NHS Seniors and Parents,
Our entire school community is excited about the upcoming graduation ceremony for our Class of 2026. This letter contains important dates and times for graduation rehearsal and ceremony, the required dress code for graduating seniors and standards of conduct during graduation.
Mandatory Graduation Rehearsal -- There will be a walk-through rehearsal at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center at the University of Florida on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Do not be late. There will be a bus provided for any students that need transportation.
Graduation Ceremony -- Monday, June 1, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center at the University of Florida. Families and graduates may park in the O'Connell Center parking area; doors for guests will open at 6:00 p.m. At this time there are no restrictions on guest invites. Family and guests please enter through the main entrance (Gate 1). Seniors should arrive at graduation no later than 6:00 p.m. Graduates will enter the facility through Gate 4 and will head downstairs to Orange Room (Room 1450).
Male students are expected to wear the following clothes under their gown:
Dress shoes and socks (no tennis shoes or flip flops)
Dark dress slacks (no denim jeans, shorts or cut-offs)
White dress shirt with a collar and tie
Female students are expected to wear the following clothes under their gown:
Dress shoes (no stiletto heels, tennis shoes or flip flops)
Knee length skirts, dresses or dress pants and blouse (no denim jeans, shorts or cut offs)
No purses or hand-held flowers
Graduates are not permitted to decorate or include writing on their graduation caps, or alter their graduation gown in any way. Graduates will wear a Graduate Medallion provided, and ONLY stoles/cords that are provided by NHS. No other decorative stoles or sashes of any kind shall be worn during the ceremony. Student cell phones must be silenced once they have officially lined up for the ceremony.
Caps and Gowns will be distributed on Thursday, May 21st, at Newberry High School after the laptop/textbook returns in the auditorium. You must return all textbooks and laptops and be cleared from the debt list in order to receive your cap and gown.
IMPORTANT: After the graduation ceremony is completed, Seniors will return to the Orange Room (Room 1450) to receive their diplomas. Seniors will then then exit the building to meet up with family and friends to celebrate and take photos outside! Seniors who are placed on the debt list after receipt of their cap and gown on May 21st will need to clear their debt or they will not receive their diploma.
High school graduation is an exciting time in the life of a young adult and his/her family. We are requesting that all members of the audience help keep the tone of the graduation ceremony orderly and dignified. Balloons, large bouquets of flowers, signs, and noise makers including air horns and whistles are prohibited from the O'Connell Center. It is extremely important that all parents and friends can hear the name of their special graduate. We appreciate your help in ensuring the program is respectful and enjoyed by all.
Sincerely,
Jill Atchley, Principal
NEWBERRY HIGH SCHOOL MANDATORY GRADUATION REHEARSAL INFORMATION
Graduation Rehearsal will be on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the University of Florida, Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Please be on time as we need everyone at rehearsal who is going to walk. A bus will be at Newberry High School at 9:00 a.m. for any students who need transportation. IF YOU ARE NOT AT REHEARSAL, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. Please contact the NHS Front Office with any questions or concerns.
Graduation rehearsal takes place during University of Florida business hours and normal campus decal restrictions will be in place. Parking accommodations have been made specifically for those attending graduation rehearsal. Anyone attending graduation rehearsal should park on Flavet Field. This is the grass field located south of the O'Connell Center on Woodlawn Drive. There will be parking attendants at the field to direct you where to park. After parking, you will enter the O'Connell Center through Gate 3 (the red star on the map). You will need to remove your vehicle from the field following the rehearsal.
