Class of 2015 Graduation Ceremony Information
The Commencement Ceremony will be held at ASU Wells Fargo Arena on the campus of
Arizona State University on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 7:30 pm.
Baccalaureate and Commencement are both special occasions that are intended to celebrate the achievements of
our Desert Ridge High School seniors. Both ceremonies are planned as formal events with specific expectations
for student dress and behavior. Not only are these events important to our graduates, but also to their families.
We are confident that students and parents alike will find both of these celebrations to be first-rate events.
Baccalaureate:
Baccalaureate is an inspirational ceremony that has proven to be very meaningful to our graduates. Although the
ceremony is optional, students are encouraged to attend and experience this uplifting celebration. It will be held
on Sunday, May 17, 2015, at 3:00 pm in the Desert Ridge High School Auditorium. Students who plan to
participate need to report to the cafeteria by 2:30pm. Students should wear their cap and gown.
Graduation:
Rehearsal for graduation will be held in the DRHS Auditorium on Monday, May 4, 2015, during 3 rd period
(9:30 am – 10:30 am). Rehearsal is mandatory! If you are not at rehearsal, you may not participate in the
ceremony on May 21. Students who have a conflict and cannot attend graduation rehearsal, must get prior
approval from Assistant Principal, Jim Lavin or his Secretary, Mrs. Weis
There is currently no limit to the number of guests you may bring to the ceremony.
All seating is first come, first served.
Dressing for the Day (Yes – Graduation)
 Boys – dress slacks and a collared shirt (tie not required, but recommended), dress shoes and socks.
Shorts, sneakers, flip-flops, etc. will not be allowed
 Girls – dress, or skirt/dress slacks with blouse, dress shoes. Shorts, sneakers, flip-flops, etc. will not be
allowed
 Mortarboards (Caps) may NOT be altered in any way. Only approved DRHS tassels (No Bling) will be
allowed on mortarboards (no other pins, insignia, markings, etc.)
 All students should have a black gown, a mortarboard of the same color, a medallion, and a tassel.
Students who are graduating with honors (have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or better during their
4 years of high school) will be given a gold tassel (after they arrive at ASU) to wear at graduation to
acknowledge this achievement.
 It is recommended that students drink plenty of water prior to arriving at Wells Fargo Arena to prevent
dehydration.
 Students will not be allowed to carry any items into ASU Wells Fargo Arena, and there is no place to store
items, so leave purses, cameras, cell phones, keys and other personal items with your parents / family /
friends.
 Security at Wells Fargo will be conducting “searches” of all students and adults entering the facility as
they would for a regular ASU sponsored event.
 Line leaders also reserve the right to check students for contraband (items that are not allowed on the
floor) prior to leaving the staging area. There are no secure places to keep items, so confiscated items may
or may not be available for return. Just don’t bring anything and you won’t have to worry about it.
 Any student who appears to be under the influence of a controlled substance will not be allowed to
participate in the ceremony.
Arrival, Line Up, Processional
 Students will enter through the WEST entrance of ASU Wells Fargo Arena. You will see a large circle
with the number 5 in it. Turn to your right and find your row number and side. (Row numbers and North
or South will be posted)
 Students will line up in sections 2-5 (see seating assignment list for the row number and the name of your
line leader to which you must report.)
 The processional starts promptly at 7:20 pm … if you are not in line, we will not wait.
 Students will be led from the staging area, out the south door, around the outside of the arena and in the
WEST end tunnel onto the arena floor.
Recessional and Meeting your Family
 We will have a formal recession out of the arena.
 Students will exit the arena starting with the back row and working towards the front of the arena.
 Students will exit through the WEST tunnel, and are encouraged to meet with their family on the SOUTH
side of Wells Fargo Arena (this is a much larger area and does not lead to a parking lot)
 Family and friends will NOT be allowed on the floor of the Arena at any time.
Wells Fargo Special Services
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Lost and Found is located in room 116
First Aid Station will be located in section #15
Handicapped seating is available on the North side of the arena
Faculty / Staff seating has been reserved in Section E
Graduation Picture
GradImages is the official photographer for graduation. Each graduate will be photographed as s/he receives
her/his diploma. Proofs of those pictures will be available for viewing online, 48 hours after the ceremony at
www.gradimages.com. You can receive a discount on your future purchase if you go to the website and preregister your information. Just click on the Pre-Event Registration tab.
Video & DVDs
Great Video Productions will be taking video of the graduation ceremony. They will be handing out information
and order forms as you enter ASU Wells Fargo Arena.
Message from ASU Wells Fargo
High School Graduation represents the culmination of a student’s academic achievement. It is a time of
celebration and reflection for students, family, friends, faculty and staff. It brings together a diverse community
to share the joy of accomplished goals.
There is currently no limit to the number of guests you may bring to the ceremony.
All seating is first come, first serve.
The doors to the Wells Fargo Arena open one hour prior to the graduation ceremony (6:30 PM for Desert
Ridge High School). Graduates enter through the West doors. Family and friends enter through the North,
East, or South doors. The ceremony will start promptly at 7:30 pm and will run approximately one and a half
hour. No tickets are required. The event is open to the public.
Graduation is a special event for all involved. Please show respect for everyone who has come to share in the
experience. Individuals who engage in inappropriate or disruptive behavior may be removed from the event.
Parent / Guest Guidelines
 Security at Wells Fargo will be conducting “searches” of all students and adults entering the facility as
they would for a regular ASU sponsored event. See “Message from Wells Fargo” for items that will and
won’t be allowed in the arena.
 Students will enter through the WEST entrance of Wells Fargo Arena. Guests will not be allowed to use
this entrance. Guests may use any of the three remaining entry points: NORTH, SOUTH, or EAST.
 Lost and Found is in room 116 near the West entrance and is manned by ASU staff at all times during the
event.
 Parents, family and friends will NOT be allowed on the floor at any time before, during or after the
ceremony. Students will exit through the WEST tunnel, and are encouraged to meet with their family on
the SOUTH side of Wells Fargo (this is a much larger area and does not lead to a parking lot)
Directions & Map to ASU Wells Fargo Arena
ASU Wells Fargo Arena
600 E. Veterans Way
Tempe, AZ 85281
Handicapped parking is available. ASU parking assistants will be available in Lot 59 to assist visitors.
Option 1:
 US 60 (Superstition Freeway) west to Loop 101 Northbound
 Take the Loop 101 Northbound to the Rio Salado Parkway exit
 Turn left on Rio Salado and proceed through Scottsdale Rd to Packard Drive
 Turn left on Packard Drive
 Lot #59 will be on your right. This lot has been reserved for DRHS graduation.
Option 2:
 US 60 (Superstition Freeway) west
 Exit on Rural Road and turn right
 Head north on Rural Road through University Drive
 Turn left on 6th Street and proceed to Packard Drive
 Turn right on Packard Drive
 Lot #59 will be on your left. This lot has been reserved for DRHS graduation.
Option 3:
Traffic is very congested around the arena; you may want to consider using the Valley Metro Light Rail System.
There are a variety of different stations in Mesa where you are able to board the light rail. The farthest East
station is the Sycamore Main Street Light Rail Station. There is a stop conveniently located by Wells Fargo
Arena, called: Veterans Way College Light Rail Station. A round-trip ticket costs approximately $4.00. Go to
www.valleymetro.org to see if the light rail may be an option for you.
The following items WILL be allowed in ASU Wells Fargo Arena:
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Flowers
Small purses (12x12x12 or smaller)
Clear zip-lock bags with food/snacks
Sealed water bottles (44oz. Maximum)
Small hand-held still cameras
Video Cameras
Binoculars with case
Fanny packs (subject to search)
Diaper bag (only if accompanied by a baby/infant)
Cell phones (please set to vibrate/manner mode)
Pagers (please set to vibrate/manner mode)
Small personal-size umbrellas
Small foldable strollers (must fit under the seat)
The following items WILL NOT be allowed in ASU Wells Fargo Arena:
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Air horns
Balloons (please leave them in the car or don’t bring them)
Coolers
Grocery/Brown bags
Tote/Duffle bags and Backpacks
Purses larger than 12x12x12
Poles
Thermos bottles
Glass bottles
Cans
Laser devices
Tripods
Golf Umbrellas
Guns, Knives, or weapons of any kind
Box cutters and Metal objects