Graduation is Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Neches Federal Credit Union Arena, Montagne Center, Lamar University
4401 S M L King Jr Pkwy, Beaumont, TX 77705

Senior Information:
 

SENIOR GRADUATION WALK – on Wednesday, May 20, all of our seniors will participate in a parade beginning on the DHS campus, then visiting all of the DISD campuses.  If you plan to join us on the morning of Wednesday, May 20, for the 2026 Graduate Senior Walk. PARENTS AND VISITORS SHOULD ARRIVE AROUND 7:30 AND ENTER THROUGH THE GYM DOORS.

Those who have not pre-registered:   The deadline to sign up to watch the parade ended on Friday.  If anyone shows up the morning of the walk, you will need to check in.  If you are not on the senior’s Skyward family or emergency contact list, you will not be permitted to enter. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to check everyone in on time to watch the parade. 

MANDATORY GRADUATION PRACTICE – All Seniors will need to arrive at DHS on Wednesday, May 20^th, before 7:10 AM.  Gentlemen should wear a white shirt and tie that morning, and all seniors should bring their caps and gowns for the diploma picture and Senior Walk.  Graduation practice will be held after the senior walk.  ALL SENIORS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND.  Please make arrangements now with employers so that you are available to be at school the entire school day. This is a mandatory practice; if you do not participate, you may not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

SENIOR SUNSET - Due to a scheduling conflict, the Senior Sunset has been moved to Monday, May 18, at 7:00 pm.  BECAUSE OF EXPECTED RAIN, IF THE FIELD IS WET WE WILL MOVE TO THE DHS GYM.  If seniors ordered Sunset shirts they may pick them up on Monday in room 312.

GRADUATION - Graduation is on Friday, May 22, at 11:00 AM at the Neches Arena located at Lamar University in Beaumont. Students must ride the buses to graduation.  They are to be at DHS no later than 7:30 dressed for graduation.  They should carry their cap and gown on a disposable hanger.  A gentleman must wear a white dress shirt and tie.  If obtaining a shirt and tie is a financial hardship, boys should see Dr. Wright this week.

• Graduation is expected to last approximately 2 hours.
• Doors will open for admission to the Arena at 10:00 AM
• There is no reserved seating; all seating is first-come, first-served. There is no limit to the number of guests that you may bring to the ceremony.

In order for us to have a wonderful Commencement ceremony, please follow these guidelines:

• Remain seated
• Silence your phone and other devices

Please do not bring these items that are prohibited by Lamar University:

• Alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances
• Noise makers of any kind, including air horns or whistles
• Flags, signs, or banners
• Balloons, glitter, or confetti
• Concealed weapons
• Selfie sticks
• Strollers or baby carriages
• Prohibited bags (See policy below)

Please be respectful of others and the formal nature of the Graduation Ceremony. 

Be sure that your graduate knows where to meet you outside after the ceremony for their ride home.
 

GRADUATION DAY

• Students must report to the DHS gym no later than 7:30 AM. Once inside, they will not be allowed to exit until we load the buses for Beaumont.
• NO visitors may enter the school.
• Arrive dressed for graduation. Those who do not follow the dress code may not be allowed to walk at graduation.
• Please arrive carrying your cap and gown on a disposable hanger. Students will not put on the cap and gown until we arrive at the Neches Arena.
• Students MUST ride the bus to the Arena. However, after graduation, they may leave with their family.
• Students may ride the bus back to DHS. However, if they plan to ride, they need to sign up with Dr. Wright by May 20th.
• Graduates should not bring personal items to graduation (i.e., purses, bags, etc.) as there is no place to store these items during the ceremony.
• Students will receive diploma covers at graduation. Actual diplomas may be picked up beginning on Thursday, May 28, at 8:00 AM at the DHS front desk.
• Students will be allowed to carry their phones for pictures. However, headphones or earbuds are not allowed.
• Students may only wear regalia (stoles, cords, medals, etc) that are issued, awarded, or approved by Dayton High School. Although allowed at senior walk, they are NOT allowed at graduation.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION

• The ceremony will be live-streamed for those who wish to view graduation remotely.
• Graduation may be viewed at: Graduation Livestream

BAG POLICY

• Lamar University has a very strict clear bag policy. Please remember that if you are attending commencement, either as a graduate or a guest, you will not be able to enter the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center with any bags that do not follow the guidelines.
• Please note that no exceptions will be made.
• Lamar Clear Bag policy may be viewed at: Clear Bag Policy

DRESS CODE

Ladies:

• Dress or skirt – The bottom hem may NOT be longer than the graduation gown or shorter than 2 inches above the knee.
  • No strapless tops or dresses.
• Capri pants or long pants
  • No shorts
  • No jeans
• Dress or casual shoes
  • No boots with skirts
  • No athletic shoes
  • No spiked or pointy heels, as they are a tripping/falling hazard.
• Hair color of unnatural colors is NOT permitted as outlined in the DISD Student Handbook. 
• Earrings are the ONLY visible piercings/facial jewelry that are permitted to be worn at graduation. 

   Gentlemen:

•  Dark pants/slacks, khaki pants, or starched very dark jeans
  • No shorts
• White dress shirt with a collar and tie
• Dark dress shoes, dark casual shoes, or dark boots with dark colored socks
  • No athletic shoes or sandals
  • No white/athletic socks (Except under boots)
• Facial hair is permitted as long as it remains clean and neatly groomed to a length no longer than ¼ inch. Beards and goatees must not extend in length past the chin or onto the neckline; sideburns must not exceed the bottom of the earlobe and must be trimmed in a straight line without flares at the bottom.
• Hair must be well-groomed, neatly trimmed, and worn in a style above the eyes.
• Hair color (including facial hair) of unnatural colors, as outlined in the DISD handbook, is NOT permitted.
• Earrings are the only visible piercings/facial jewelry that are permitted to be worn at graduation.
• Gentlemen will have to dress in a white shirt and tie for the Senior walk as we will take pictures that day with the superintendent and school board president.

GRADUATION VENDOR - There will be a vendor set up outside the Neches Arena selling flowers, leis, graduation teddy bears, and graduation t-shirts featuring the names of all the graduates listed on the back, with a school logo on the front. Available in sizes S - XXL 

PROJECT GRADUATION – Permission slips are still available on the senior information table in the 300 hallway.  A separate email with project graduation specifics will be sent out on Tuesday.