2:00 pm on May 19th based on the number of additional tickets requested, starting from the smallest request.

• Students who need 1 extra ticket will be helped first
• Then students who need 2 extra tickets
• And so on, until all tickets are distributed

This process helps ensure tickets are shared as fairly as possible.

Important Reminder:

To verify or clear any outstanding fines, please see Mrs. Sly in the Media Center as soon as possible.

Thank you for your attention to this important requirement as we prepare for graduation!

• Doors open for family and friends one (1) hour before the ceremony at 4:00 p.m.

• Enter the Satellite Blvd Entrance and park in the designated Parking Deck 1 (a parking attendant will direct you). Parking is free.

• Walk or take the eleveator to Level P3 and cross the bridge to enter the Convention Center. Families and guest will go down the right escalator to Exhibit Halls C & D.

• Guests should be ready to enter together.

• Only clear bags no larger than 14"x14"x6" will be able to enter the venue. If guests have a diaper bag or bag required for medical needs, there will be a specific lane through which participants will enter.

• Re-entry for gathering on the concourse will be allowed.

• Handicap seating is available for guests who require accommodations.
• Spanish interpretation services will be provided.
• All other guest seating is not assigned and will be first come, first serve.
• Guests will be seated from front to rear of the Exhibit Halls as they enter.

• Junior Marshals (dressed in gray blazers) will be available throughout the venue to:
  • Distribute graduation programs
  • Assist guests with locating restrooms
  • Provide guidance for water stations and general needs

• As each graduate walks across the stage:
• They will be presented with their diploma and diploma cover by Dr. Hernandez.
• An official photographer will capture each graduate’s moment after receiving their diploma. This is your moment—stand tall, be confident, and SMILE!

Final Exams

May 12th - 14th, 2026

High school graduating seniors who have an overall “A” average, 90% or greater, will be exempt from taking local semester examinations for the second semester except when an EOC Assessment is required.

High school graduating seniors who have an “A” average, 90% or greater, in a specific course may be exempt from taking a local second semester examination on a course by course basis.

All honor graduates are not required to take the final exempt. To be classified as a honor graduate, seniors must have an overall 90 percent numeric grade average or higher. Numeric average is located on transcript.

Seniors, your GCPS cloud accounts and files (Google Drive, Microsoft 365/OneDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud) will be deleted once you are no longer a GCPS student.

Please click on How to Save GCPS Cloud Accounts Files to learn how to save your files before they are deleted.

Save files by May 14, 2026

If the Chromebook and charger are not returned or identified as lost by the student by end of day (EOD) May 14th, graduation tickets will be withheld until they are returned or identified as lost and fines paid. Mrs. Sly and Mrs. Malloy will be at all Graduation Rehearsals to collect devices as well.

Please adhere to these guidelines to ensure a smooth process!

The 2026-2027 FAFSA form is open! Colleges and technical schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarship, work-study, and loans. Students who want to be considered for federal, state, and local school financial aid programs, should complete FAFSA.

You can access the FAFSA form here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Please click on the buttons below to access information about these scholarships. These are just a few of many scholarships you will be able to apply for this school year!

• High school and/or college transcript
• Resume: should include list of extracurricular activities, honors, awards, volunteer/work experience, etc.
• Letter of recommendation from a non-relative
• Essay: Minimum of 400 words answering the question: Identifying Community Needs for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation: As you reflect on your experiences and aspirations, consider the following prompt related to entrepreneurship, business, and financial strategy. Describe a business idea you would develop to address a specific need in your local community. How would you identify the problem, design your solution, and implement your business plan to ensure sustainability and growth? Consider the financial aspects of your

You MUST have your application and supporting documents postmarked/delivered no later than 5 p.m. on April 30, 2026 to be eligible.

The Alcanzando Un Sueño Scholarship supports Hispanic high school seniors transitioning to college with money to fund their first year of college. Since 2013, Cruz & Associates has awarded Atlanta and Phoenix students more than $250,000 in tuition assistance.

Applications are accepted online. Winners receive their awards at an annual scholarship dinner and reception where students and their families are honored along with a distinguished group of community leaders.

The Belli Scholarship honors the memory of John, Lynne and Nicole Belli by affording college tuition and expense monies to a diverse group of Gwinnett County high school graduates, particularly those with documented economic need who may not be identified as academic or athletic leaders in their schools but possess the skills to be academically successful in college. The intent of this scholarship is to provide financial support for students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend college.

Scholarship Information

o The Belli Scholarship will be awarded during the summer after high school graduation

o Provides $8000 annually for college expenses including tuition, books, and fees up to $32,000.

o Renewable for up to four years of documented college coursework (must maintain a 2.0 college GPA).

Please see below the attached scholarship application.

Each winner is eligible for only one $3,000 award. Awards are intended for students only. The check will be issued to the student and sent by mail.

You must meet these requirements:

• Must be a U.S. resident or Permanent Resident and demonstrate financial need based on the income restrictions**.
• Must currently be a college-bound high school senior, enrolling for the upcoming academic year at either a 4-year or 2-year institution.
• Must have minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or have earned a GED.
• Must attend the financial literacy class and the scholarship ceremony.

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026