Graduation

On Sunday, May 18th, De Soto High School will proudly host the DHS Commencement Ceremony at 6:30 PM. The event will take place on the football field and begin with the graduates walking through the staff gauntlet at 6:00 PM. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the Main Gymnasium, with limited attendance.

The next few weeks will be an exciting time filled with milestones, but we know it can also feel overwhelming. To help keep you informed, this letter provides key dates and deadlines for all senior activities. Expect weekly updates leading up to graduation so you feel prepared and confident about the weeks ahead.

Thursday, May 1st – Wednesday, May 7th

• Senior Skip-a-Final: Eligible students can pick up a Skip-a-Final form from the Main Office starting Thursday, May 1st, at 3:00 PM.
• Final Deadline: Forms must be submitted to the office by Wednesday, May 7th, at 3:00 PM. Attendance and grades will be reviewed before final approval. Any grade or attendance changes after May 7th may disqualify a student from participation.

Friday, May 9th

• Cap & Gown Pick-Up: Caps, gowns, stoles, patches, and honor cords will be distributed during lunch in the Union. If unable to attend, items can be picked up from the Main Office on Monday, May 12th, Tuesday, May 13th, or Wednesday, May 14th (7:30 AM - 3:15 PM).
• Senior Exit Form Pick-Up: Seniors must complete an exit form before receiving their diploma. Forms will be available during cap & gown pick-up. Completion of this form is also required to receive guest tickets for an indoor graduation ceremony (if needed).

Friday, May 9th – Wednesday, May 14th

• Senior Final Exams: The final exam schedule is available on our website. Seniors are required to attend and complete all academic requirements based on their second-semester course schedule.

Tuesday, May 13th

• Senior Awards Ceremony: Recognition will take place at 7:00 PM in the DHS Performing Arts Center. Students receiving awards will be notified via email.

Thursday, May 15th

• Senior Exit Form Due: While seniors do not have school on this day, senior forms must be turned in to Student Services by 3:30 PM. Diplomas will not be issued without a completed form.

Friday, May 16th

• Senior Breakfast: A student-only breakfast will be held at 8:30 AM in the Auxiliary Gym. Cost: $7.00 per student (via Venmo @DeSotoHighSchool - type “senior breakfast” in the description) or cash to the Main Office by Friday, May 9th.
• Graduation Rehearsal/Class Day Assembly: Begins at 9:30 AM in the Main Gym. Attendance and appropriate behavior are mandatory to participate in the graduation ceremony.
• Gradfest: Celebrate the Class of 2025 at Senior Gradfest at Miller Park (8205 Ferry Rd, De Soto, KS), 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. In case of bad weather, an alternate location will be announced. Lunch, drinks, and dessert will be provided by the DHS Booster Club. Sign-up to donate prizes, provide games, or volunteer at the event: Gradfest 2025 Sign Up.

Sunday, May 18th – Commencement Ceremony

• Student Arrival: Between 4:00 – 4:45 PM at the Attendance Entrance (North Side of Building).
• Photo Session: Official senior portraits for the Class of 2025 Composite (wearing their cap and gown) will be taken immediately upon arrival.  
• Line Up: Begins at 5:30 PM in the Auxiliary Gym.
• Staff Gauntlet Walk: 6:00 PM
• Commencement Ceremony: 6:30 PM
• Diploma Pick-Up: After the ceremony, students must report to the Auxiliary Gym to receive their diploma.

Note: Seniors participating in spring sports will receive their diploma once all equipment is returned to their coaches. Diplomas can also be picked up from Mrs. Miller in Student Services until June 9th.

We are proud of our seniors and look forward to celebrating this milestone with you. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,
Sam Ruff
Principal
De Soto High School

Class of 2025

January 7, 2025

Dear Graduating Senior and Parent/Guardian, 

Happy New Year! As we transition into the second semester, it is incredible to think how quickly time is passing. With May just around the corner, we want to share important details about the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony. 

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025. Please note this change in schedule from previous years, which allows our senior tennis athletes to participate in both the Kansas State Tennis meet and our graduation ceremony. Seniors will begin the gauntlet walk at 6:00 PM, followed by the ceremony at 6:30 PM. 

Location and Weather Plan: Our current plan is to host the ceremony at the De Soto High School Stadium. An outdoor ceremony means there will be no attendance limits or ticket requirements. However, in case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be indoors to the Main Gymnasium at De Soto High School. If the event is held indoors, seating will be limited, and each student will receive 7 tickets for guests. The ceremony will also be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. The final decision on location will be communicated 24 hours prior to the ceremony. 

Graduation Attire: De Soto High School considers graduation a time to celebrate and honor our seniors' achievements. Students will not be permitted to wear regalia representing accomplishments outside DHS or post-secondary plans. However, students may customize their stoles with logos of official DHS activities they participated in during their time at the school. Additional details about attire and customization guidelines will be shared in February. 

Additional Information: We have included the Senior Schedule for May 2025 to this email for your convenience. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Thanks, 

Sam Ruff

 

October 1, 2024

 

Dear Graduating Seniors and Parents/Guardians,
 

As the end of the first quarter is just a few weeks away, what has been a great 2024-2025 school year seems to be flying by. The month of May is not as far off as it may seem, and we want to share information with you regarding the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony.
 

The Class of 2025 graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 18, 2025. We are excited to inform you that our current plan is to host the ceremony at the De Soto High School stadium. In this outdoor setting, we will be able to celebrate this occasion without the need for attendance limits or tickets. However, we are mindful of the unpredictability of weather, and if inclement conditions arise, we have an alternative plan in place. In the event that we need to move the ceremony indoors, it will be held in the Main Gymnasium at De Soto High School. In this case, we will need to limit attendance, and each student will be allocated 7 tickets to ensure their loved ones can be part of this special day. Rest assured, whether indoors or outdoors, the ceremony will be live-streamed so that everyone can participate, no matter where they are. The final decision on the location will be communicated to you 24 hours before the scheduled start of the ceremony.
 

A long-standing DHS tradition and a meaningful prelude to the ceremony, the gauntlet will begin at 6:00 p.m. The official commencement ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. 
 

We are pleased to announce that Jostens will be providing our graduation regalia, announcements, and, our diplomas this year. To facilitate the ordering process, a representative from Jostens will meet with our senior class during seminar on Monday, October 14th, to discuss graduation announcements and provide details on ordering caps, gowns, and stoles.
 

In closing, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your support throughout your student’s academic journey. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with you on this day.
 

Thank you for entrusting us with your children's education, and we can't wait to witness the bright futures that await each and every one of our graduating seniors.
 

Sincerely,

Sam Ruff

Principal, De Soto High School