The faculty is rolling out the red carpet as seniors wrap up their tenure on campus. Teachers are preparing the annual commemoration that rivals a royal banquet in pomp and circumstance.

The class of 2005 is leaving high school behind forever. The event will begin with the traditional commencement ceremony on May 26 starting at 7 P.M. Afterwards, there will be the customary greeting and congratulations from faculty, in which the entire K-12 faculty lines up to shake hands with each student. The ceremony will take place in the refurbished Peoples Church sanctuary.

?It?s about time,? Brandon Diaso, ?05, said. ?After four years of hard work, I?m ready for this. We?re all thrilled to finally walk out there and get our diplomas.?

Following the commencement there is a reception in Ground Zero with refreshments and a senior video. To cap the night off, students will depart for an all night celebration.

?Our school is different because we can have some Christianity in our ceremony,? Scott Falk, campus pastor, said. ?Many larger schools make the ceremony one giant impersonal get together where you get your diploma, where ours places much more emphasis on the students as individuals and the great accomplishments they?ve made.?

Most schools have a graduation commencement and then a separate baccalaureate ceremony so as to incorporate some religion into the process. The baccalaureate service is optional. The campus graduation brings the two together into one.

While the actual ceremonies differ, after-graduation celebrations do not vary much. Most schools hold a ?sober grad night?. The idea is for the students to get together and have a good time by celebrating without drinking.

Students will meet in the school parking lot immediately after the final reception to depart on their final adventure together. The destination remains a mystery until departure.