Graduation Guidelines:

May 20 -24, 2025

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations to all of our LCS 2025 Gradstars! We are extremely proud of your accomplishments, and we know that your future is very bright. We are pleased to provide our graduation ceremonies at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. To that end, please review and acknowledge the following guidelines to participate in your graduation ceremony:

• Graduates should arrive at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center at least one hour before each ceremony begins. Please allow for traffic as the ceremony will start on time.

The parking lot will open at 5:30 p.m. for evening ceremonies (Lincoln, James S. Rickards, and Amos P. Godby High School ) and 8:30 a.m. for morning (Leon High School) and 1:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies (Lawton Chiles High School).

• Please leave all personal items with family/non-graduate friends (cell phones, backpacks, bags, etc.).
• Only CLEAR BAGS will be allowed into the Civic Center. 
• You will not be allowed to enter the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center with any items but your cap, 2025 tassel, and gown.
• Participating graduates will be pre-screened/vetted before entering the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Each graduate MUST bring his/her cap, 2025 tassel, and gown in order to be allowed to enter the graduation line-up and ceremony.

• In order to ensure the safety of each graduate, we suggest that all graduates wear flat shoes that are well-secured to the feet.
• All LCS Student Code of Conduct expectations and policies will be strictly enforced.
• Smoking, vaping, and alcoholic beverages will not be allowed during this LCS-sponsored event.
• Please ensure proper nutrition, hydration, and personal care needs are addressed before attending the ceremony, as no food/drink will be allowed on the arena floor.
• Not adhering to these expectations and procedures may jeopardize the receipt of a student's high school diploma.
• Guests of graduates can enter the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center starting one hour before each ceremony begins. Please note that Donald L. Tucker Civic Center staff members will search all bags and provide a metal detector scan before entering the venue, as is done for all events.
• For guests not able to attend the in-person ceremony, each graduation will be live-streamed on the Leon County Schools Facebook page and then rebroadcast on Comcast Channel 1095TV. Don't have cable? Watch our channel on any device by clicking on this link:  https://bit.ly/3N3bG0Y 

Graduates and guests are encouraged to share his/her graduation experience via social media. Please use #LCSGrads2025 when tagging pictures. 

For the most up-to-date graduation information, including these guidelines, be sure to visit https://www.leonschools.net/lcsgrads2025 .

We are looking forward to seeing our Gradstars shine! 

Sincerely,
Rocky Hanna
LCS Superintendent