Graduation 2025
MHS Graduation 2025 will be held on Tuesday, May 20th @ 6:00pm at Johnson Coliseum on the campus of Sam Houston State University.
There is NOT a limit on the number of guests a graduate can invite.
Montgomery High School Graduation is a special ceremony for our scholars and community. Fog horns, cowbells, silly string, beach balls, etc., are NOT appropriate for this kind of ceremony. We want every parent/relative/friend in the audience to be able to hear their special student’s name announced and awarded a diploma.
Gate Entrance and Bag Policy
There are THREE identifiable entrances for family and/or guests to enter for the event ceremony. Gates will open at 5:00PM.
Locations are as listed:
- Gate 10 & 11 Northeast
- Gate 16 & 17 Southeast
- Gate 22 & 23 Southwest
Bag Check Policy:
- Non-Clear bags must not exceed 4.5”X6.5”
- Clear bags must not exceed 12”X12’X6”
Prohibited items for Coliseum Entry:
- No outside Food and/or Drinks (including glassware)
- No bags that exceed bag policy
- No umbrellas, tripods, noise makers, banners, laser pointers
- No weapons
- No Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs, E-Cigarettes, Vapes or any device that mimics smoking
- No item or action deemed to be a threat to public safety
- No strollers
- No pets
- No wrapped presents of gifts
Permitted items for Coliseum Entry:
- Blankets
- Cameras (with lenses under 100mm) and video recorders
- Cell Phones and similar devices
- Service animals are permitted into the Coliseum to assist guests with disabilities. Animals must be trained and certified.
Bag Policy
**Note: The Johnson Coliseum Bag Policy strictly limits the size and types of bags that are permitted to enhance a safer environment for the public and significantly expedite family and guest entry. **
Graduates
All graduates must report to the Health and Kinesiology Center across the street no later than 5:15pm for line up and final instructions. Only participants are allowed in the Health and Kinesiology Center. The band, which consists of many seniors, will begin a short rehearsal at 5:00pm. The Coliseum will open for seating at 5:00 pm.
Guest Seating
Seating is on a first come basis. No tickets are issued, as there is ample space available in the Coliseum. The Coliseum will open the doors at 5:00pm for seating. We recommend you do not bring your purse or bag into the Coliseum. The Coliseum has a clear bag policy and will not allow. Reservations are NOT available for seating. Handicap seating is on the bottom 3 rows around the Coliseum. Each member in the party who will need a handicap seat may have one other member sit with them. Please be respectful and follow this need. We want all parents/relatives/friends to be comfortable and safe.
Johnson Coliseum Map
Diplomas
On the stage, graduates will be handed a MHS Diploma cover. The diploma will be given to the graduates before the graduation ceremony concludes. If your graduate does not participate in graduation, their diploma will be available Wednesday, May 21st at MHS in the front office.
Pictures
A professional photographer from Photo Texas will be on duty to take pictures of all graduating seniors as they walk across the stage. Orders will be taken online only. The pre-order link may be found here: PHOTO TX. All orders will be shipped (in a timely manner) to the address you choose when you place the order.
Cap and Gown Etiquette
The caps are worn with the mortarboard flat. Begin with the tassel on the left side, moving it to the right, when told to do so, during the ceremony. Males should remove the graduation cap during the National Anthem, Opening Remarks and Pledge of Allegiance. They will then replace the cap on their head and fix the tassel. Females do not need to remove their cap.
Young men should wear dress slacks or pressed jeans (no holes) with a white collared shirt. Ties are encouraged, but optional. Young women are to wear dresses, dress slacks, or starched jeans. Dress shoes, boots or dress sandals that complement the gown must be worn. You will be walking so make sure you can walk a long distance in your heels if you choose to wear them.
NO corsages, ribbons, pins, flags, or other decorative items on gowns are allowed. Only approved cords, pins, stoles, honor medals, and National Honor Society collars may be worn. You may wear a military stole if you received one from your recruiter.
When all seniors follow this pattern of dress, the class will look uniform in its caps and gowns, lending the proper dignity to the graduation ceremony.
DO NOT BRING A PURSE or personal items with you. You will not be allowed back into the Health and Kinesiology Center after graduation.
REMEMBER, this is a formal ceremony. During the graduation exercises, mature conduct is expected. Please do not talk during the graduation exercises. The staff has worked hard to make this a dignified occasion, which will be a cherished memory for all participants and guests.
Mortarboard Update (5.7.2025)
In a recent message from Dr. Collavo:
First, thank you to the students who approached Dr. Ruffin at the beginning of the school year and those that recently addressed decorating caps at a board meeting. You have handled the situation with class and character and your voices were heard. Because of your advocacy and organization, students will once again be allowed to decorate their graduation caps. Please see strict guidelines for decorating your graduation cap (mortarboard decor).
Purpose: To celebrate the achievements of our graduating seniors while maintaining the dignity and decorum of the graduation ceremony, Montgomery ISD permits limited decoration of graduation mortarboards under the following guidelines.
Guidelines for Mortarboard Decoration:
1. Content Standards:
a. Decorations must be school-appropriate and positive in nature.
b. The only allowable decoration themes are:
i. Post secondary plans (College, Career or Military)
ii. School sponsored extra-curricular activities (Theatre, Basketball, Choir, Robotics, etc...)
iii. National origin, cultural heritage, or religion
iv. Recognition of family members
c. No references to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, violence, political or controversial topics, or anything deemed offensive, vulgar, or disrespectful.
2. Design Standards:
a. Decorations must be flat on the surface of the mortarboard.
b. Since caps are thrown into the air at graduation, 3-dimensional items are not allowed.
i. May not attach flowers, feathers, stones, or other 3-dimensional items
c. Decorations may not extend beyond the top of the mortarboard
i. No decorations that hang down or extend outside of the border for the cap.
d. Decorations must not include lights, moving parts, flags, or objects that create a distraction.
e. Mortarboard designs and decorations should not present a danger to students when thrown in the air at the end of the ceremony.
3. Approval Process:
a. All decorated mortarboards must be approved in advance.
i. Seniors must bring their decorated cap to graduation practice for approval
ii. NO mortarboards will be approved the day of graduation. If a student’s hat is disallowed at graduation, there will be no opportunity to alter design for reconsideration on graduation day.
iii. No alterations of the mortarboard after final approval at graduation practice
4. Enforcement:
a. Students in violation of these guidelines will be issued a new mortarboard at the expense of the student. Students whose mortarboards do not comply with this policy will be required to replace the decorated mortarboard with an undecorated one before participating in the ceremony.
b. Final approval and discretion rest with the campus principal.
Note: Montgomery ISD reserves the right to prohibit any decorations not in compliance with the letter or spirit of this policy.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a respectful and celebratory graduation experience for all students, families, and guests.
Inclement Weather Provisions
In the event of inclement weather, graduates will meet on the floor of the Coliseum at their assigned seat. If we need to meet on the floor a message will be sent through Skyward.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Parking and Directions
ADA and Emergency Information
All males must sign up for Selective Service upon their 18th birthday. No federally funded financial aid will be awarded without this being done.