As the year starts to come to an end seniors have made it to the awaited senior activities period. There are tons of events planned and coming up for Highlander senior students. All the hard work and studying has paid off because they finally get to celebrate their dedication. These events require students to follow the senior contract because if not they will lose the privilege of attending any other highlander related events including graduation. Seniors needed to complete the required exit survey on Naviance, so you can receive your cap and gown. The link can be found in the senior newsletter. Make sure to pay off all debts and fines to both the library and ASB office. If not, you will not be allowed to receive graduation tickets, cap and gown, and more. Finally, seniors must return their laptop and all books to the library by May 30. 

Many students have been waiting years to experience prom, and enjoy dancing with their peers. Prom tickets have been on sale on Go Fan since April 19, and will continue to be sold until May 10. Tickets cost $125 with ASB and $130 for those without it. However, if you plan on bringing a guest you must get the permission slip from the ASB office or print it out. This paper requires the signature of an administrator from the school the student attends, so don’t miss out due to turning it in late. The due date for this form is May 5. The actual event itself will be held on May 20 at The Sheraton Universal in Los Angeles. The theme for this year is Roaring 20s, and it will take place from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Dinner will be served at around 7:30 and includes fire roasted chicken, caesar salad, vegetarian pasta, vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls, and finally dessert.

Additionally, Honest Light Photography will be there taking professional photos. Each student attending will receive a 5×7 photo and four wallet sized photos. When you go to pick up your cap and gown on May 31, these photos will be available for pick up as well. Students that want more photos can also order them with the form found on the senior newsletter. Other details and information on parking will be available on the week of May 15. If you want to order a corsage there is a flyer and link on the newsletter to order from Aloha Flowers on East Los Angeles Avenue near Harbour Freight. You can choose delivery or pick up and they have lots of great options. Don’t forget to vote for prom queen and king as well! 

Other than prom, there are plenty of other events and dates for seniors to take a note of. May 1-19 is AP and IB testing for those who have signed up and paid to take a test. In the middle of this stressful time students will be able to catch a break at Grad Night on May 12. Senior Grace Hoolihan said, “Out of all the events I am most excited for Grad Night.” Tickets for Disney California Adventure have unfortunately all sold out. The event starts at 9 p.m. and seniors will need to leave the park by 2 a.m. Seniors must go to the MPR at 5 p.m. for bag checks and grouping. After this, the buses will load around 6 p.m. and come back to Royal around 3:30 a.m. Disney has special policies and procedures for Grad Night, so make sure to follow dress code and the other rules. To find these rules go to the senior newsletter and click the link under the description of the event.

On May 19 there will be a Senior Pep Rally in the gym to celebrate the accomplishments of students. Another fun and upcoming event is the Senior Sunset and Ice Cream Social on May 25. Seniors will have access to their yearbooks on the ASB patio at 6 p.m. After the sun sets a movie will be shown served with a side of ice cream. You must show your ID card and make sure all debts or fines have been paid in order to receive your yearbook. If you have any questions about yearbook purchases feel free to contact Mr. Lev.

A senior awards night will be held on May 30 at The Reagan Library. At 5 p.m. CSI projects will be presented with the awards show starting at 6 p.m. A special invitation will be sent out to all the students being acknowledged for their work. Grad Night, the Senior Pep Rally, Senior Sunset, and the awards night will be fun ways to start to say goodbye. There is also a student run bonfire taking place in May. The date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the beach bonfire will take place either May 26 or 27. It is not school affiliated, but seniors Cody Lawrence, Melanie Montes, and Dani Jones wanted to plan something to celebrate. It will start at 6:30 p.m. at Sycamore Cove Beach. Follow the Instagram account, @royal_bonfire, to learn more. All seniors are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

The moment Seniors have been waiting their whole lives for, graduation, will take place on June 1 at 6 p.m. in the stadium. The gates to get seats open at 4 p.m. and seniors must report to the gym at 4 p.m. Senior Matthew Balderas said, “I’m looking forward to grad night and our graduation. It’s exciting to think about walking across the stage.” Cap and gowns will not be shipped to homes, but instead will be picked up on campus on May 31. These can be ordered online or through the phone and information regarding ordering them can be found on the senior newsletter.

Graduation rehearsal and the senior lunch will be on May 31. The mandatory rehearsal will begin at 9 a.m. in the gym. Every senior who wants to walk at graduation must attend this event. After rehearsal there will be lunch, ticket distribution, and cap and gown distribution. Tickets are required by all that want to attend the event including children and toddlers. Every senior will receive complimentary six tickets and can purchase up to two additional tickets. It will be cash only and each extra ticket will cost $10. However, just because you have a ticket doesn’t mean you are guaranteed a seat and there will not be any seat saving allowed. Aloha Flowers also sells leis and there is a link to order those for graduation also on the newsletter. Similarly, Royal PTSA is also selling ribbon and candy leis. Commencement photos will be taken once again by Honest Light Photography at the ceremony and pictures will be available for view or purchase after the ceremony.

The event will also be live streamed for those who cannot physically attend the event. A few rules that must be followed include flat shoes for seniors, no alterations to cap or gown, no one on the track or field during the ceremony, no balloons or umbrellas that will obstruct the view of other people, and finally seniors cannot have phones, cameras, keys, balloons, flowers, leis, or any other loose item while on the field. After the ceremony, families and friends can find their seniors in the Main Quad or MPR plaza. Following graduation, seniors do not attend the last day of school on June 2. Overall, there are so many exciting things for seniors to look forward to as the final days creep up on us.