Graduation

All homeschoolers are invited to join other families across Colorado at CHEC’s special homeschool graduation ceremony that recognizes the graduates, honors the parents, and gives glory to God.

Invite friends and family to celebrate with you in your student’s completion of high school!

Graduation Ceremony at the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference

Deadline: May 27
Cost: $210 per graduate
Date: Saturday, June 18 at 6:30 pm (Cake & Punch Reception to follow ceremony)
Location:
- Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center 5500 E 40th Ave, Denver, CO
Who: Any homeschool student (regardless of curriculum or independent school affiliation) is invited to participate.
Program bio: Graduates submit a brief biography to be included in the graduation ceremony program. It can include favorite Bible verse, favorite subjects, accomplishments, hobbies, future plans, special awards/recognitions, etc. (Deadline is June 3rd.)
Slideshow photos: Graduates submit up to three photos (baby, elementary, senior) to be included in the slideshow played during the ceremony. Photos will be reviewed for modesty and family-friendliness. (Deadline is June 3rd.)
Invite others: You’re welcome to invite guests to join you at the ceremony; please include the number who will attend when you register. The ceremony will also be live-streamed so you can conveniently share with family and friends!

Commencement Address Speaker

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As a founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly emails, seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd and his wife, Debbie, homeschool three of their eight children (five have graduated) in northern Indiana and travel America in the Familyman Mobile.

Graduation FAQs

Click to view more information:

What traditional graduation elements are included?

"Pomp and Circumstance" as graduate and parents enter
Special music during the ceremony
Commencement address and charge to the graduates
Parents' presentation of the diploma
And finally – the graduating class is announced!

What does my registration cost include?

Participation in the ceremony
A cap and gown
A printed diploma and cover
Ceremony programs
Optional Photo package ($40) includes the following (delivered via download):
- Up to 3 Portraits of the Graduate – (e.g., Grad, Grad w/Parents, Grad w/Family)
- Photo of Grad entering the ceremony
- Photo of Grad receiving the diploma
- Group Photo
- 10-15 assorted photos of the ceremony

Are invitations/announcements included in the package?

No, each family takes care of creating/ordering and sending their own invitations. (Often families will have a separate open house celebration following the ceremony and want to include that information within their announcements.)

How do I submit my bio & photos?

Check your graduation registration confirmation email for a link to the form to upload your biography and pictures for the ceremony. (If you don't see your registration confirmation, check your spam folder.)

The biography will be included in the graduation ceremony program. Be creative! It can include favorite Bible verse, favorite subjects, accomplishments, hobbies, future plans, special awards/recognitions, etc. Please note the maximum character count is 512 (characters include letters, punctuation and spaces)

When will I receive my cap & gown?

You should receive your cap & gown in the mail around the Monday or Tuesday before the graduation ceremony.

We recommend opening up your gown package and having it ironed/steamed before the day of the ceremony. (Or, hang it in your bathroom and the steam will help iron it out.)

When will I receive the diploma?

You will pick up the diploma right before the ceremony.

How long is the ceremony?

The ceremony will last about 2 to 2 1/2 hours depending on the number of graduates.

What should we wear?

Graduates, please come dressed and ready when you arrive at the church building. Time will allow for slipping on caps and gowns only and not for dressing and/or primping. Out of respect for the church facility and the occasion, we ask that the graduates and their families wear dress clothes.

When do I need to arrive?

Graduates and their parent(s) must arrive at the church two (2) hours prior to their scheduled ceremony for preparation and rehearsal. Time will allow for slipping on caps and gowns.

How much time is allotted for parents to speak during the diploma presentation?

Parents will be given 90 seconds to speak to their graduate. Both parents can speak and even the graduate themselves can speak, but you are limited to 90 seconds total per family. As you plan what to say, think about homeschool memories, memories of your graduate as he/she was growing up, spiritual growth of your child, or personal attributes when commemorating their graduation. If you just want to say, “We’re proud of you!” that would be fine.

Please decide ahead of time which parent will actually present the diploma. Examples of what might be said at the time of presentation are: “It is a privilege to present this diploma to you.” Or, “It is with great pleasure that we present you with this diploma.” These are only suggestions; please be as creative as you’d like.

You have the liberty to choose what you want to say at this milestone in your child’s life. You all have worked hard and this is the time to truly celebrate.