Graduation 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025
2 p.m.
Dear Class of 2025 Students and Families,
The purpose of this letter is to provide you with information regarding graduation, to help your family plan during the last weeks of school.
The Class of 2025 Commencement will be held on May 31, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Eagle Bank Arena (George Mason University, Fairfax, VA).
To participate in the graduation ceremony, seniors must have completed all graduation requirements. If you have any questions about credit requirements, please contact the appropriate school counselor at 703-583-1405.
| Counselor | Assignment |
|---|---|
| Redrick Jones | A - Barn |
| Makayla Crewes | Baq - Corp |
| Jessica Lynch | Cort - Giles |
| Tasha Dykes | Gill - Joy |
| Carolina Arriaza-Chavez | Jua - Moff |
| Elena Bembry | Moh - Prop |
| Alissa Chambers | Qaz - Sank |
| Denise Riley | Sant - Vilc |
| Amy Dunlap | Vill - Z |
Participation in the graduation ceremony is optional for all graduates. A survey was sent out to all seniors on March 14, 2025, to complete regarding their participation in the ceremony. The survey should be completed and returned no later than April 11, 2025. This information is used for planning purposes. Any senior electing not to attend may pick up their diploma at the school after June 2, 2025.
Seniors who do not plan to participate in the graduation ceremony must provide an electronic mail verification from his/her parent or guardian to Ms. Brown, [email protected], no later than May 9, 2025. Graduation practice will be held on Thursday, May 29, at 8:00 a.m. and Friday, May 30, at 9:00 a.m. Students will report to the auditorium on May 29th before entering the main gym, and on May 30th, students will report directly to the main gym. Any student who does not attend both required graduation practices will NOT be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. In addition, any student who chooses not to participate may not reconsider at the last minute. Questions should be directed to Ms. Brown.
Jostens is the Graduation vendor for the Class of 2025. Seniors planning to participate in the graduation ceremony will need to have a cap and gown to participate. https://www.jostens.com
Graduating seniors should plan to arrive at Eagle Bank Arena between 1:00-1:15 p.m. Additional arrival details will be relayed in future communications. Spectators should plan to arrive at Eagle Bank Arena no later than 1:30 p.m.
We are in the third marking period; seniors are reminded that attendance is still very important. Failure to attend school daily, and on time, and to complete all assigned work, may negatively affect grades and could result in students not meeting course requirements necessary for graduation. In addition, it is essential that seniors adhere to all county and school rules/regulations, in the Code of Behavior, for the remainder of the year. Failure to do so may be cause for suspension and jeopardize an individual’s privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony.
Seniors are required to ensure that all financial obligations (lost library or textbooks, laptops, unreturned uniforms/equipment, cafeteria fees, transcripts, musical instruments, etc.) are reconciled by 12 noon on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Failure to do so will exclude them from participating in the commencement ceremony.
We respectfully request that parents of graduates and their family and friends maintain proper decorum throughout the graduation ceremony. Please refer to the pink security policy enclosed.
During the graduation ceremony, celebrations in the stands such as: yelling, air horns, and banners for individual students hinder the ability of other family members to hear the names of their graduates. Our Seniors have devoted tremendous time and hard work preparing for this dignified ceremony. We seek your cooperation in making the graduation ceremony one that all families enjoy, and students are recognized appropriately.
Due to CDC guidelines, personal pictures must be taken from your seat. However, Life Touch will be on hand to capture the moment your graduate receives their diploma. Following the graduation ceremony, you will have to immediately exit the venue.
Finally, best wishes for the successful completion of your Senior year. We look forward to a memorable graduation ceremony. Additional graduation information, announcements, updates, forms, and frequently asked questions will be posted to the Senior Canvas Page and Freedom High School homepage at https://freedomhs.pwcs.edu/.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. L. Brown if you have any questions or concerns.
Senior Class Trip
Senior Class Trip
Friday, May 16
Kings Dominion
$60, meal included
See Ms. Jenkins (room 1140) for a permission slip.
Important Dates
| May 29 | Senior Graduation Practice | 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Auditorium/Gym) |
| May 30 | Senior Graduation Practice | 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Gym) |
| Seniors should come dressed in their caps & gowns for this practice. This is your dress rehearsal. | ||
| May 31 | Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony | 2:00 p.m. (Eagle Bank Arena) |
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Jostens is the graduation vendor for the Class of 2025. Please visit Jostens’s website to purchase a cap and gown. https://www.jostens.com. Students planning to participate in the graduation ceremony will need to have a cap and gown.
Q: I have guests who will need accessible seating. What should I do?
A: Accessible seating will be available at the venue. Space is limited. Upon arrival, please speak to school security for further directions.
Q: Will guests need tickets in advance to attend?
A: No. This year we have decided not to use tickets.
Q: What time do I need to arrive on graduation day?
A: Graduates should arrive no later than 1:15 pm. Once on-site, students will be directed to the holding area as they wait for the processional to begin. Spectators should plan to arrive no later than 1:30 pm.
Q: Who can I contact with additional questions?
A: Please email our graduation coordinator at [email protected] or your senior sponsors Ms. Guyisha Riley at [email protected] and Ms. Kamei Ellis at [email protected]
Document of Decorum
FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL
DOCUMENT OF DECORUM
Graduation: Class of 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2:000 p.m.
George Mason University Eagle Bank Arena
Preamble:
We, the Class of 2025 in order to graduate with pride and dignity, establish peace and tranquility among our class members, promote the general welfare, demonstrate our commitment to the betterment of mankind, and secure the blessings of education to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Document of Decorum.
MAJOR UNDERSTANDINGS
Conduct During Ceremony:
- Guests and spectators are asked to refrain from moving about during the ceremony, to be attentive and considerate, and to remain seated until graduates have exited.
- Any student or guest demonstrating intent to disrupt will be immediately removed by staff from the ceremony.
- Code of Behavior will be followed.
- Noisemakers, balloon bouquets, signs, or banners will not be tolerated.
- Seat saving is prohibited. Handicap seating is limited and on a first-come basis.
- Guests and members of the Class of 2025 will refrain from distracting actions so that all can receive the proper individual attention.
- Consideration of others throughout the ceremony is expected.
- Celebration should not involve throwing caps until the appropriate moment is at hand and recognition, respect, and attention have been afforded to all.
- We will exit with dignity.
Expectations of the Ceremony:
The ceremony will be short, meaningful, and dignified.
Dress Code:
The Class of 2025 and the administration request that guests dress in a tasteful manner appropriate to this dignified, once-in-a-lifetime ceremony.
Graduating Seniors
- Dresses, skirts, shirts with collars, dress pants (no jeans or shorts), socks, dress shoes, necktie/bowtie. Low-heeled shoes are recommended. Sandals or flip-flops are not allowed. Please wear black shoes.
- Caps will be worn straight on the head. All decorations must be school-appropriate. If not, caps will be taken. No cell phones, no sunglasses, no purses, or keys.
- Only honor stoles/cords issued by the school are permitted. All unauthorized stoles or decorative items are not permitted.
Pre-Graduation Requirements:
- Attendance at all practices is required if students are to walk.
- Be on time to practice! You must stay for the entire practice.
Graduation Day Requirements:
- Arrive by 1:15 p.m. and be in line by 1:45 p.m. on graduation day.
Students are required to have completed all academic requirements for graduation and financial obligations prior to participation in the ceremony.
The Class of 2025 requests that all parties read and sign this document. The return of this signed document is a pre-requisite to participation in the graduation practice and ceremony. Signing this document indicates a commitment to abide by its conditions.
PLEASE RETURN THIS SIGNED DOCUMENT TO THE MAIN OFFICE by May 16, 2025.
Order Your Cap and Gown
Use the link below to place your cap and gown order.
Click Here to Order Your Freedom HS Cap & Gown and Graduation Products
Graduation Cap Decoration Guidelines
The Freedom High School class of 2025 is excited to allow decorations on graduation caps to positively showcase students' pride in themselves, their accomplishments, and their future. These decorations are an optional opportunity to thank family, friends, or educators, celebrate your post-graduation plans (career, college, military, etc.), recognize your extracurricular involvements or cultural heritage, etc.
Because these caps will be displayed at graduation, a school-sponsored event, and to ensure that commencement remains a dignified and inclusive celebration of the achievement of all students, designs must be consistent with the PWCS Code of Behavior and adhere to these guidelines:
- Only the flat top of the official black cap may be decorated
- The academic gown cannot be decorated (other than approved academic honor decorations listed in the program).
- Decorations may not be excessively 3D, extend beyond or hang off the edges of the cap.
Expressly prohibited
- Obscene, offensive, profane, vulgar, or hateful language/images
- References to alcohol, controlled substances, drugs, gangs, tobacco, sexual activity, violence, weapons, or encouraging illegal activity/disruptive behavior
- Designs diminishing or slandering any individual or institution, the school/PWCS, any faculty or staff member, and/or any student
Caps will be inspected in advance of the ceremony and removed if deemed inappropriate. The administration of Freedom High School reserves the right to prohibit any design at any time; judgment on the appropriateness of design is at the sole discretion of the school administration.
Failure to adhere to these rules for graduation cap decoration or instructions from Freedom High School and/or EagleBank Arena event staff could result in discipline up to and including a student’s removal from commencement exercises.
Here are some ideas for appropriate things to include on your cap to get you started:
- Thanks to my parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends!
- Recognize the college or technical school you will be attending!
- Celebrate your graduation year!
- Represent the branch of the military they will be joining!
- Share the career field you will begin working in
- Share your extracurricular passions (music, art, sports, etc.)
- Display something that positively represents your cultural heritage.