Senior Timeline
Senior Timeline 2027
August
August 3-4, 2026: Senior portraits will be taken in the MHS Auditorium per assigned appointment. Please be on time and refer to guidance provided in person and through Parent Square. Only one make up day will be offered on January 7, 2027 for those students that were unable to take one in August. This is NOT a retake day. All retakes must be arranged directly with Mattox Photography at their studio in Graceville, FL.
August 28, 2026: Sponsor: Mrs. Dunn--Beta Members who are SENIORS - This year's and any unpaid previous year's dues must be paid up-to-date by August 27. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from Beta with no opportunity to reenter. Beta cords will be awarded to members who are up-to-date on dues and participate in at least 2 projects per semester this year or participate in state convention. Annual dues are $20 unless prior dues are not up-to-date.
September
September 4, 2026: NHS dues are due. You must participate in at least two service projects and participate in 80% of the meetings to earn a cord at graduation.
September 7, 2026: Deadline to purchase yearbooks and ads at a discounted rate.
Senior Yearbook Ads:
- Want your own senior page in the yearbook? Senior pages purchased on or before September 7, 2026 will cost $230.00 and will include a yearbook. On September 8, the price will increase to $245.00. Deadline to submit photos is January 15, 2027. Please understand that if you do not submit photos according to this timeline, time spent on designing your page may be minimal. We cannot design your page without your photos so PLEASE adhere to this schedule. Specific directions for submitting photos will be included on the Senior Ad Form that must be completed upon purchase.
- If you only want a yearbook without an ad, the cost is $60.00 through September 7. On September 8, the price will increase to $70.00.
September 11, 2026: 9 AM--Herff Jones Graduation Announcement presentation in the MHS Auditorium by Brad Maxwell, our Herff Jones representative: Mr. Maxwell will present the Senior Graduation packages available for purchase, including official announcements, official cap, gown and tassel, extra tassels, senior t-shirts, memory books, diploma plaques, etc. Announcements are not a required purchase. You will also be able to purchase other senior items such as t-shirts and extra tassels. None of these purchases are required. These announcements do not guarantee seats at graduation. Do not bring money on this day. You will only be looking at the items available for purchase.
September 11, 2026: Diploma Listing - Submit your diploma listing to Mrs. Godwin by September 11, 2026. This document ensures that your name is spelled properly on your diploma. If you do not submit your diploma listing, and your name is misspelled on your diploma, there will be a 20.00 fee to reprint your diploma.
Link to Diploma Listing Request Form
September 18, 2026: Anchor Dues ($35.00) are due. To receive a graduation cord, Anchors must have accumulated at least 45 hours of Anchor related community service hours by the end of their senior year.
September 18, 2026: Order Caps and Gowns and announcements from Brad Maxwell, our Herff Jones representative, in the MHS Auditorium - You will have to place a $60.00 deposit to order the package that you choose on September 11. Reps will be on campus until lunch. If you are unable to order on this date, you can order online. All Seniors will order Caps and Gowns on this day during their order times.
Appointment Times by Last Name
9:00-9:30 A-F
9:30-10:00 G-K
10:00-10:30 L-O
10:30-11:00 P-S
11:00-11:30 T-V
11:30-12:00 W-Z
Caps and Gowns are the only required purchase for graduation. The cost for a cap and gown is $60.00. A $60.00 deposit is required to purchase additional senior memorabilia. Link to Order Cap and Gown
September 18, 2026: Fall Letter Jacket Order Day (Brad Maxwell from Herff Jones is also the representative for this purchase. You can talk with him about it when you order graduation gear.)
Tip: You need to take the ACT and the SAT. Don't wait until the last testing date to test. The SAT is given on our MHS campus in October, December, March, and May.
October
If you are planning to attend college in the Fall of 2027, you should begin researching the FAFSA. This federal money for college is allocated on a first come/first serve basis. Do not wait to fill this out. You also have to fill out a FAFSA to be eligible for Bright Futures. Link to FAFSA.
October 9, 2026: Grad Bash Deposit Due: Reserve your spot for Grad Bash 2027 by paying a deposit of $120.00. The Grad Bash registration form and a trip specific notarized permission form must be submitted with this deposit. You may turn in your money to Mrs. Fears or Mrs. Shelfer before or after school. The entire 120.00 deposit must be paid to reserve your spot. The final payment of 120.00 is due by February 5, 2027. The total cost for Grad Bash is $240.00 and is not refundable for any reason--including illness. The charter bus will leave Marianna High School at approximately 10:00 AM on April 16, 2027, and will return at approximately 7:00 AM on Saturday, April 17, 2027. The total cost of the trip which includes travel to and from Orlando, and admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is $240.00. The buses will be booked based on the number of students committed as of October 9, 2026. There are no refunds for any reason—even illness. This trip is an elite honor, as our seniors join other seniors from all over the tri-states in celebration of their success. In order to qualify to attend, students must be on track to graduate, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, receive no class 3 offense referrals resulting in out-of-school suspension or expulsion, and no ISS referrals for more than 3 total days during the 2026-2027 school year. All debt list items and class dues must be paid to attend this trip. MHS administration reserves the right to make final approval determinations. Parents/guardians are responsible for a student's return trip to Marianna from Universal Studios should any medical or behavioral issues or rule/law violations occur which result in removal from charter bus, Universal Studios/Islands of Adventures, or any point in between. See Mrs. Fears for a permission slip packet.
Tip: If you are planning to attend or early admit to a four-year university as a freshman, you need to begin applying during the month of October. It is not a bad idea to begin looking at other admissions deadlines at this time, too.
December
December 1, 2026: Senior Quote DUE - A link will be provided through Parent Square for students to submit a senior quote prior to this deadline along with guidance on the length and content. Quotes should be inspirational or reflective of accomplishments. Fliers will also be posted to inform seniors to submit.
Tip: You should already be finding and filling out scholarship applications. See Mrs. Wiggins in guidance. Make sure that your volunteer hours are turned in to Mrs. Wiggins.
January
January 6, 2027: Last day to purchase Senior Ad in Yearbook - Seniors wishing to purchase a full page ad in the yearbook should do so by January 6, 2027.
- Starting September 8, the price increased to $245.00. Deadline to submit photos is January 15, 2027. We cannot design your page without your photos. Specific directions for submitting photos will be included on the Senior Ad Form that must be completed upon purchase.
January 7, 2027 - Senior Formal make-up day for those students who have not taken a senior photo at all. Retakes will not be taken on campus this day. You must contact Mattox Photography for scheduling retakes.
January 10, 2027: Deadline to submit proof # for Senior portrait for yearbook. Information will be sent out in the fall with directions.
January 15, 2027: If you purchased a SENIOR AD for yearbook, photos are due to F113 by this date. We MUST have these photos in order to design your page.
February
February 5, 2027: The final grad bash payment (120.00) is due. You will be able select your bus seat when you pay your final payment on a first come/first served basis. See Mrs. Fears in the library to pay your balance.
March
March 4, 2027 – Cap and Gown Pictures (OPTIONAL) - Mattox Photography wilbe onon campus to take photos for students who would like Cap and Gown Pictures taken. A sign- up sheet will be available for students to sign up starting in January.
March 30, 2027 - Caps and Gowns and Announcements will be delivered - Auditorium - 9:00-12:30.
Appointment times by last names:
9:00-9:30 A-F
9:30-10:00 G-K
10:00-10:30 L-O
10:30-11:00 P-S
11:00-11:30 T-V
11:30-12:00 W-Z
12:00-12:30--Parents who need to pick up a cap and gown for their child should come at this time.
Announcements should be mailed about 1 month prior to graduation. Review information about graduation etiquette.
April
April 10, 2027- PROM - Location: MHS Gymnasium (ONLY MHS Seniors attend free of charge. Seniors planning to attend must register before April 9, 2027. MHS Seniors attend for free, but must purchase a ticket for a date who is not an MHS senior.)
April 16, 2027 - Grad Bash
We will be attending Grad Bash, but if you choose to attend you must agree to a no-refund policy. We are unable to get money back from the bus company and the theme park in the event you are unable to attend - even if you are in the hospital. If you have more than 3 days of ISS, you will not be able to attend, and you will not receive a refund. Do not get in trouble.
May
TBA - 8:00 AM has been set to determine Senior Class Rankings (Val/Sal/Honor Graduates). It is up to you to complete any make up work and take care of any attendance issues before this date. Teachers can still take grades after this date, but they will not count in ranking for val/sal/honor grad. The grades taken after this date will count on your report card.
May 13, 2027: Senior Recognition Night: 6:00 P.M. (All Senior awards will be given on this night) Seniors will march in. Seniors will line up to process into the auditorium outside of the library at 5:30 P.M. Mr. Gilmore requests that all seniors wear appropriate dressy attire for Senior Recognition Night. All graduates and guests are invited to attend a reception immediately following in the library that is provided by the National Honor Society. While you are strongly encouraged to attend Senior Recognition Night, it is not a requirement to walk at graduation.
May 17, 2027: Speeches for val and sal should be submitted to Mrs. Law by this date. If you do not turn in your speech by this date, you will not be allowed to give a speech at graduation. Email it to luanne.law@jcsb.org.
May 20, 2027: Bulldog Bound - 8:30 AM before grad practice, we will meet the Class of 2039 at the 50 yard-line of Bulldog Stadium and "Pass the Bones" to the next generation of Bulldogs. Your parents are welcome to meet us at the stadium to watch! Dress: Cap, Gown, and cords over grad practice clothes. You do not have to wear dress clothes under your cap and gown. (Parents welcome.)
May 21, 2027: MK8 Senior Walk - This is for MHS Seniors only. Senior Walk at MK8 at 8:15 - We will leave MHS at 8:05 for the last bus ride of our Seniors' school career and head over to the MK8 to walk the halls and see former teachers and current students. Dress: Cap, Gown, and cords over grad practice clothes. You do not have to wear dress clothes under your cap and gown. Students must ride the bus to participate. MK8 doesn't have enough parking for individual students to drive and has requested that everyone ride the bus. Bus drivers will drop us off on one side of the school and pick us up on the other side after the walk. (MHS Seniors only--No guests/parents)
May 24, 2026: Senior Breakfast and Bulldog Signing – Wear clothes that reflect where you are headed next. Think painted pants or t-shirts with the college where you will attend or the career that you plan to start. We will stroll through the halls after breakfast on our way to practice. Practice will start immediately following the Senior Breakfast. (MHS Seniors only--No guests/parents)
May 23, 2027: Baccalaureate Service - Location: TBA; Time: 6:00 PM; All are welcome. Attendance is not mandatory.
Graduation
Graduation Practice: These practice times are MANDATORY. We are giving you advance notice of the dates so that you may make arrangements to be off work. You will not be excused due to work. If you miss a practice and it is unexcused, you will not be able to walk at graduation. We will practice in the gymnasium and on the field. If graduation has to be moved off of the field due to inclement weather, it will be held in the MHS gymnasium. IF it is held in the MHS Gymnasium, you will receive a limited number of tickets for your family.
May 20, 2027: MHS Gymnasium and Bulldog Stadium: 9:00 AM - Until (plan for at least 2+ hours) We will begin practice in the gym on this day. Wear sunscreen.
May 21, 2027: MHS Gymnasium and Bulldog Stadium: 9:00 AM - Until (plan for at least 2+ hours) (The first part of practice will be our Senior Walk at the MK8. We will begin loading the bus at 8:00. We will leave no later than 8:05. You must ride the bus over to the MK8 to participate. There is not enough parking for everyone to drive. You will wear your cap and gown over your practice clothes--no need to dress up under the cap and gown. We will start practice immediately after the Senior Walk. Parents do not attend the Senior Walk.
May 24, 2027: MHS Gymnasium and Bulldog Stadium: 9:00 AM - Until (plan for at least 2+ hours) We will begin practice on the field on this day. Wear sunscreen.
Graduation Night at Bulldog Stadium
May 25, 2027: Seniors should be at Bulldog Stadium at 7:15 PM. Graduation begins at 8:00 PM.
Pictures of each graduate will be taken by professional photographers as he or she receives a diploma. Parents are not allowed on the field to take pictures. The professional pictures may be ordered online. Link to order professional pictures.
Attire: Business Dressy: Girls should wear a dress or pants suit or dress with dress shoes. Remember that you are walking on the grass - stilettos are not a good idea. Boys should wear dress pants or dressy khaki pants, a button down shirt with a tie, and dress shoes.
Project Graduation:
Project Graduation is organized and funded by the parents of the graduating class. Marianna High School does not organize functions related to fundraising or hosting the event. We would like to remind you that Project Graduation was never intended to be a senior trip, rather it was to be one last night together as a class in a safe environment free of alcohol and drugs that might lead to tragedy. Because of this original intent, the community is very generous when it comes to donating for this night. A few years ago, classes began raising close to $60,000.00. Businesses didn't realize that students were being given A LOT of money for attending Project Graduation. The truth is that our business community took a huge hit with Hurricane Michael and Covid 19, yet it continues to support our school community in many ways. We encourage parents and students to keep this in mind when planning Project Graduation. If your class chooses to organize a senior trip rather than Project Graduation, the trip should be funded by parents of the participants, not the community, unless the community is fully aware that they are paying for a senior trip and not Project Graduation.