125th Commencement

THURSDAY, MAY 15

• 7:00 p.m. – Athletic Awards Ceremony, Mebane Fieldhouse

FRIDAY, MAY 16

• 5:30 p.m. – Dinner at Stolz Hall (Senior families are invited to eat dinner in Stolz Hall prior to the 7:00 p.m. event)
• 7:00 p.m. – Celebration of the Class of 2025, Pingree Auditorium (This event is primarily for seniors and their families. Underclassmen may attend, but seating is prioritized for seniors and their guests.)
• All Boarding Students Must Return To Campus (No exceptions)

  SATURDAY, MAY 17

• 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. – All-school Awards Ceremony, Mebane Fieldhouse, (All current students, their families, and guests invited)
• 5:15 p.m. – Reception following the awards ceremony with drinks and light snacks, Athletic Hall of Fame
• 6:00 p.m. – Enjoy dinner in the Asheville area (we recommend making reservations)
• 8:00 p.m. – All Boarding Students Must Return To Campus (No exceptions)

  SUNDAY, MAY 18

• 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. – Coffee, Dining Hall (optional)
• 9:00 a.m. – Baccalaureate (graduates and up to four family members each - St. Joseph's Chapel)
• 9:45 a.m. – Seniors and underclassmen begin to line up for processional.
• 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. – Commencement, Yard A, ALL members of the Christ School Community invited - (In case of rain, exercises will be held in the Mebane Fieldhouse.)
• 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – Optional Reception, Stolz Hall Patio, (For Only Graduates, Families, and Guests).

Click here for all hotels offering discounts to Christ School guests.

Note: We have a special link for the 124^th Commencement at the Hampton Inn & Suites Asheville Airport (special rate for graduation) - This special rate is ONLY valid until midnight on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Group Name “Christ School Graduation.”

The dining hall will be available for meals all weekend. However, many families prefer to make dinner plans following the Awards Ceremony and lunch following Commencement.

For Christ School Graduation Announcements, we recommend ImageSmith at http://csp.imagesmith.com. If you choose not to use ImageSmith, you may create your own custom announcements via many online sites like Vistaprint, Shutterfly, Peartree, Snapfish, Collage, etc.

ImageSmith is currently experiencing some technical difficulties that makes their page display incorrectly in certain browsers on certain devices. If the instructions below don't work for you, please write directly to pmt@imagesmith.com and they will process your order directly via email rather than through their website.

ImageSmith Website instructions:

- Click on "Register" below the log in button
- Enter your contact information and username (we suggest your e-mail address)
- At "Choose Facility," click in the box and select ImageSmith (the only option available)
- Once logged in, you will see the Graduation Announcements product. Click on it and you'll be able to enter the quantity and student's full name, proof it for accuracy, and submit your order with credit card payment.
- Turnaround is 3-5 working days plus shipping. You can choose to pick up your order at the Arden facility, or have it shipped to you.

If you have any questions or issues in the ordering process, please contact ImageSmith's Project Management Team at pmt@imagesmith.com or 828-684-4512.

Graduates will be expected to move out of the dorm by 4pm on the day of graduation. Boarding students are given plenty of time and access to supplies during the preceding weeks to pack. Be aware that the circle on upper campus will be blocked off during the graduation exercises.

With the variety of activities scheduled, you may want to bring a selection of casual, and dressy casual attire. Weather permitting, commencement exercises will be held outside on Yard A lawn (south side of the chapel). Temperatures in May are unpredictable, so check the forecast and pack accordingly.

• Parents & Guests – suggested attire
  • Senior Celebration: Casual attire
  • Awards: Dressy casual attire
  • Commencement: Men typically wear a coat/tie; women wear dresses or nice pants and top
• Graduate attire
  • Awards night: Coat & tie
  • Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremony: Green CS blazer, white shirt, CS tie, khakis and dress shoes. Mr. Hyche will review with the students in the weeks ahead.

• Parking: Follow signs to the parking lots. The chapel road and Wetmore circle will be closed beginning Saturday afternoon until Sunday at noon.
• Handicapped Guests: Golf cart valets will be available to escort handicapped guests on Saturday evening and Sunday morning to the Awards Ceremony and to Yard A and St. Joseph’s Chapel.

A professional photographer will be on hand to get a picture of your son as he receives his diploma. After the ceremony, the photographer will also be available to take group and family pictures. These photos will be available on the photographer’s website in the weeks following graduation. Christ School will email all parents the link to the website.

Our policy mandates that all boarding students remain on campus through Commencement on Sunday, May 19. Commencement is on Sunday from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM, which is relatively short for graduation ceremonies. The reasons for having your sons here through the Graduation Ceremony are listed below.

1. Many underclassmen are recognized and honored in the awards ceremonies at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening, May 18.
2. We believe it is important for the underclassmen to attend the Commencement of the Class of 2024. It is a foreshadowing of the passage that the younger boys will be making in the near future. It is also an opportunity to say goodbye and bring closure to the tight friendships your sons have developed with the graduating seniors.
3. The underclassmen have a role in preparing the campus for the various graduation events.

We invite you and your family to join us for any of the events on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and May 19. Some events are reserved for the families of graduates as indicated on the schedule. I urge you to also make your hotel reservations as soon as possible.

Please contact Steve Stay should you need any assistance in preparation for your visit. We look forward to seeing you in May 2024.