Graduation will begin 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 29 at the First United Bank Center. Seniors need to arrive early to line up by 6:45 p.m.

Seniors are required to wear nice clothes under their gown, along with cords, medals and mortar board with the tassel hanging on the right. If they intend to walk, seniors must participate in the mandatory graduation practice 8:30 a.m. Friday. Senior girls should not wear dresses which extend beyond the end of the gown and should avoid flip flops, converse tennis shoes as well as heels which might get caught in the holes on the stairs.

“It is a very public ceremony,” Principal Tim Gilliland said. “The First United Bank Center holds about 5,000 people, and it will be packed. We do expect our seniors to be on best behavior, but we want them to enjoy the ceremony because it is for them. We recognize the veterans during the ceremony, and we also recognize our graduates who are joining the military. It’s one of my favorite graduations that I have ever been a part of.”

Gilliland said they try to recognize the seniors as much as possible.

“It’s a great night,” Gilliland said. “I invite everyone to come out and see our graduates together for one last time, and celebrate their accomplishments.”

After graduation, seniors are invited to attend the senior all-night party starting at 10:30 p.m. in the CHS commons. The doors will be close at 11:00 p.m. and the event will end after the gift giveaway at 3 a.m. Seniors will check in when they arrive and then check out when they leave.

“You can leave before that but you are not eligible for prizes,” class sponsor Lee Stafford said. “There are great prizes: TVs, IPads, mini fridges, Xboxes, cash gift cards and restaurant gift cards. Every senior that shows up is at least going to leave with a $25 gift card.”

Seniors will be able to participate in many activities including a hypnotist show and casino games.

“There will be monopoly money, but there will be prizes for how well you do or how poorly you do,” Stafford said. “There will also be karaoke and a cash cube where you go in and money is flying all over you and you grab the money as much as you can.”

Stafford encourages all seniors to attend.

“This is one last chance to spend time with your classmates,” Stafford said. ”It’s a great opportunity to bond before you go on to your next adventure in life.”