Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Class of 2026: Next is Now! Graduation and Senior Celebration Information

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Hi Raccoons!

Let’s start the celebrations for the Oconomowoc High School Class of 2026!

With the blink of an eye, your 704 days at OHS are rapidly coming to an end. In just two months, you will officially graduate from OHS and become a Raccoon Alumni, joining generations of other Graduates who are making a positive difference in this world locally and globally! 

Our theme for the Class of 2026 celebration is: Next is Now! Recognizing that while this transition point in your lives can be overwhelming, you have been preparing for this NEXT phase of your life, and NOW is your time to make the world a better place! Beyond that, the Class of 2026 is uniquely positioned to drive innovation and foster progress. The opportunities you have experienced at OHS have given you the skills and knowledge to tackle complex issues in an ever-changing world. Next is Now is a call to action, and should remind each of you that your actions today hold the potential to redefine tomorrow. So, let’s send the Class of 2026 out in style! 

I am excited to lead us through the various events and ceremonies honoring the individual and collective achievements of the Oconomowoc High School Class of 2026. Outlined in this communication are initial details about:

  • Senior Recognition Events Kicking Off in May
  • Cap and Gown Pick Up
  • Celebrate Your Future Week (Tuesday, June 2-Thursday, June 4)
  • Class of 2026 Senior Send Off Ceremony & Community Parades (Friday, June 5)
  • The Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m. in Rux Stadium

More detailed communication will be sent prior to each event. In the meantime, reach out to me at CurtisJ@oasd.org if you have any questions!


Go Raccoons!
Jason

 

Cap and Gown Pick Up 
Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 1:55 p.m. (Adjusted Schedule)
Pride will move to the end of the day so that seniors in Dual Enrollment can participate in our Graduation Preparation Meetings and Cap and Gown Distribution. Seniors should report to their assigned location based on their counselor assignment:
  • Mr. Eidman: Cafeteria 150
  • Mrs. Schultz: Fieldhouse
  • Ms. McGuire: Little Theater
  • Mrs. Verhagen: REC
  • Mrs. Black: OAC

If you haven’t ordered your Cap and Gown, email me, and we will help expedite the ordering process.

 

Decorating Caps
Graduates have the opportunity to decorate their caps to celebrate their chosen post-high school pathway or to honor a family member, friend, or someone who has been influential in their education journey.

Proposed designs must be submitted to me by email at CurtisJ@oasd.org prior to Wednesday, June 10. 

 

Celebrate Your Future Week!
Tuesday, June 2, Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4 
We will honor the chosen pathway of each graduating senior during three separate ceremonies during Celebrate Your Future Week. Family and friends are invited to join our school community and seniors at the event they will be participating in. 
  • Military Commitment Ceremony: Tuesday, June 2, at 8:55 a.m. in the Gale Douglas Fieldhouse
    • Each member of the Class of 2026 committing to military service will be honored by our school in a special ceremony in our Fieldhouse. Families participating in the ceremony are asked to arrive by 8:30 a.m. and report to the Fieldhouse Lobby.
    • Seniors committing to military service should contact Lauren Black (BlackL@oasd.org) to confirm their participation in the event or if they have any questions. She will also follow up with reminders and details as we get closer to the event.
  • Career Ready Recognition Event: Wednesday, June 3, at 8:55 a.m. in the OAC
    • Graduates entering the workforce, students who have been committed to our Youth Apprenticeship program, and our students in a work-based learning program will be honored in a celebration on campus. Families are invited, and those participating are asked to arrive at the OAC at 8:30 a.m.  
    • If you want to make sure your graduate entering the workforce or beginning an adult apprenticeship is recognized, please email Mrs. DeYoung at DeYoungN@oasd.org to verify we have the correct information
  • 2-4 Year College Parade: Thursday, June 4, at 9:15 a.m. in the Fieldhouse Lobby
    • Graduates attending a 2 or 4-year school will meet other Raccoons heading to the same school and participate in a parade down Raccoon Runway as they showcase their future school. Families are welcome to greet them in the Fieldhouse lobby. Families, please arrive by 9:00 a.m. through the Fieldhouse lobby doors.
Additional Class of 2026 Recognition Events: Throughout May and June
Other schoolwide recognition events are planned throughout May and June. Watch details from your advisors, counselors, and coaches regarding additional details and invites for:
  • National Honor Society Induction on Thursday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the OAC
  • Class of 2026 Senior Capstone Showcase (26 Stories) on Monday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the OAC
  • Scholar Athlete Ceremony on Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fieldhouse
  • Class of 2026 Community Honors Night on Monday, June 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the OAC
  • Youth Apprenticeship Banquet and Recognition Event on Thursday, June 4, at the Golden Mast Inn

 

Class of 2026 Senior Send-Off Day
Friday, June 5, 2026 - All Day!
Families are invited to participate in our Senior Send-Off Day scheduled for Friday, June 5. Details are below:
  • Senior Sunrise Breakfast (Rux Stadium) at 4:30 - 7:45 a.m. (Must arrive no later than 7:20 a.m.): Seniors are invited to kick the day off with a sunrise breakfast starting at 4:30 a.m. Families willing to donate food items should drop them off in the Main Office by the afternoon of Thursday, June 4. Students can arrive anytime after 4:30 a.m. but must be present at Rux Stadium by 7:20 a.m.
  • Senior Class Photo (Rux Stadium) at 8:00 a.m.: Seniors will put on their Caps and Gowns for their official Class of 2026 photo.
  • Senior Send-Off Ceremony at 8:45 a.m.: Our Graduates and Families will gather in the Gale Douglas Fieldhouse at 8:45 a.m. to reflect on the legacy and memories that define the Class of 2026. Families are HIGHLY encouraged to attend this special event. Please arrive at the Gale Douglas Fieldhouse by 8:30 a.m. at the latest. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. If you are unable to attend, you may tune in to view our livestream (View Here). 
  • Senior Grad Walks and Parades at 9:45 a.m.: After the send-off ceremony, seniors will represent OHS and visit our community schools to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire the next generation of Raccoons. Graduates, if you didn’t attend one of our district elementary or intermediate schools, please come be part of this special day. Lunch will be provided. Families are welcome to wave and greet us along the parade route or outside each school. We will share the official parade schedule in late May.

 

Graduation Rehearsal
Friday, June 12 (Times Below)
Seniors must report at their assigned time to participate in graduation rehearsal. At the rehearsal, we will ensure that all fees have been paid and that school materials and Chromebooks (with chargers) have been turned in. Please report to the OHS cafeteria at Main Campus based on your assigned counselor:
  • Mr. Eidman (8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.)
  • Mrs. Schultz (8:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m.)
  • Mrs. McGuire (9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.)
  • Mrs. Verhagen (10:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.)
  • Mrs. Black (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)

 

Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m.- Rux Stadium
We will gather one last time to celebrate at the Oconomowoc High School Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony. There are so many details and logistics that help make this event special. I will share specific details again in mid-May and again in the weeks leading up to the ceremony. However, please take note of the following important initial details:
  • Seating: Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. However, seating is unlimited, and Graduates can bring as many family members as they want. 
    • NEW: This year, we will open Rux Stadium from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 12, to allow families to “save seats”. We ask that you do not use tape, but rather, use bungee cords, magnets, or large clips to designate your area. If you use blankets, keep in mind they will be wet on Saturday morning from the dew.
    • On Saturday, the gates to Rux Stadium will open around 5:00 a.m. so we can begin to set up. We suggest being in your seats by 9:30 a.m., as the procession of Graduates to the field will begin at 9:45 a.m. Concessions will be available for purchase! 
    • We will livestream the ceremony in the air-conditioned Oconomowoc Arts Center, which will open at 8:00 a.m.
  • Accessible Seating: We have seating available for those who cannot climb the bleachers. Families are asked to make a reservation for accessible seating by emailing Christine McCartney at McCartnC@oasd.org. In addition, golf carts will be available to help transport guests with limited mobility from the front entrance of Rux Stadium to the accessible seating on the field.
  • Commemorative Flowers and Items on Sale NOW: Order flowers or other commemorative items through this link. Items will be available for pick up at the entrance to Rux Stadium on graduation morning.
  • Graduation Photos: Professional photographs from the ceremony will be available for purchase from Lifetouch through this link and enter access code 73748GY26.
  • Livestream: The ceremony will be broadcast on our livestream link (click here) and will be accessible to friends and family who cannot be with us in person. 
  • Inclement Weather: In the event of rain and thunderstorms, we will delay the start of the ceremony. Our primary goal is to hold the ceremony on June 13, even if that means the ceremony starts later in the day. However, if the day is a total washout, we will reschedule the ceremony to be held on Sunday, June 14, ideally in the morning. Please understand that we have to consider the schedules of our vendors and contractors when establishing a new time for the ceremony. If the weather cooperates, the ceremony will be held at Rux Stadium; if storms and rain are predicted at that time, we will move the ceremony to the Gale Douglas Fieldhouse. Please keep these contingency plans in mind when making travel arrangements and plans for your graduation parties! 

 

Account Access and Fee Payments
A reminder that all fees must be paid by Wednesday, June 10. In addition, your school Gmail accounts and files will no longer be accessible as of Sunday, June 14. Please make arrangements to transfer any files, pictures, and documents from your Google Drive before June 14. 

Class of 2026: Next is Now! Graduation and Senior Celebration Information

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 Hi Raccoons! Let’s start the celebrations for the Oconomowoc High School Class of 2026! With the blink of an e...