CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2023

• Senior Recognition Album // Deadline to Submit May 7
• Senior Wrap-Up Meetings // May 9 & 10
• Senior Awards Ceremony // May 15 // 6p
• May 25 is a Busy Day! // Senior Sunrise // Breakfast // Panoramic Pic // Rehearsal
• Graduation Day // May 27
  
• Want a Free Car?
• How About Free Money?

When COVID forced the cancelation of in-person celebrations in 2020, the VHS Counselors decided to put together a senior slideshow to celebrate ALL seniors. It was such a wonderful tribute that we decided to keep doing it. Just like that, a new Viper tradition was born.

We are excited to celebrate all 670+ seniors by creating a Class of 2023 Celebration Album. In addition to sharing their future plans, students will be able to share any outstanding academic, service, and military honors. Here's what we need from our seniors:

Create a single GOOGLE Slide. We have pulled a few EXAMPLES from previous albums to provide you with some inspiration, or feel free to start from scratch and put your own creative stamp on it. Include absolutely anything you feel great about!

Information to be included on the slide:

• First and Last Name

• Celebrations & Accomplishments - Examples include acts of service, contributions to your community, leadership positions, holding a part-time job, etc.

• Awards/scholarships received - Examples include National Merit Scholar, National Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Scholarship

• What’s Next For Me? - A short statement about what’s on the horizon for you. Examples include joining the workforce in the field of…; attending X university to major in…; enlisting in X branch of the military

• Photo (optional)

• Make sure your slide is formatted in 16:9 widescreen ratio (this should be the default setting for Google Slides)

Save your GOOGLE Slide using the following format: Last Name_First Name_Senior Slide

Submit your saved GOOGLE Slide to the form below by Sunday, May 7th at 11:59 PM.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS - HOW CAN YOU HELP?

History has told us that parents love to be a part of the slide creation. If you are helping with your senior's slide, please make sure that you are working in Google Slides and not another format - your senior can help you with this, as they are very accustomed to using Google Slides. Also, please make sure you are collaborating with your senior and submitting a single slide.

WHERE CAN I VIEW THE ALBUM?

• link will be emailed to all seniors & parents/guardians
• album will be featured on both the VHS Counseling Website & the VHS Main Page for a time
• slideshow will run on the big screen at the HEB Center prior to graduation beginning

We know you're looking ahead to a bright future, but we have some things that require wrapping up here at the high school before graduation! So save the date: on May 9 & 10 we'll be meeting with seniors during their English 4 class periods, or PIT/ACC Off Campus periods for those of you who took ACC English. Again, this is a REQUIRED meeting and should only take 30-45 minutes of your (class)time. Full details will be posted on the Senior Information page and in the Class of 2023 Google Classroom as the dates approach.

The Senior Awards Ceremony will recognize seniors who have received outstanding academic, service, and military honors and/or awards. The ceremony will take place Monday, May 15 at 6:00 pm in the Vandegrift High School Performing Arts Center. Seniors receiving awards and recognition will receive invitations to attend the Senior Awards ceremony, however, all are welcome to join the celebration.

This is a formal celebration - we encourage students to dress up (i.e. slacks, button-ups, dresses).

Many senior activities will be taking place on May 25. See below:

• Senior Sunrise // 6a // hosted by Student Council
• Senior Breakfast // 7a
• Panoramic Picture to follow Senior Breakfast
• Graduation Rehearsal & Cap & Gown Distribution // 9a

**Reminder - graduation rehearsal is MANDATORY for all students who will be participating in the Class of 2023 graduation ceremony.

**More information on all senior activities & graduation will be shared during Senior Wrap-Up Meetings.

It's almost here! Below are a few frequently asked questions we are commonly asked

How do students get to graduation?

Students report to VHS on May 27 at 5a. From there, seniors go to assigned rooms by alpha and are then bussed to the HEB Center. Graduates join their families afterward and ride home with them.

How many guests is each senior allowed at graduation?

There is no limit to the number of guests at the HEB Center. Seating is first come/first served.

What about cords, stoles, and other regalia?

Graduation regalia identifying various honors are distributed in different ways as we near graduation. Please reference this document to understand these honors and who to contact if there are questions: Graduation Cords & Stoles

COOL CAR GIVEAWAY! // ENTRIES DUE MAY 1

How does a free car sound? Honda Leander is giving away a brand new car to one lucky Leander ISD graduating senior. Make sure to turn in the entry form in to the front office by May 1. If you are randomly chosen as one of Vandegrift's nominees, you will be notified in May so that you can attend the drawing.

Please only submit the form if you are able to attend the drawing on May 21, as you must be present to win.

The VHS Counseling website is regularly updated with scholarship opportunities. Make sure to check back often for new postings, or visit the Class of 2023 Google classroom, click on the "Classwork" feed, and locate the "Scholarships" topic. Though these applications can be time consuming, the payoff can be huge - FREE $$!

We want you looking calm and crisp on graduation day, so don't delay!

Seniors, there is a webpage devoted just to you! Please check the Senior Information Page regularly to keep track of upcoming senior events, end-of-year tasks, information about graduation, etc.