Senior Graduation & Yearbook Information

Graduation Information

ShowWare Center in Kent
June 11, 2025
12:00pm

Upcoming Important Dates to Know

• Friday, October 11th: Senior Meeting #1 during homeroom
• Tuesday, October 22nd: Jostens will be at Hazen accepting orders! If you are not able to make it during this time, please contact Zena Dodson in ASB to arrange dropping off your order packet. 
• Friday, October 25th: Senior Meeting #2 during homeroom
• Friday, March 28th: High School & Beyond Plan is due
• Friday, March 28th: Community Service Hours due

Senior Class Information
Your Senior Class Officers and Class Sponsors have been working hard to plan events to help raise money for prom. 
Review their presentation to learn more about these upcoming activities.

A Graduation Guide for Hazen High School Senior Class 2025

The following information pertaining to graduation and the many related activities and responsibilities has been prepared for your convenience. The final days of your secondary education will be interesting, busy, and important. You will be completing classwork and preparing for finals, not to mention a few of the numerous details connected with the conclusion of your high school career. The importance of all of this suggests a need for summarizing vital responsibilities and activities. 

The administration, faculty, secretaries, and custodians have given this event considerable thought and planning. Their wish for your final appearance as a student of Hazen High School is that the occasion will be one of which you, your parents, and your friends may be proud of.

Your cooperation in making this year's graduation ceremony a successful endeavor is appreciated.

Hazen Administration Team,
Craig Cooper - Principal
Kelly Jones - Assistant Principal
Dr. Stephanie Zikopoulos - Assistant Principal and Athletic Director
Nathan Meyer - Assistant Principal
Sheryl Mason - Senior Class Co-Advisor
Carol Coad - Senior Class Co-Advisor
Hayley Panerio - Senior Class Co-Advisor

Graduation Date and Time
Wednesday, June 11th, 2025, 12:00pm.
ShoWare Center, Kent, WA.

Requirements for Participation in Commencement Exercises

• In order to participate in Graduation Ceremonies, a student must have 26.00 or more credits, completed their Graduation Pathway Requirement, a completed High School and Beyond Plan, completed 20 or more hours of community service, and submitted their senior survey.
• A student must have been in attendance and completed at least one of the last two trimesters at Hazen, unless the student has been enrolled in the Running Start Program. 
• All credit retrieval course work, including the end-of-course exam, whether online or independent study, to be counted toward graduation, must be completed in order to count toward graduation. A grade must be received no later than 2:30PM on the Monday June 9th in order to count towards graduation credit.
• In 3rd trimester if you are in a Running Start class that is required for graduation, you must be able to show that you are currently passing the class by June 9th in order to participate in graduation rehearsal and the graduation ceremony.
• All fines, fees, lunch detentions, and obligations must be cleared prior to participation in the Graduation Ceremony.
• Each participating students MUST participate in the Graduation Ceremony rehearsal - no exceptions. 
• Each student who participates will purchase or rent the proper cap, gown, and stole as designated by the school administration, the class advisor, and the officers.
• Caps, gowns, stoles, and tassels will be worn in the proper manner as designated by the district, school administration and class advisors.
• Each student is expected to cooperate with school administration by participating fully in all parts of the Graduation Ceremony.
• Failure to comply with the above requirements will automatically forfeit a student's privilege of participation in the graduation ceremonies. 

Senior Countdown

Monday, March 3rd, 2025	Oliver M. Hazen Award Application goes live.
Wednesday, March 26th, 2025	Outstanding Seniors Board Meeting
Friday, March 28th, 2025	HSBPS- High School and Beyond Plans and Community Service Hours Due Participation in Commencement - if you are NOT planning to participate in the Commencement Ceremony, please report that fact to Ms. Umetsu in the Main Office by ASAP.
Friday, April 18th, 2025	Spirit of the Highlander Award Celebration
Monday, April 28th, 2025	Senior Ball tickets go on sale
Thursday, May 1st, 2025	Oliver M. Hazen Applications due Senior Questionnaire Due Student Speaker Applications due
Tuesday, May 14th, 2025	Scholarship information deadline for Graduation Program due to Mr. Nguyen in the Opportunity Center
Tuesday, May 14th, 2025	If you wish to purchase extra Graduation tickets, you will go to the ASB Office, purchase your tickets, and then bring your receipt to Ms. Umetsu in the Main Office. Students receive six (6) for free. Students will be allowed to purchase up to 10 extra tickets from May 15th to May 29th. After May 29th students will be allowed to purchase up to 10 more extra tickets.  Grad tickets will be capped to 20 extra tickets total.  Only students are allowed to purchase extra grad tickets. Teachers report to counselors if a student is at risk of failing a class needed for graduation. Graduation tickets will be put on hold for students who have not completed their HSBP, are failing classes, have not submitted community service hours, have an incomplete in Washington State History, or have not completed the Graduation Pathway requirements.  Extra tickets can still be purchased, but all the above needs to be addressed before tickets can be picked up. Start sending Ms. Umetsu emails for additional regalia requests for Mr. Cooper to approve.
Wednesday, May 28th, 2025	Commencement Tickets will begin to be distributed outside the Main Office during lunch and after school.  Remember that in order to receive your tickets: ALL fines have to be paid ALL detention hours must be cleared ALL Graduation Requirements have to be met If you do not pick up your tickets before end of day June 10th, we will assume you do not want them. Senior Awards Night 6pm Auditorium Deadline to sign up for the bus to the graduation ceremony
Friday, May 30th, 2025	Senior Assembly in the Gym
Monday, June 2nd, 2025	Chromebook Collection Opens for Seniors Chromebooks can be turned in as soon as the student no longer needs it for class.
Wednesday, June 4th, 2025	Last day to turn in regalia requests to Ms. Umetsu for Mr. Cooper to approve.
Friday, June 6th, 2025	Senior 4th and 5th period finals All remaining graduation requirements (i.e. WA State History, HYSB, Community Service, Credit Retrieval Class, BYU and other online courses etc.) must be complete.
Monday, June 9th, 2025	Senior 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period finals Senior Clearance will be in the Common starting at 11:45 am by last name: A-G 11:45- 12:45  H-M 12:45- 1:45 N-Z  1:45- 2:45 Graduation Clearance Sheet must be turned into the counselors by 3:30pm in the Commons. You will NOT participate in graduation if this form is not turned in on time.  Fines issued after ticket distribution must be cleared by the end of the day, June 9th.  If they are not, you will NOT participate in the graduation The Kitchen Manager goes home at 1:00 pm. If you DO NOT pay your lunch fines before 1:00 pm on this day YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN GRADUATION.
Tuesday, June 10th, 2025	Last Day for Seniors- Last Lesson & Graduation Rehearsal Report to the Auditorium at 8:00am. This is required for all seniors who will be participating in the Graduation Ceremony. Commencement Rehearsal will be in the Main Gym at 9:30 AM. This is required for all seniors who will participating in the Graduation Ceremony. Final instructions relative to commencement exercises will be issued at this time. Seniors planning to participate and receive their diploma at the ceremony MUST be present for this rehearsal. If you are absent from rehearsal you will NOT be permitted to participate in the ceremony. Once rehearsal is over, seniors will be released to the Senior BBQ
Wednesday, June 11th, 2025	Commencement Ceremony at the ShoWare Center in Kent 10:45 am - Report to rear entrance for searches 11:15 am - Report to dressing rooms 11:30 am - Roll check in the line-up area 11:45 am - Form processional lines in staging areas 11:55 am - Move the processional line to entrance 12:00 pm - Begin Ceremony
Thursday, June 12th, 2025 Friday, June 13th, 2025	Diploma pick-up!

Fines and other Obligations
All fines must be paid in full, detention hours cleared, High School and Beyond Plan completed, and students must be passing required courses before they can receive their graduation tickets, purchase additional tickets or PARTICIPATE IN THE GRADUATION CEREMONY.

Please check at home and return all books that are the property of the school district. It is your responsibility to makes sure you do not have any fines. Check for Athletics, ASB, Library, Cafeteria, and General Fines. Cafeteria fines must be paid in the Cafeteria and all other fines should be paid in the ASB Office. Fines may be paid after school and during lunches. 

You can email Ms. Marks if you need to check if you have lunch detentions to complete.  This also applies to Running Start students.  However, if your RS start schedule prevents you from attending the regularly scheduled lunch detention, you can set-up another time to serve your lunch detention with Ms. Marks.

Graduation with Honors
Seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher will receive gold honor cords for the commencement ceremony. Seniors who are in the top 7% of their class will wear blue distinct honor cords. 

Hazen Award Graduation Regalia
In addition to the honors cords, students who are selected as winners of the Oliver M. Hazen Award will receive a medallion and additional green stole to be worn during the graduation ceremony.  Students are also encouraged to wear any other cords, medals, such as the one awarded for the Seal of Biliteracy, pins, and stoles that are issued at the Senior Awards Night in May to the Graduation Ceremony. Finally, students are also allowed to wear any Spirit of the Highlander Medals and/or PUA (Pride-Unity-Achievement) pins collected over their high school career. 

Graduation Attire

• Do not wear your cap and gown when you arrive to commencement. All students will be searched by school staff and this helps the process go faster.  
• Please carry your gown, cap, tassel, and stole with you and dress in the area provided at the ShoWare Center.
• All students participating in the graduation ceremony are required to wear their gown, cap, tassel, and stole as directed by school administration.  
• Seniors will NOT be permitted to carry phones, bags, and purses during the ceremony. Please leave all personal items with parent/guardian/trusted guests.
  • If you have a medication or other health-related item that you need to keep on you during the ceremony, please check in with Ms. Jones ASAP so that a plan will be in place for the ceremony.
• To present a uniform, formal appearance, please observe the following during the ceremony:
  • No flowers or flashy jewelry should be worn on top of the gown, including flower, candy, and money leis.
  • During the ceremony all gowns must remain fully zipped. 
  • No sunglasses.
  • Students should wear business attire under their graduation gowns (i.e. suit, dress pants and button up shirt,  dress, slacks, or skirt and/or blouse.)
  • Make sure that you wear shoes that you are able to safely walk long distances in as well as up and down stairs.
  • Flip-flops and crocs will NOT be permitted.
  • Caps are to be worn straight on top of the head, with tassels on the left at the beginning of the ceremony.  NO DECORATIONS on the cap are allowed.  This is a district-wide rule.
  • Unless otherwise approved, the only additional regalia allowed to be worn during the ceremony are:
    • Spirit of the Highlander Award Medals
    • Oliver M. Hazen Award Medal
    • Seal of Biliteracy Medal
    • Oliver M. Hazen Stole
    • Purchased Gold Stole with or without date
    • PUA Pin(s)
    • Community Service Pin
    • Future Educator Cords 
    • Blue and White Honor Cords 
    • Gold Honor Cords
  • All other additional regalia not listed above must be approved prior to the ceremony and through the process described in the next section of the Grad Guide.

REMINDER: A few days before graduation, place your gown on a hanger and allow it to hang, and press with a warm (not hot) iron.

Unless it is a religious requirement, the only headgear allowed for the ceremony is your mortarboard (cap).

Cultural and Religious Regalia:

• The Renton School District will allow tribal regalia or items of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at the Hazen Graduation Ceremony. An adornment is something that's worn or attached to the cap and gown, not in place of them. Examples of adornment could include an eagle feather, pins, necklaces, cultural stoles, or tribal honor cords.
• Class of 2025 blue and yellow stoles should be visible and not significantly covered or obscured by other additional regalia.
• Students MUST get their regalia or items of cultural significance approved by Principal Cooper by June 4th, 2025.
• Students who arrive at the ceremony with regalia that has not been previously approved by the process outlined below will NOT be allowed to wear it in the ceremony.
• Students who do not get their regalia approved by this deadline will NOT be able to wear it at graduation.
• Examples that will NOT be allowed or approved:
  • political statements
  • photos
  • Eagle Scout regalia
  • anything that significantly covers the graduation gown
  • anything that would cause a disruption to the ceremony

Getting your regalia approved:

• Please send an email with a photo of the religious or cultural adornment(s) you would like to wear to graduation to Ms. Umetsu in the front office by June 4th, 2025.
• Ms. Umetsu will send it onto Principal Cooper. Once Principal Cooper approves or denies the regalia, Ms. Umetsu will send a follow-up email to you letting you know the decision. 

Special Instructions for Off-Campus Graduation-Students

• The Graduation Ceremony is a school-sponsored activity. Therefore, all District and Hazen HS rules/regulations/codes of conduct apply.
• Transportation to the ShoWare Center is the student's responsibility. However, if you cannot make graduation due to transportation, there can be transportation made available for students who need it. You MUST sign-up in the main office with Ms. Umetsu by June 1st, 2025. The bus will depart at 10:30am and return at approximately 2:30pm. There is no charge for this service.
• The ShoWare Center parking is free, but space is limited. There may be other parking lots in the area, but these lots do charge and may have limited spaces. Parking in the Regional Justice Center is not allowed and there is NO event parking allowed at Kent Station, Kent Commons, or in the North Park Neighborhood.
• Doors will open at 11:30 am and will close promptly at 12:00 pm to begin the ceremony. Guests who arrive late will not be allowed to enter until after the processional is completed. Please make sure your guests are aware of this. 
• The ShoWare Center specifically forbids balloons, bullhorns, silly string, and confetti.
• No food or beverages will be allowed.
• No alcohol, illegal substances, or smoking is allowed.

Please remember: We are guests at the ShoWare Center. Let's make sure that we are exemplary guests and demonstrate respect for the facility.

Scholarship Listing for the Graduation Program
Students who wish to have their scholarships listed in the Graduation Program need to complete the Senior Questionnaire and return it to Mr. Nguyen in the Opportunity Center by TBD. Any additional Scholarship information not included on the Senior Questionnaire needs to be communicated to Mr. Nguyen by TBD. Any Scholarship information submitted after this date will not be included in the program.

Diploma Distribution Instructions
Diplomas will NOT be distributed at the ShoWare Center. You may pick up your diploma up from the registrar’s office on the following dates and times in the Registrar’s Office:

• Thursday, June 12th,  and Friday, June 13th, at TBD

If you cannot come on either of the above dates and times please call the registrar's office to schedule a time to come pick up your diploma. 

Commencement Admission Tickets
Each graduate will receive six (6) tickets for free. Up to ten (10) extra tickets can be purchased starting May 14th, 2025 for $5 each. These tickets will be added to their original six (6) tickets and can be picked up when tickets are ready to be distributed. After May 28th, students may also purchase up to another additional ten (10) tickets. 

TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED BEGINNING MAY 28th OUTSIDE THE MAIN OFFICE DURING LUNCH AND AFTER SCHOOL. ALL FINES AND DETENTION HOURS MUST BE CLEARED PRIOR TO RECEIVING TICKETS. TICKETS WILL BE PLACED ON HOLD FOR ANY SENIOR THAT IS IN DANGER OF NOT GRADUATING. ONLY THE GRADUATING SENIOR IS ALLOWED TO PICK-UP THEIR GRADUATION TICKETS.  RUNNING START STUDENTS CAN PICK-UP THEIR TICKETS FROM THE MAIN OFFICE BETWEEN 7:00 AM- 3:00 PM.

Admission to the Commencement Ceremony  at the ShoWare Center will be by Hazen-issued tickets only. Doors will open at 11:30 am. Each person needs a ticket for admittance except for children under the age of two (2). Individuals with tickets not issued by Hazen will not be admitted. Lost tickets cannot be replaced, and no one except the members of the graduation class can be admitted without a ticket.

Guest Security at Admission
Guests are encouraged to arrive early to allow extra time to enter the facility. Guests should also only bring in necessary items to help expedite entry.

Security measures will include the following:

• Metal detector wands to be used at all points of entry.
• Backpacks are prohibited from entering the arena.
• Clear bags ONLY, may not be larger than 12"x12"x6" or 1 gallon Ziploc bags.
• Clutches no larger than 4.5"x6.5" are allowed.

For a full list of prohibited items at the ShoWare center, and to view the Code of Conduct policy, please visit the ShoWare Center's A-Z Guide.

Special Instructions for Off-Campus Graduation- Families and Guests

• The ShoWare Center parking is free, but space is limited. There may be other parking lots in the area, but these lots do charge and may have limited spaces. Parking in the Regional Justice Center is not allowed and there is NO event parking allowed at Kent Station, Kent Commons, or in the North Park Neighborhood.
• Doors will open at 11:30 am and will close promptly at 12:00 pm to begin the ceremony. Guests who arrive late will not be allowed to enter until after the processional is completed. Please make sure your guests are aware of this. 
• If you require an ASL interpreter, please see Ms. Umetsu in the Main Office by May 15th, 2025.
• In order to honor all graduates please note the following:
  • Every family looks forward to that moment when their graduate takes the stage to receive their diploma and wants to celebrate their accomplishment.  This part of the ceremony moves quickly- one graduate is crossing the stage as the next name is being announced. We ask that cheers and shout-outs are kept very short so that everyone’s names can be heard and every family is able to enjoy their student’s special moment. 
• The District has contracted with Grad Images to take photographs of each graduate as they receive their diploma. Orders can be placed online after graduation. To view images after the event, go to www.gradimages.com. Parents and guests will not be permitted to approach the arena barrier to take pictures.
• The ShoWare Center specifically forbids balloons, bullhorns, silly string, and confetti.
• No food or beverages will be allowed.
• No alcohol, illegal substances, or smoking is allowed.

Directions to ShoWare Center
625 West James Street, Kent, WA 98032

(253) 856-6777

Directions By Car:

• From Seattle, I-5 traveling south: Take exit 149 S. Kent/Des Moines Rd. Follow Kent/Des Moines Rd. as it becomes W. Willis St. Turn left onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James St. and ShoWare Center will be on your right.
• From Tacoma, I-5 traveling north: Take exit 149A S. Kent/Des Moines Rd. Follow Kent/Des Moines Rd. as it becomes W. Willis St. Turn left onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James St. and ShoWare Center will be on your right.
• From Bellevue/Renton, southbound on 167: Take the Willis St. exit. Turn left onto Willis St. and then turn left onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James St. and ShoWare Center will be on your right.
• From North Bend, westbound I-90 to Hwy 18: Follow HWY 18 to the Covington Exit. Turn right onto Kent-Kangley Rd. Follow Kent-Kangley Rd. and turn left onto SE 256th St. Continue down the hill which changes into W. Smith. Turn right onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James Street and ShoWare Center will be on your right.
• From Puyallup and Auburn, northbound on 167: Take the Willis St. exit. Turn right onto Willis St. and then turn left onto 4th Ave. From 4th Ave., turn left on W. James St. and ShoWare Center will be on your right.

HELPFUL TIP FOR MAJOR EVENTS:
From 4th Ave. turn left PRIOR to W. James St. on W. Smith St. to access south entrance to James Street Park & Ride. 

Parking at ShoWare Center
Free Parking Locations:

• 625 W. James Street Kent, WA 98032
• 902 W. James Street Kent, WA 98032
• 401 4th Ave N. Kent, WA 98032
• 320 Ramsay Way Kent, WA 98032

If You Have Any Questions
If you have any questions, or need anything please feel free to reach out to the senior class advisor - Ms. Mason, Ms. Coad, Ms. Panerio, or to Ms. Umetsu in the main office.