graduation information

Any Career Technical Education (CTE) student who graduated after August 11, 2025, or who will meet all program completion requirements no later than Thursday, May 26, 2026.  

Any GED student who attended the GED Prep Course at Tom P. Haney Technical College and completed all four parts of the GED after May 26, 2025. 

There is no charge to participate in the graduation or the graduation breakfast. However, graduates must register by the deadline so that caps, gowns and alumni t-shirts can be ordered.

Yes. Based on the large number of graduates and seating capacity, each graduate will receive at least 3 tickets for guests. Once we know how many students register to participate in graduation, we may be able to offer more tickets.

Guests who are not able to attend in person can watch the livestream. See link above. The graduate does not need a ticket for entry.

1. Tickets are required for entry for all guests.
2. Each person must have a ticket to enter--including babies and children. 
3. No food, drinks, balloons, or noisemakers allowed.
4. Doors open for guest entry at 5:00 PM.
5. All guests should be seated no later than 5:45 PM.
6. Guests arriving after 5:45 PM will be required to wait in the foyer until all graduates have entered the ceremony. 

Yes.  All graduates will have a picture taken upon arrival at 4:45 pm. The photographer will also take pictures during the ceremony - including when students walk across the stage.  A link to all photos from graduation will be emailed to graduates within a couple of weeks of the ceremony. The link will be sent to the email you used to register for graduation.  This link will only be sent to graduates. Use your personal email when you register because school emails (@baystudent.org) are no longer active after students graduate.  Email Suzanne Vann if you are a participating graduate and you do not receive the link. 

Men should wear dark or khaki pants, a neatly-pressed, long-sleeve dress shirt with a tie, dark socks and dress shoes under the gown. Ladies should wear a dress, skirt or dress slacks, with a blouse and dress shoes under the gown. Shorts, jeans, athletic clothes and flip flops are not to be worn. You will be climbing stairs, so please wear shoes that you can walk in comfortably and safely. If you need help with graduation clothing, please contact Kim Nix in Student Services no later than April 25th.

Caps, tassels and gowns must be worn in a tasteful manner. Gowns should be completely zipped during the entire ceremony. Do not mark on the top of the graduation caps or change your cap and gown in any way. Honor cords awarded during your time at Tom P. Haney Technical College should be worn for graduation.

Caps & gowns will be available for pickup on May 18th. We will distribute caps & gowns in class for students who are still enrolled.

If someone other than the graduate is picking up the cap, gown and tickets, you must contact Suzanne Vann to provide his/her name.

Honor cords are provided to the following: (Please mark if you are eligible for one or more of the following during online registration.)

• Students who earn an industry certification or license
• Students who are veterans or active-duty military
• Students who earn both a GED diploma (attended GED Prep Course) and career technical education diploma from Tom P. Haney Technical College
• Dual-enrolled high school students 
• Students who complete a placement form documenting employment in the field of study

Tom P. Haney Technical College diplomas are typically ready for pick up at the school within a month after program completion. Please contact the school at 850-767-5500 to confirm that it is ready. GED diplomas are mailed by the state of Florida to the address you entered when you created your GED.com account.  Please log in to your GED.com account for more information.

 8:45 AM: 

Graduation Breakfast and Practice (Breakfast/Practice is for Graduates ONLY - no guests)

Wear your the alumni t-shirt that was provided with your cap & gown. Do not wear your cap and gown. Meet at Hiland Park Baptist Church for a breakfast in your honor and then participate in a short practice. Breakfast/practice will end by noon.

4:30 PM:  

Graduates arrive wearing cap and gown (make sure it is ironed or steamed).  Have your graduation photo taken by the professional photographer.  All graduation photos are provided at no charge (see above).

5:00 PM - 5:45 PM: 

Guests must be seated no later than 5:45 PM.  Guests arriving after this time must wait in the foyer until after all graduates have been processed in before entering the auditorium.  

6:00 PM

Graduation Ceremony begins