Graduation Guide for Mission Viejo Schools

The senior photos have been taken, the caps and gowns have all been ordered.

Now all that's left is to graduate for Trabuco Hills and Mission Viejo High seniors Wednesday night. (Capo Valley High graduated last week).

If you plan to attend a graduation Wednesday, here's a guide for what to expect:

Park early: Parking lots fill up fast for graduation, so get a spot early and plan on staying awhile.

Dress: This is California, so the dress code isn't too severe. Still, leave your flip flops and cutoffs at home. This goes for graduating seniors and their guests.

Getting on the List: This one depends on the school. THHS grants each senior six tickets, so without a ticket, you won't be permitted. MVHS has open seating, first come, first served, with gates opening at 4 p.m. And don't even think about cheating: according to Mission, "The stadium will be cleared of all paraphernalia (i.e, blankets, stadium chairs, etc.) before the gates open."

Commencement Time: Again, this depends on the school. Trabuco's commencement starts at 7 p.m. At Mission, the ceremony starts at 6 p.m.

Where: Whether you attend the ceremony at Mission or Trabuco, each is being held at the school's football stadium.

Special Provisions: Mission will make special provisions with golf cart assistance for those in need.

No Personal Items: Both schools forbid graduating seniors from bringing purses, keys, phones, flower leis or any other personal items. Trabuco promises to search seniors prior to the ceremony.

Photos: For Mission, a senior panoramic photo was taken Tuesday morning and can be purchased by contacting Albert & James, (714) 639-5555. For Trabuco, a photographer will take pictures as seniors receive their diplomas. A mailer to parents will offer photos for purchase after the ceremony.

You can also find lots of photos of each ceremony Thursday morning on Mission Viejo Patch.