Senior Class

December 15 - Cap & Gown Orders Due 
All caps and gowns must be pre-ordered and paid for through Jostens. If you have not ordered and paid for your graduation items, please do so at jostens.com.  If you have questions about caps or gowns, call Jostens at 630-963-3500.  We are unable to collect money or distribute items unless they are pre-ordered and paid in full.  
 
April 20 - Graduates Select Time for In-Person Graduation 
So that we can safely celebrate our Class of 2022, Joliet West is hosting two live graduation ceremonies.  On April 20, students receive a link that allows them to select their in-person graduation session on Saturday, May 21 or Sunday, May 22.  Both ceremonies begin at 2 p.m. The event sign-up closes on April 30. 

May 6 - Joliet West Prom 
Tuscany Falls Banquets & Events 
9425 W. 191^st St. 
Mokena, Il 60448 

May 12 - Senior Awards 
Everyone is invited to attend.  Parents and guardians receive an invitation if their student is recognized at this event. 
 
May 13 - Student Obligations  
All obligations due must be paid online prior to picking up your cap and gown. Credit and debit cards are accepted for your convenience.  For questions regarding obligations/fees due please call the Textbook Center at 815-727-6993.  We are unable to mail diplomas until all obligations are paid. 
 
Thursday, May 19 - Last attendance day for seniors  
Students should copy electronic files they wish to keep to a flash drive or a non-JT account.  All files are deleted at the end of the school year.  Graduates do not have access to their JT account after graduation. 

All school issued devices, textbooks, uniforms, instruments, etc. must be turned in by this date.   

Caps, gowns and graduation tickets are distributed.  Each graduating student receives five (5) tickets.   

Final transcript request forms are available at senior check-out.  Final transcripts are not sent automatically.  One final transcript is sent free of charge; additional transcripts must be requested online. 

We will share additional check-out details once plans are finalized.   

Saturday, May 21 or Sunday, May 22 - Graduation Ceremonies at 2:00 p.m.  
Graduates must report to the main gym by 1:30 p.m. for staging and instructions.  All ticketed guests must arrive by 1:45 p.m. Please allow enough time for heavy traffic and parking.  We encourage you to travel with your entire party to limit the amount of traffic and ensure adequate parking. 

Students receive an empty diploma cover during the graduation ceremony.  Only students who meet all JTHS graduation requirements will officially graduate and receive a diploma and program via mail. 

Thursday, May 19 - Last Day of Senior Attendance 
Pay all outstanding fees online before Thursday, May 19.  If you need assistance, please contact Katie Vanderhyden at kvanderhyden@jths.org.  Diplomas are not mailed to students with outstanding fees.

Friday, May 20 - Book/Device Return & Cap/Gown, Yard Sign, Graduation Ticket Pickup
Enter Door 6 during the times below based on your last name. 

Return/Pickup Instructions
1. Return all textbooks to the Bookstore
2. Return all devices and power cords in the Café Rotund Area
3. Pick-up Caps/Gowns, Yard Sign, and Graduation tickets in Café Foyer
4. Exit the building at door 5
***All caps and gowns must be pre-ordered and paid for through Jostens.  If you did not order and pay for your graduation items, please do so at jostens.com.  We are unable to collect money or distribute items unless they were pre-ordered and paid in full. 

The in-person graduation ceremonies take place over two days (May 21 and 22) in the Joliet West Field House in groups of 375 students.  Each graduate receives five tickets for family and guests to attend.  All attendees must have a ticket regardless of age.  Graduation tickets are distributed during the Class of 2022 Check-Out on May 20. 

In-Person Graduation Ceremonies: Saturday, May 21 & Sunday, May 22 From 2 to 3 PM
Students/families sign up for a ceremony spot via Calendly. The link to sign-up is active on April 20, 2022.  Students must use their JTHS emails to sign-up.  Students will receive confirmation and details regarding arrival time and instructions for line-up and family viewing.  

During the ceremonies, students receive their diploma cover. Only students who meet all JTHS graduation requirements will officially graduate and receive a diploma via mail after May 27, 2022. Please contact your student’s school counselor if you have questions about their graduation status. 

Graduation Ceremony Arrival
Graduates must arrive one (1) hour before the graduation ceremony.  Graduates enter at Door 6 and report to the South Gym for line-up and instructions.  Graduates receive an email reminder 48 hours in advance and a text reminder 24 hours prior to their graduation time.   

Guests must arrive no more than 45 minutes prior to the ceremony and will enter the Field House at Door 13.  Guests are expected to sit in family groups in the bleachers.  Chairs are available for handicapped accessible seating.  All guests must be seated by 1:45 p.m. The Line of March begins at 1:50 p.m. There is no entry once the Line of March begins.

Graduation Ceremony Specifics
Dress: The graduation ceremony is a formal event and students are encouraged to dress in a way that appropriately reflects the occasion.  No signs, messages etc. are allowed on the caps or gowns.

Tassel:  The tassel starts on the right side of the mortarboard and is moved to the left side when directed by administration.

Cords: Only school issued, earned cords may be worn during the ceremony.

Diplomas: Only the jacket covers to the diplomas are distributed during the graduation ceremony.  Diplomas are mailed after graduation.

Live Streaming: In-person graduation and virtual graduation can be viewed via YouTube with the following link:  https://bit.ly/JolietWest22 

Additional Reminders
Graduates proceed in and are seated.  Staff read graduates’ names; graduates walk across the stage and receive the diploma cover.  Professional photos are taken and the graduate returns to his/her seat.

Graduates and family leave the field house after all names are read.  The “Class of 2022 is dismissed” via doors 14 & 15.

The Class of 2022’s official graduation date is May 27, 2022.  This date will appear on diplomas and transcripts.

All caps and gowns must be pre-ordered and paid for through Jostens. If you have not ordered and paid for your graduation items, please do so at jostens.com.  If you have questions about caps or gowns, call Jostens at 630-963-3500.  We are unable to collect money or distribute items unless they are pre-ordered and paid in full.  

The deadline for district scholarship applications was March 25. Visit the West Scholarship Webpage for additional scholarships.

View March Newsletter HERE.

Joliet West Prom is May 6 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Tuscany Falls Banquets & Events, 9425 W. 191st  Street in Mokena. 
 
Prom tickets are on sale for $70 now until April 18 and can be purchased in the Book Store.  Remember, tickets can NOT be transferred to others. A School ID is required, no exceptions. All student fees must be paid to attend the dance and students cannot be on Behavior Warning. Student fees can be paid online HERE.   
 
Guest Request Forms   
Guest request forms must be completed by April 13 and approved prior to purchasing tickets.  
Guest request forms for the dance can be found HERE and are also located in the main office.    
 

This is a reminder to check your My School Bucks cafeteria account balance.  Per District policy, balances less than $10 dollars are not refunded or transferred.  Seniors with a low balance should spend their money before graduation.  Seniors with a lunch balance greater than $10 dollars can request a refund or a transfer of funds to pay school fees for themselves or a sibling.  To request a refund or transfer, email bshaw@jths.org.  My School Bucks cafeteria account balances for freshmen, sophomores and juniors will automatically transfer to the next school year.  For more information click HERE.

Your JTHS student email is deactivated after you graduate.  Complete the Class of 2022 Contact Info Update Form so that you can receive class reunion information and school/district updates.  Make sure to include your personal email address.  You can also scan the QR code below to access the form.

Graduation photos can be purchased Here.