HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION CEREMONY

A parent’s consent is required as they are the ones who are conferring this honor. Participants will need to complete Graduation registration, which includes the registration fee, no later than April 5, 2024.

Friday, May 10, 2024
7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
(Graduates must arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. for sign-in and rehearsal.)

Calvary Chapel on the Biola University campus
13800 Biola Ave.
La Mirada, CA 90639

Our desire is to provide a beautiful and formal event. We strive to keep costs as reasonable as possible, and to keep the event manageable as well. Toward this end, graduates must use the cap and gown provided.

While CHEA does not bestow honor cords, graduates are allowed to wear these as well as any other honor recognition they would like. While we will not be verbally recognizing these accomplishments, you may provide this information for your graduate’s page in the program. Graduates may also wear elegant leis, corsages, or graduation stoles. Since this is a formal occasion, we do ask that the caps not be decorated and that distracting or overly embellished accessories not be worn during the ceremony. CHEA reserves the right to make the final call on what graduates may wear for the ceremony.

Since CHEA is not a school, we do not issue diplomas. We will be presenting congratulatory certificates in a diploma cover. Parents can then, on their own, create or order an official diploma for their own school (or get from their PSP) to put in the provided cover.

The graduation program will include the full name, photo of, favorite/life Bible verse, and information about each student. Participants will provide one portrait photo in high quality digital jpg format. Details for how and where to send photos will be sent to all graduation participants after they register. Each student will be able to submit a 100 – 150 word essay, including any or all of the following: thanks to parents, thoughts on their homeschool experience, what their next steps are, etc., as well a favorite Bible verse (please include Bible version). We will also provide questions for the graduate to answer that will be used in preparing the personal page in the program. All information must be completed and submitted no later than April 8, 2024.

CHEA reserves the right to edit graduates responses and essays for any reason (i.e. length, content, clarity, grammar, etc.).

Yes. Each student will provide four photos for inclusion in the slideshow:

• A recent head-and-shoulders portrait of the student
• Hobby photo – a picture of the student doing something they love (i.e. dance, sports, music, robotics, scouts, etc.)
• Baby photo – younger than two years old; please no naked baby photos
• Family photo – student with family

When selecting photos, please make sure all subjects are modestly clothed, i.e., no swimwear, cleavage, or shirtless males. Please make sure photos are high resolution. All photos must be submitted no later than April 8, 2024.

Photos that do not comply with stated regulations will not be included. Families will be given the opportunity to submit a replacement photo, as long as time allows.

Each graduate is entitled to 15 tickets, by request. On the registration form, families will tell us how many tickets are needed. If graduates need more than 15 tickets, we will try our best to accommodate the request, but this will depend on the total number of tickets requested by all participants. Requests for more than 15 tickets will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, based upon the date we receive registration. All tickets will be available to be picked up when the graduate checks in on Friday at 5:00 p.m. Please note that the event will be open to all CHEA Convention attendees, but priority seating will be available to guests with tickets.

Graduating seniors do not need tickets; however, parents and other guests do. Again, if 15 tickets will not be enough for a graduate’s family and friends who would like to celebrate with them by attending the ceremony, register early and request the number of tickets that you need. All tickets will be available to be picked up when the graduate checks in on Friday at 5:00 p.m.

This is a formal ceremony and parents will be on stage to confer the certificate. We ask they abide by these suggested dress code guidelines:

• Ladies should wear a dress or nice pants and a blouse.
• Men should wear a dress shirt, tie, and nice slacks.
• Please, no jeans, shorts, or flip-flops.

While CHEA’s Parenting & Homeschool Conference is taking place at the same time, the High School Graduation Ceremony is a separate event. Other than the opportunity to browse in the Exhibit Hall, a separate registration will be required to attend any other part of the convention.

There are many great restaurants in La Mirada, but they can be crowded on Friday night. We suggest that if graduates plan to have dinner with guests after the ceremony, reservations be made in advance. A list of nearby restaurants is available here.