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.
