Graduation
Graduation will be tonight, May 31, at the Richland Area Community Center.
Please bring you chairs, decorations, enthusiasm and non-alcoholic beverages.
Dinner will be served after the program.
Graduates: Be at the gazebo at 6 pm for pictures!
Graduation/Senior Information:
Date: May 31, ceremony at 7pm. Graduates need to be at the determined location (*see below) by 6pm SHARP for pictures. We will also have KVCC's big Cougar Cruiser van to celebrate our Seniors. They will play some music, hand out senior gifts, and wish them "Congratulations" and happy summer.
What should I bring to graduation?: Each family will need to provide a canopy for their guests to sit under and around. We have a limited amount of canopies to loan. If you need a canopy, WE NEED TO KNOW ASAP. You will need chairs for you and your guests. There is no limit to the number of guests each graduate may invite. Canopies should be set up on Wednesday afternoon (May 31), from 3:00-5:00. Each family will receive one spot, unless two are requested, for their area. Spots are given on a first-come-first-served basis. If you are unable to set up your canopy during that time, just reach out to one of the staff and we will be glad to help out. Once your canopy is set up, you may leave it until the ceremony. Students will receive one banner on May 31 (when they set up their canopy with their senior picture on it) and are expected to hang their banner from their canopy (we will have extra masking tape). Canopies do not have to be decorated but can be.
Can I purchase invitations?: Yes! We have invitations at school that you can purchase for .50 each (10 for $5.00). You can purchase as many as you like. See attachment for an example.
*Location: Richland Area Community Center, 9400 E CD Ave, Richland, MI 49083. If inclement weather is expected, the ceremony will be moved to the GL Center for the Performing Arts at the HS. Final determination will be made May 29th 7pm. Information will be posted on our website Graduation information
Is there food at graduation?: Yes! We have a meal catered for our families and guests. We need a headcount per grad by May 19th (there is a vegetarian option if requested) to Ms. McQueen. Food will be served after the ceremony.
To check out last years graduation and slideshows from previous years: Graduation and other stuff
What happens if my student doesn't finish all classes before graduation? Can he/she still walk at graduation and finish in summer school? No. All graduation requirements MUST be completed by noon on May 31. Any class(es) not finished will be restarted in the fall of 2023 and the student will graduate the following year. Almost everyone has finished...I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone will be done in time as the programs are already being worked on, even as I type.
Will someone be taking pictures at the ceremony?: Yes! We hire a professional photographer to take individual pictures of each graduate before the ceremony and also when receiving his/her diploma. Pictures are available through a link that is sent. The photographer also takes many family and candid pictures that are available at no cost. All pictures taken that evening ARE FREE!
I heard that there is a slide show. What's up with that? The slide show is ready! The link will be sent next week.
Graduation information:
Parents, if your child does not receive my emails, please share the below information:
June 1, Graduation at Richland Area Community Center, 7:00 pm.
Caps, gowns, tassels and banners are ready for pickup.
Each student will need to bring a canopy and chairs for their family as the ceremony will be outside.
Canopy can be decorated. Bring your own tape. Canopies can be set up from 3:30-6:00 (all canopies need to be ready by 6:00). We will be sharing space with the Farmers' Market and can use the grass between Living Hope Church to park if there is not enough space for parking.
There is no limit to the number of guests that can attend. No tickets needed.
We will have refreshments after the ceremony (Catering by GMC: there will be a vegetarian option available for those who pre ordered.) This is free for everyone.
FAMILIES CANNOT DRIVE ONTO THE FIELD. YOU MUST CARRY YOUR ITEMS TO YOUR SPOT. SPOTS ARE MARKED BUT ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVED.
GRADUATES NEED TO MEET AT THE GAZEBO AT THE RACC AT BY 6PM FOR PICTURES
IF FAMILIES WOULD LIKE TO HAVE TWO SPOTS WITH TWO CANOPIES PLEASE LET ME KNOW AHEAD OF TIME AS EACH GRADUATE WILL HAVE THEIR OWN AREA IN THE FIELD.
I have attached a short video to help you get an idea of what the field looks like as it's getting set up.
Upcoming Graduates
2021 graduation slideshow
Graduation Pictures are available at this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lHh5CrrHwygwjbqWKyYEvP7kdlR7mJ7X?usp=sharing
Thank you so much to Joby Purucker for providing us with such wonderful photos
gateway 2021
Can't attend graduation in person? Still want to join in on the fun?
Join us virtually using this link:
Just a reminder that all setup is June 2nd from 3:30-5:00. Everyone should bring their own chairs: we will not have any extra.
All graduates should have their canopies ready by 5:00 (banners hung and any decorations completed).
Graduates should be at the RACC by 6:00 for pictures with their caps and gowns on. Caps cannot be decorated.
We will have a photographer taking group and individual pictures.
Food tickets will be handed out upon arrival and then turned in after the ceremony for individual picnic meals.
Please help us clean up after the event.
May 13, 2020
Graduates and Families,
It’s almost time for graduation!!!
When: Wednesday June 2nd and the ceremony starts at 7pm. But you need to be there by 6pm
Where: Richland Area Community Center (RACC)-9400 East CD Ave, Richland MI
Who: Graduates and their families. Community members and friends of Gateway.
What: You will need your cap, gown, tassel and appropriate attire for under your gown. We do not require that you dress up but your clothes must follow GL district policy guidelines. You may want to watch what shoes you wear, because we will be walking on grass. Girls you may want to avoid very high heels.
There is no limit to the number of people that can attend, however to ensure we have enough food/supplies we need a headcount by May 17th. Each person will receive a ticket upon arrival which will be turned in for a picnic meal. You will have an option for a meatless entree, but we will need to know by May 17 who would like to request one. Please RSVP to lmcqueen@gulllakecs.org your headcount and meal option: meat or meatless.
Graduates need to be at the site at 6pm on the night of graduation. We will be doing a short run through at that time and taking pictures.
Dress Code: Please follow guidelines for school dress code. We do not require you to dress up but we want you to look nice and be comfortable. That being said, you can dress up, but girls, it might be difficult for you if you wear very high heels as you will be walking in grass and heels may sink in. Unfortunately, caps cannot be decorated, per district policy.
You can decorate your canopy area with lights/balloons, etc. All set up must happen on the day of the event, by 5:00. You may arrive at 3:30-5:00 to set up your canopy and chairs. (The RACC or Gateway is not responsible for items left unattended.) Incase of rain, please bring an umbrella: there will be no rain date.
Please make sure you have something to sit on.
You may need bug spray/sunscreen.
No animals allowed.
Please be prepared to assist with cleanup after the ceremony.
We will follow social distance guidelines as determined by the State of MI. As of today, we will have to wear masks.
You may pick up your cap and gowns starting today and banner on Monday May 17th. The banner is a rectangle shaped hanging senior picture that should be displayed on each canopy. There are no holes in the banner so you should bring tape to help hang it. The banner (along with cap, gown, and tassel is yours to keep). Your payment of $55 will be collected at the time of item pickup, unless you have already paid.
If you need assistance with this payment please contact one of us and we can help out.
BE WATCHING FOR OUR GATEWAY GRADUATE VIDEO...I WILL BE SENDING SOMETIME WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS
If you have any questions, please let me know. So excited to be thinking about graduation!!! We have 13.5 school days (students must be done by noon on June 2 to walk).
May 7, 2021
Graduation is coming!! Students are getting excited and we are pleased to announce we have a venue: The Richland Area Community Center 9400 E CD Ave Richland ( http://www.richlandareacc.
There is a soccer field behind/next to the building where we will be able to set up canopies and chairs. More details will come in the future, as always, keep in mind that things may change if the Governor limits gatherings.
I may ask students to give me a rough number of anticipated family/friends they wish to invite just so I have an estimate of how many people to expect. It is my hope that we do not have to limit our guest numbers.
I will be ordering invitations and you can purchase them from me. The cost is 10 for $5. They come with an envelope.
We also would like 1-2 baby pictures and 1-2 senior pictures (senior pictures do not have to be professionally taken...just a nice picture taken sometime during the senior year). We do have a photographer who donates her services to those who would like pictures done at no cost. See Mrs. Walker for details. I NEED SENIOR PICTURES ASAP AS I NEED TO ORDER SOMETHING TO BE USED FOR GRADUATION.
We have scholarships available!!!
Scholarship applications are due by April 16th.
Ashlynn Schwartz, recipient of The Lambert Family Scholarship
Recipient of the Beth Palmatier Gateway Scholarship, Kailob Chartrand.
The GLCS Foundation presents the Blair Holden Memorial Scholarships to Emma Cione and Kailob Chartrand.
