Graduation 2017
The culmination of twelve years of education is a special time in the life of students, parents and
staff. We recognize this as an important passage and an occasion to be marked with formal
ceremonies in the morning, followed by a gala banquet and dance in the evening. Western
Canada High School 2017 graduation will take place on Saturday, May 27th.
Participation
To be eligible to take part in the graduation ceremonies and the banquet/dance, grade 12
students must be registered in a program of courses that will enable them to complete their
graduation requirements by the end of June 2017. Students who do not have the possibility of
completing these courses, or who leave school during the year without completing the
requirements, will not be eligible to participate in the graduation activities.
The Graduation List
A graduation list will be posted across the hall from the Guidance Office on Monday, March 20,
2017. Students are asked to check for errors or omissions and report them to the Guidance
Secretary, in the Counselling Office by March 22, 2017 (Before leaving for Spring Break).
Students should not assume they meet the requirements to participate in the graduation
activities simply because they are registered in grade 12. The completed list will be the basis for
the ticket distribution, program information and the grad composite.
Things of which you need to be aware:
1.
Only those students who have earned the minimum 100 credits and fulfilled the
requirements for a High School Diploma by June, 2017 will be eligible to participate
in the Graduation Ceremonies and Banquet/Dance.
2.
The minimum requirements for receiving an Alberta High School Diploma are:
• ELA 30-1 or 30-2
• Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2
• 10 credits in Science
•
•
•
•
•
Math 20-1, 20-2 or 20-3
Physical Education 10 (3 credits)
Career and Life Management (3 credits)
10 credits in any combination from Career and Technology Studies, Fine Arts,
Second Languages, or PE 20 or 30
10 credits in 30 level courses in addition to ELA 30-1 or 30-2 and Social Studies
30-1 or 30-2.
Closing Ceremonies
 Students will attend the graduation rehearsal to be held on Wednesday May 24, 2017.
This rehearsal will take place during Period 2 (10:30 -11:50). At this rehearsal, gowns
and stoles will be distributed; the procedures for Closing Exercises will be discussed,
and a map of the parking lots at Stampede Park will be distributed. It is compulsory
that all students attend this rehearsal.
 Closing Ceremony is at Calgary Stampede Park – in the Stampede Corral on the
morning of Saturday, May 27, 2017.
 Ceremony will begin at 8:45 am sharp and will conclude by 12:00 pm. Grads must
arrive at the Stampede Corral 8:00 - 8:15 a.m. to pick up their nametag and then line up.
 A photographer will be booked to take a photo of graduands as they receive their
diplomas. This is a complimentary photo given to each graduand from Lifetouch.
Guests will not be allowed to take photos during the exercises but may do so before the
Closing Ceremony.
Grads are required to register the names of their guests to the ceremony online. A
separate more detailed set of instructions on ceremony passes will be published in April.
The website to register your guests is:
https://wchs.inviteright.com/closingceremony2017
Parking rates are TBA. An additional TBA fee at that gate will provide 1 reentry privilege for the
day. This is recommended for guests returning for the Banquet & Dance. Tickets can be
purchased at the gate.
 All grads and guests are expected to stay for the entire ceremony.
 All grads are expected to return their rental gown immediately after the ceremonies.
Family photographs should be done prior to the event.
Direct in person questions regarding the Grad2017 Ceremony to Mrs. Ellchuk or email her at
[email protected]
Banquet and Dance
The formal banquet and dance will take place in Hall E at the Bank of Montreal Centre on the
Stampede Grounds the evening of Saturday, May 27, 2017. Per ticket cost is $100
Reception
5:30 pm
Program Start:
6:30 pm (Hall doors closed to entry until program is complete)
Dinner Buffet
7:00 pm
Dance
8:30 - 10:30 pm (Please schedule pickups no earlier than 9:15)
You must complete THREE steps in order to ensure a place at the Graduation Banquet and
Dance:
Step 1: Grad List
 Only students on the graduation list, and with no outstanding fees, are eligible to
purchase banquet tickets. If you attempt to purchase tickets online and you are restricted
from purchasing tickets – then check the grad list and visit the business office.
Step 2: Table Planning

Each graduand will have the opportunity to purchase three Banquet and Dance tickets –
one ticket is for the graduand the other two are for their adult guests or date. Children
under age 12 are asked to remain home.

If you are on the grad list and require more than three tickets, please email Mr. Smith
your extra ticket requests at [email protected]. A request does NOT guarantee you
extra tickets. It only acknowledges a request. ONLY submit extra ticket requests
between April 3 to April 28, 2017.

Students are asked to arrange the seating for themselves and their adult guests/date.
Plan FULL TABLES so there are no empty seats.
 When requesting extra tickets please bear in mind that tables seat eight.
 In early April, a venue seating map will be posted. This will facilitate table selection.
GROUP CAPTAIN
 All guests within the same party designate one student as a GROUP CAPTAIN
(GC). This GC must be a valid graduating student - not a guest or parent.
 People with the same Group Captain will be seated at the same table if the group
is less than 8. If group exceeds 8 - extra guests will be at adjacent tables.
 Every member of your dinner party will assign themselves this GROUP
CAPTAIN (GC) when asked to do so during the online ticket purchase process.
 Please communicate the name of your GROUP CAPTAIN to everyone in your
dinner party BEFORE they go online to purchase their tickets.
 Please note that GROUP CAPTAINS are NOT responsible for purchasing
everyone’s ticket. Every graduate logs on to purchase their own and their guests'
tickets.
 If you are not seated with a larger group of multiple students and their
associated guests - please list the graduating student as the GC.
Step 3: Purchase your tickets online (see dates and time below)

There will be a 24 hour advanced purchase and seat selection. This is
ONLY for students who have organised a full table of 8 or a larger group that is a
multiple of 8. All guests in your group need to purchase and seat themselves during
this 24 hour advanced ticket purchase. There should be no empty spots at the table by
end of advanced sale period. If this can’t be done – all party members need too to wait.
24 HR ADVANCED SALE (FULL TABLES (multiples of 8) ONLY):
FROM: Monday, May 1 (9AM)
TO: Tuesday May 2 (9 AM)
REGULAR SALE (GROUPS LESS THAN OR NOT A MULTIPLE OF 8):
FROM: Tuesday, May 2 (9 AM)
TO: Friday, May 5 (3PM)
 To purchase your tickets you need:
o Student Number
o Valid email address
o Names of all guests
o The guests' preferred meals (Choices are: Regular, Vegetarian/Vegan or Allergy)
o Group Captain (GC) (Explained Above)
o Valid MasterCard, Visa or Debit card
o Link to purchase tickets is: https://wchs.inviteright.com/grad2017
o The week prior to grad, organisers send seating confirmations and e-tickets to
the email used in the registration process. Print and distribute e-tickets to your
guests. E-tickets have your finalised table number.
IMPORTANT:
o TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
o BMO Centre Security searches all bags of students and patrons.
o Students may not come and go from the banquet hall during the event.
o The Grad Banquet and Dance is a non-smoking and non-alcoholic event - for
ALL guests. Any person coming to the event with or under the influence of
alcohol will not be allowed entry.
Direct in person questions regarding the Grad2017 BANQUET and DANCE to Mr. Smith or email him
at [email protected]