Senior Awards

Senior Year End FAQ

• When are the end of year senior events?
  • Senior Breakfast - Thursday, May 15 from 8-10 in the South Campus Cafeteria. Bring your yearbooks and enjoy a delicious meal! You must have met all year end obligations (with your counselor, returned your laptops and textbooks (unless you still have AP exams), paid all obligations, and completed all checkout elements with Mr. Petrusic) to be eligible to attend
  • Cap and Gown Distribution  - Thursday, May 15 from 10 am - 3 pm in the PASS room next to the South Campus Cafeteria. Cap/gown packages may be purchased on-site for $80. If you are wearing a sibling's or friend's cap and gown and only need a tassel, you may purchase one for $20. If you cannot pick up your cap and gown on May 15, you will be able to do so in the main office during school hours starting May 16.
  • Senior Sunset - Friday, May 16 beginning at 5 PM with a car decorating contest and tailgate party. (see email and/or Canvas notifications for additional details)
• When is graduation rehearsal, and do I have to attend? 
  • MANDATORY graduation rehearsal Wednesday, May 21 at 8AM at the Kia Center
  • Students must arrive by 7:45AM and park in the GEICO garage
  • Enter through the loading dock entrance at Division and South Streets
  • Everyone will pass through metal detectors - NO backpacks, bags or yearbooks 
  • Dress comfortably (according to school dress code) - No cap and gown needed
• How many tickets will each student receive for the ceremony? Zero! We offer a ticketless ceremony. Bring as many people as you wish ☺️
  • Please note items prohibited by the Kia Center: https://www.amwaycenter.com/arena-info/a-z-guide 
• Where can I park? How much? Parking is FREE for graduates and family members (in the same car) in the GEICO garage. Additional parking is available for a fee in other nearby garages
• Is there handicap access? There is handicap parking, elevator access, and specified handicap seating. Just ask an Amway usher for assistance.
• Can we decorate our caps? NO! OCPS regulations say that all caps need to be plain. 
• Can we wear custom sashes or purchase our own cords? NO! All cords, sashes, or stoles worn during the ceremony must be awarded from a DPHS honor society, service organization, or academic program. Those who choose to wear unapproved items will be asked to return them to their car, or the items will be held until the end of the ceremony. 
• If you have any additional questions, please contact Ms. Golub at [email protected] OR Mrs. Wells at [email protected]

🎓 GRADUATION 🎓

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Kia Center

8:30 am

GRADUATES

Dress Code: Graduation is a formal occasion requiring dressy clothes: dress, skirt and blouse, shirt and tie with dress slacks, dress shoes (no sneakers or flip flops). Honor cords, stoles, and medallions will be distributed through official campus organizations and honor societies. Cords, stoles, or other accessories that are purchased separately may not be worn during the graduation ceremony, including In Memoriam items, flag stoles, or anything purchased through an honor society or other group that does not have an official DPHS chapter. OCPS guidelines state that you are not permitted to decorate your cap.

Parking and Check-in: Students should park in the Geico Garage across from the Kia Center and go downstairs to the first floor for check-in with your guidance counselor. Graduates need to arrive no later than 7:30 am.

Lineup: Students must have their lineup card and wristband to be admitted into the Kia Center. Once you pass through security, you will be given specific instructions about where to line up.

Personal Items: All purses, bags, etc. must be locked in your car. There is no storage available for these items. Keep your keys in your pocket or in a small crossbody bag that can be worn under your gown.

Phones: We prefer that you leave your phones in the car, but if you choose to bring yours inside, it must be on silent and stowed in your pocket or small bag. We have yearbook staffers, professional photographers, and a videographer working the event. Phone use during the ceremony is not permitted.

GUESTS

Parking: Guests may park in the Geico Garage at no charge until it is full. City of Orlando parking lots will also be open for a fee.

Arrival time: Doors to the Kia Center will open for guests at 7:30 am. Guests may enter through the 5th floor tunnel of the Geico Garage or the Kia Center’s main entrance on Church Street.

Screening: All guests must go through a brief security screening. Large bags, balloons, noisemakers, signs, banners, presents, etc. should be left in your vehicle.

Seating: Seating is first come, first serve. Kia Center staff will assist with seating for disabled members of your party.

TICKETS

No tickets are required for this year’s ceremony. The Kia Center has open seating.

SUITES

A limited number of suites will be available for purchase. Please click this link for information and pricing.

LIVESTREAM

Click here to watch a livestream of the ceremony.

WANT THE VIDEO?

Video copies of the ceremony will be available within a week or so after the event. Scan the QR code to order your copy. Pre-orders made before the day of the ceremony will receive a $10 discount!