Sir Winston Churchill High School Graduation 2025 

Grad Ceremony | Friday May 30, 2025 

  • Location: University of Calgary - Jack Simpson Gymnasium 
  • Time: Ceremony will begin at 8:30 am SHARP        
  • Parking: Pay parking lots available on the university campus   
  • Grads should arrive no later than 7:45am to ensure that they are lined up in alphabetical order by 8:15am. Grads must be wearing their grad gown/cap/tassel 
  • Grad gowns will be collected immediately after the closing of the graduation ceremony 

Graduation Quote: "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." – William Shakespeare  

Valedictorian:    Jesse Apagya-Mensah 

Readers of Graduating Students Names:            

  • Last names beginning with A – H Ms. Tobi Blackburn  
  • Last names beginning with I – O Mr. David Nickell 
  • Last names beginning with P – Z Ms. Barbara Giannoutsos  

Suggested Dress:        

  • For the ceremony, students will be wearing blue graduation gowns and blue caps with a gold 2025 tassel. Students MUST wear their gowns, caps, and tassels in order to cross the stage during the ceremony.         
  • The ceremony is a formal event; therefore, students should dress in semi-formal attire. As a result, you should NOT wear jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, flip-flops or hats. Consider wearing comfortable but professional footwear, as you will be walking up a ramp, across a stage and down some stairs.         
  • DO NOT bring purses, cell phones, bags or any other items that you need to carry.  

Graduation Rehearsal Assembly: 

  • Will be held on Monday May 26th – period 1 @ 8:50am – mandatory attendance 

 **It is important for students to attend this assembly, even if they have a spare during period 1, because there will be important information provided specific to the graduation ceremony    

Grad Gown, Cap, and Tassel Distribution:  

  • Will be held on Monday May 26th – 3:10pm in school cafeteria   
  • Grads will be asked to show their current school ID card in order to pick up their grad gowns/caps/tassels – driver’s licenses will NOT be allowed. If you do not have a current school ID, it is your responsibility to get another one from the business office at the cost of $5.00        
  • Students must pick up their gowns and caps by 4:00pm on this date         
  • Students are responsible for the care of the grad gown and cap once it has been issued         
  • The grad gown must be returned immediately after the ceremony has concluded at the U of C on May 30, 2025. At the end of the ceremony, students will be marshalled back to the gowning room where they will return their grad gown. The gowns will be returned back to Gaspard Gowns in Winnipeg after the ceremony.
  • If the gown is not returned at this time, the student will be responsible for paying the shipping charges to have the gown sent back to Winnipeg. These charges will also apply to any student who pick up a gown but do not attend the ceremony. If the gown is not returned or is lost, then the student will be charged for the cost of the grad gown.   

Pictures:  

Since students will have their gowns and caps a few days prior to the graduation ceremony, and will be able to take them home, we encourage the grads to take pictures with family and friends on these days prior to the ceremony because there will not be an opportunity after the ceremony.   

Lifetouch Pictures during the Ceremony: ·         

  • Two pictures will be taken of each graduand by Lifetouch         
  • Picture 1 – On stage:    As the graduand receives their certificate from Principal Rajan on the stage. 
  • Picture 2 – Off stage:     As the graduate walks off the stage, another picture will be taken.         
  • Parents will not be allowed to come onto the ceremony floor to take photos of their student.   

It is exciting to continue our partnership with the University of Calgary and to hold our graduation ceremony in the Jack Simpson Gymnasium. We are proud of our Churchill grads and we look forward to celebrating your academic achievement.   

Graduation Reception & Dance | Friday June 6, 2025 

  • Location:  Westin Hotel (downtown)    

The reception & dance will take place at the Westin Hotel (downtown) on the evening of June 6, 2025.  Tickets will be sold online only. This is a non-profit event. Churchill students, as well as all guests, will be required to purchase a ticket if they choose to attend the reception & dance. Only Churchill grads will have access to the online system, through their school student ID numbers. All guests must be approved by Administration. 

  • Time: 7:00pm – 12:00am (midnight) 

**There will be appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks available at the reception throughout the evening (this is included in the price of the tickets) 

  Purchasing Tickets: 

  • The first round of ticket sales will be for all graduating students to purchase ONE ticket if they wish to attend the reception & dance. Tickets will only be available online and will be on sale from Monday April 28th to Friday May 9th  
  • The second round of ticket sales will be available for graduating students to purchase an extra ticket for a guest. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis until tickets run out. Extra tickets will be on sale from Monday May 12th to Wednesday May 21st (unless they sell out beforehand) 
  • Tickets will be sold through PowerSchool using Rycor. More information will be sent out to families in April about the process to purchase tickets. 
  • Students are encouraged to purchase their tickets during the FIRST ROUND of sales to avoid disappointment. 

 Outstanding Fees: 

  • Only graduating students with NO OUTSTANDING FEES OR TEXTBOOKS are eligible to purchase reception tickets. If you attempt to purchase tickets online and are restricted from doing so, please visit the Business Office. 

 Important: 

  • Tickets are non-refundable and no tickets will be sold after the May 21st deadline 
  • Parking information will be shared at a later date 
  • The Grad Reception & Dance is a non-smoking and non-alcoholic event 
  • All bags and purses of SWC Grads and guests will be subject to a security check 
  • Students and guests will not be allowed to leave and re-enter the reception & dance. Once you leave you will not be allowed re-entry 
  • You MUST be on the guest list in order to gain entrance to the event 
  • Please have your ticket and school ID available when you arrive at the reception 
  • All guests must present photo ID 

Important Dates to Remember: 

  • Grad Gown Measurements 2025:

- Monday February 24th to Thursday February 27th @ lunch in Business Office

  • Grad Reception & Dance 2025 - Online Ticket Sales:

- Monday April 28th to Wednesday May 21st

  • Mandatory Grad Rehearsal 2025:

- Monday May 26th during period 1 in main gym (8:50am to 10:10am) 

  • Grad Gown/Cap/Tassel Distribution 2025:

- Monday May 26th at 3:10pm in the cafeteria – school ID required 

 

Graduation Ceremony 2025:

- Friday May 30th @ 8:30am at U of C Jack Simpson Gymnasium 

- Grads must be at U of C no later than 7:45am in grad gowns/caps/tassels 

Graduation Reception & Dance 2025:

- Friday June 6th at Westin Hotel (downtown) 

-  Doors open at 7:00pm

-  Event ends at 12:00am (midnight) 

 

Grad Committee 2025 Staff: