Completing high school is an achievement worth recognition. As homeschoolers you have had a unique education, and your graduation should be equally as personal to you. Aside from your parents, other family and friends have been able to share in your education and would enjoy the opportunity to share in this celebration. Any home school high school graduate from the Crossroads Area is invited to be a part.

The 2010 ceremony is scheduled for May 22. Registration materials may be downloaded from this site and must be returned by March 20, 2010. Email the Committee if you have questions.

Our goal is to recognize not only what you’ve accomplished thus far but also what you aspire to do. The event features various opportunities which allow you to customize the occasion to make it more memorable for you and your family. The following description of the day’s activities may help you better understand the event:

• 12:45 pm - Graduates may begin to arrive to set up their display table in the fellowship hall. Students may display pictures, awards, memorabilia or anything else to let others know more about themselves, their educational experiences or their plans for the future. Please mark the appropriate response on the registration form if you want a table reserved for you.

• 1:00 pm - A DVD player will also be available in the fellowship hall for graduates to project a short movie (3-5 minutes) depicting their personal life. Technicians will play discs randomly and repeatedly until the ceremony begins. Please check the appropriate box on the registration form if you plan to have a DVD. All discs should be brought to rehearsal for testing. Note this is in DVD format, not a PowerPoint. If you wish to provide your own laptop on your display table for a slide show, be sure to bring a long extension cord. You may want your announcements to reflect this time if you think your guests would be interested in learning about your fellow graduates.

• 1:45 - Prelude music provided by the Bloomington Area Choir for Homeschool Students will begin in the auditorium and will continue until the ceremony begins.

• 1:50 pm - Graduates gather in dressing rooms to prepare for the processional. Caps and gowns are optional; however, if you need regalia, complete the necessary information on the registration form. A group order is placed mid-March in order to receive a discounted rate and reduced shipping costs. Orders generally arrive mid-April if you are planning to use your cap and gown for senior photos.

• 2:00 pm - Following the processional and welcome, a video presentation featuring photos of each graduate will be played. Graduates are asked to submit six photos which span their lifetime, including their senior portrait. The Commencement Ceremony will allow time for each graduate to be individually recognized.

  Each graduate should submit a biography with their registration materials to be read by the Master of Ceremonies as the student and his/her parents approach the platform. Biographies should be approximately 100 words. They may highlight significant awards, honors or activities during high school as well as a personal thought or message from the student. Graduates are encouraged to include a statement of their future plans. You may download a sample here.

  Parents will have a brief opportunity (about 5 minutes) to speak words of recognition, praise or challenge as they present the diploma. No multi-media presentations are given at this time. If you would like to have a personalized 8 1/2 x 11 diploma created, please complete the necessary information on the registration form and indicate if you would like a diploma cover as well.

• 3:00 pm - Following the recessional, graduates are asked to return to the stage for group photos.