Graduation 2025

Blackman High School Graduation Frequently Asked Questions

 

General Information

  • When is graduation

Blackman High School’s 2025 Graduation ceremony will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, beginning at 7:00pm at Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.

 

  • Do seniors have to participate in graduation in order to graduate?

No.  Participation in graduation is not a requirement for graduating from high school.

 

  • What time is graduation rehearsal?
Graduation rehearsal will be on Friday, May 16, 2025 beginning at 1:00pm and lasting until 3:00pm at MTSU's Murphy Center. 
 
  • If my senior chooses to participate in graduation, must he/she attend rehearsal?

Yes.  Participation in rehearsal is a must for those seniors participating in graduation.  Failure to attend the full rehearsal will forfeit a senior’s opportunity to participate in graduation.  ***As rehearsal is mandatory, we strongly suggest that you make no appointments for the day of rehearsal.*** 

 

  • What do I need to do to ensure that my senior is able to participate in graduation?

First, be sure that your senior has earned or will earn the necessary credits to graduate.  In November, a form will be brought home by your senior for you to sign and return to school.  On this form, you will indicate that your senior intends to participate in graduation.  Please have your senior return this form to Mr. Weeks as soon as possible.  We do not want to spend time in the spring trying to verify if your senior intends to walk 

*This form will need to be signed and returned even if your senior WILL NOT participate in graduation.

**This form can be downloaded at the right hand side of this page. It is labeled Graduation Participation Form 2025. 

***The Graduation Participation Form can be returned to Mr. Weeks in Room E12, or a scan of the form may be emailed to him at [email protected].

 

  • Originally, my senior did not want to participate in graduation and submitted a Graduation Participation form stating such.  However, he/she changed their mind.  What if my senior "changes his/her mind" and wants to participate in graduation?

Due to the work that is necessary to plan graduation, May 1st is the absolute final date to indicate that a senior plans to participate in graduation.  After this date, no senior can be added to the ceremony.  Before that date, a senior will need to submit a new Graduation Participation form to Mr. Weeks.  Without an updated Graduation participation form, your senior will not have a seat reserved for them at graduation.  You will also need to order a cap and gown from Josten's (1-800-JOSTENS).

 
  • If my senior graduates in December, can he/she still participate in the May graduation ceremony?

Yes.  He/She will need to complete the items listed for seniors.

 

  • Can my senior still walk at graduation if he will graduate through summer school?

No.  The May graduation is for seniors who have earned the necessary credits to graduate at the end of the school year.  Those seniors graduating through summer school will have an opportunity to participate in the graduation ceremony for summer school.

 

  • How long does graduation last?

While it is impossible to predict the length of graduation, previous Blackman ceremonies have usually finished in about 90 minutes. 

***However,  in order to reduce the unnecessary noise made by some guests, our assistant principals will pause while reading the names of the graduates if there are any extended disruptions.  If that happens, the length of the ceremony could extend considerably.

 

  • Will graduation be filmed or live streamed over the Internet?

The ceremony to be live streamed by the Video Department of MTSU.  

 

  • Why is the announcement made to remain quiet during the ceremony?

Graduation is intended to be a dignified ceremony.  In recent years, the trend has been to yell, scream, chant, blow air horns, etc. when a senior’s name is called.  While this does remove from the dignity of the ceremony, it also causes the names of some seniors to not be heard.  We ask that any celebration you do when your senior’s name is called be quick so the family of the ones following your senior may likewise hear their name called.

 

  • What if my senior causes a disruption during graduation?

Any senior that causes a commotion or disruption during the processional, ceremony, or recessional will be escorted from Murphy Center and his/her diploma will be held until the senior and his/her parents meet with Mr. Smith to discuss the situation.  Release of the senior’s diploma will be at the discretion of Mr. Smith.

 

  • Does my senior need to secure tickets for guests for graduation?
No.  Because of the size of Murphy Center, seniors are not required to limit the number of guests they invite to graduation.  Tickets are not required to attend graduation.
 

Graduation Dress Code

  • Is there a dress code for seniors participating in graduation?

Yes. All seniors participating in graduation must wear a Blackman cap and gown. 

Boys must wear a dress shirt with long tie (No bow ties!), dress pants, dress shoes and dress socks (or dress boots).

Girls have two options: 1) Girls may wear a dress/skirt that does not hang below the gown and dress shoes (Wedge shoes are fine, dress sandals (with a heel) are fine.  Dress flats are also fine. Casual sandals or flip flops are not allowed.  No boots of any kind, if a dress/skirt is worn); and 2) Girls may wear dress pants with a blouse and dress shoes.  If this option is chosen, dress boots may be worn.

 
  • What special regalia items may be worn at graduation?

While there are many items (stoles, cords, medallions, tassels, pins, etc.) that may be worn during any graduation ceremony, only those items listed below may be worn for Blackman’s graduation.

    • 2025 Navy/Orange tassel (purchased by student from Josten’s)
    • Blackman Collegiate Academy gold tassel (purchased by student from Josten’s)
    • Valedictorian Medallion (provided by BHS)
    • Student Council white stole  (provided by Student Council)
    • National Honor Society Light Blue Stole (provided by NHS)
    • State Graduate with Distinction Orange Stole (purchased by student from Josten’s)
    • Graduating with Honors Orange Cord (purchased by student from Josten’s)
    • Beta Club Black Cord (provided by Beta Club)
    • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant White cord (provided by Health Education, HOSA)
    • DECA Blue & White Cord (provided by DECA)
    • Future Farmers of America Blue & Corn Gold Entwined Cord (provided by FFA)
    • Future Health Professionals-HOSA Navy, White, & Maroon Braided Cord (provided by HOSA)
    • International Key Club solid blue cord (provided by Key Club or Kiwanis)
    • International Thespian Society blue and gold cord (provided by ITS)
    • JROTC Camouflage Cord w/ medallion (provided by JROTC) 
    • JROTC Distinguished Leader Graduate Stole, white with JROTC insignia (provided by JROTC)
    • Mu Alpha Theta, Mathematics NHS Gold & Blue cord (provided by Mu Alpha Theta)
    • National Art Honor Society Rainbow Cord (provided by NAHS)
    • National Junior Classical League Entwined Purple & Gold Cord (provided by NJCL)
    • National Forensic League Entwined Red & Silver Cord (provided by NFL)
    • Renaissance Navy and Orange Double Cords (provided by Renaissance)
    • Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society Royal Blue & White Double Cord (provided by Rho Kappa)
    • Science National Honor Society Green, Gold, & Purple Entwined Cord (provided by SNHS)
    • US Chess Federation Black & White Intertwined Cord (provided by Chess Club)
    • Work Ethic Distinction (Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce) Kelly Green Cord (purchased by student from Josten's)
    • Youth Leadership Rutherford Red, White, & Blue Cord (provided by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce)
 
  • My senior received a special award/recognition from an organization outside of BHS.  May he/she wear this award as part of their graduation regalia?
No.  The only regalia items that may be worn at graduation are those listed above.  These items represent national organizations that have a chapter at BHS.
 
  • How does my senior get their graduation regalia?
Regalia provided by clubs will be given to seniors by the club sponsor.  All other items will be sold by Josten's at BHS approximately 2 weeks prior to graduation.  NO PERSONAL CHECKS will be accepted by Josten's at that time.  These items may be purchased with CASH ONLY.
 
  • Since there are so many graduates, may my senior write his/her name on the outside of his/her cap so that we may identify him/her?
No.  No alterations may be done to the cap or gown. This includes adding names or any other writing as well as adding any type of decoration.  Any violations will result in the student/parent owned cap and gown being replaced by a previously used cap and gown prior to entering the floor of Murphy Center.

 

Josten’s

  • Must a senior purchase a cap and gown from Josten’s in order to participate in graduation?

No.  While a senior is required to wear a Blackman cap and gown, they may borrow one from a sibling or friend who is a Blackman graduate.

 

  • May I purchase a cap and gown from a company other than Josten’s?

No.  Josten’s is the company that Blackman works with for graduation, and a senior participating in graduation must purchase their cap and gown from Josten’s.

 

  • What information does Josten’s need when my senior orders his/her cap and gown?

Josten’s will need your senior’s height and weight.

 

  • What is the cost of the cap and gown?

The cost of the basic package, which includes the cap, gown, tassel, and diploma cover, is $65.00.

 

  • Who do I pay for my cap and gown?

As you are purchasing these items from Josten’s, you will need to pay them.  Blackman teachers, administrators, or staff will collect no money for graduation items.

 

  • When do we pay for the cap and gown?

Josten’s will be at Blackman on TBD3.  On this date, Josten’s will deliver information about graduation items including the cap and gown needed for graduation.  Josten’s will return on TBD.  On TBD, your full order (including caps and gowns, announcements, and other senior items) will be placed and Josten’s will require a deposit.  We are asking that your account with Josten’s be paid in full no later than TBD.  This can be done on-line at www.jostens.com or by phone at 1-800-JOSTENS.

 

  • When will my senior's cap, gown, and other graduation items be delivered?
Some items your senior orders from Josten's will be mailed directly to your home within a few weeks after they are ordered.  Your senior's cap and gown, graduation announcements, as well as some other senior items will be delivered at Blackman on TBD. Josten's will deliver these items during all three lunches in the gym lobby.
 
  • If I am not participating in graduation, do I still have to purchase a cap and gown?

No.  However, you will be billed for the diploma and diploma cover.

 

  • What should seniors do once they have received their cap and gown?

First of all, do not open these at school!  In doing this, the chances of the gown getting torn or breaking the zipper are greatly increased.  At home, open the cap and gown and try them on to make sure that both fit properly.  (The gown should fall about halfway between the knee and ankle.)  DO NOT place a hot iron directly on the gown!  While you may iron the gown through a folded towel, the best way to remove the wrinkles is to place the gown on a hanger and allow the steam from a hot shower to remove the wrinkles.  If your cap and/or gown do not fit, contact Josten’s immediately!  The number is 1-800-JOSTENS.

 

  • Do I have to purchase invitations from Josten’s?

No.  While Josten’s does offer graduation announcements and other “senior items,” you do not have to purchase these items from Josten’s.

 

Graduation Deadlines

  • Are there any deadlines that my senior must meet?

Yes.  The intent to walk form should be turned in as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the first semester.  Those who plan to graduate with distinction or honors should notify their counselor by the end of the first semester.  Those who have perfect attendance (K-12 or 9-12) must have this verified by attendance and inform Mr. Weeks by April 1.  All balances with Josten’s should be cleared by April 1. 

 

  • What should a senior do if he/she plans to graduate with Tennessee state distinction or honors?

Those seniors who plan to graduate with distinction or honors must meet the requirements as laid out in the student handbook.  We ask that seniors notify their counselors that they have met or will meet the requirements by the end of the first semester.  Seniors must notify their counselor of their completion or planned completion of requirements to graduate with distinction or honors by the April 23rd, so that we may have time to order the necessary regalia from Josten’s. Click here to complete the form If your senior does not complete the distinction/honors form and return it to his/her counselor by TBD, he/she will not be recognized at graduation.

 

  • My senior has perfect attendance.  Will he/she be recognized at graduation?

If a senior has perfect attendance for grades K-12 or grades 9-12, he/she will be recognized and will receive a plaque at graduation. 

***It is up to the senior to verify this with the attendance office.  Once they have receive confirmation from attendance, the senior should bring this information to Mr. Weeks, our graduation coordinator in room E-12.  The deadline for getting this verified and to Mr. Weeks is March 15, 2025.

 

More Information

  • Who do I contact for more information?

Information will be sent home with your senior in November.  However, if needed you may contact Mr. Weeks, our graduation coordinator.  His email address is [email protected] or you may leave him a message at (615)904-3850 ext. 22978.

 
Jostens