Class of 2022 Celebrations

Monday, May 2, 2022

9:30 a.m.

Prior to our May Crowning and Woodlands Academy Alumnae Induction ceremonies, our Head of School, Dawn Nichols, invites our Senior families and dedicated WAPA volunteers to join us at the Gloria Dei Center for a special thank you breakfast. Please click here to RSVP.

10:45 a.m.

Catholics traditionally honor Mary throughout the month of May as a way to recognize her devotion to God in saying yes to bear the Son of God, Jesus.  She is a model of faith for all of us, as we can learn from her example to accept and trust in the seemingly impossible.

At Woodlands Academy we hold the May Crowning tradition dearly and take this time each year to celebrate Mary through prayer, song, and a procession that leads to crowning her.  All of this is meant to honor this faith-filled woman and to remind us of her wonderful story. In addition to an honor guard of students, the seniors nominate peers to the Crowning Court who will lead the procession and surround the statue of Mary as she is crowned.   It is a high honor to be nominated for this role. 

During this special prayer service we will induct the seniors into the Woodlands Academy Alumnae Association, or WAAA.  Seniors will receive their Sacred Heart passports and the names of the class alumnae representatives will be revealed. What a beautiful reminder of their Sacred Heart roots and then placing this induction within a liturgy that honors Mary, a true woman of the Sacred Heart and patron of Woodlands Academy.

This is a dress day for seniors. Appropriate attire includes dresses or skirts of modest length , dress pant, tops with sleeves, and suitable shoes.

Wednesday, June 1, 2022 10:00 a.m.

This very special prayer service will highlight the seniors as they speak about the Sacred Heart Goals & Criteria, pay tribute to Woodlands staff for their years of service, and offer words of thanks for those who are departing the school. 

We will then focus on our seniors as we celebrate their accomplishments and the accomplishments of others in our community during the Honors Assembly. Parents are welcome and encouraged to attend this event.  

Arrival:

Seniors arrive by 9:30 am and report to the information commons/library to dress in cap and gown. Be sure to have white graduation shoes and all gowns need to be pressed carefully. The girls need to wear white or pastel-colored dress beneath their gowns, and WHITE (not tan/bone) shoes.

Thursday, June 2, 2022 3:00 p.m.

Guest seating in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart opens at 2 p.m.  We welcome any number of guests.  Immediately following the Graduation Mass, class photo, and receiving line, please join us for a graduation reception in the Student Dining Room Courtyards.  Dinner reservations should be scheduled after 5 p.m. to allow ample time to enjoy your daughter's special day at Woodlands Academy.

Arrival:

Seniors must assemble in the Woodlands Academy Information Commons by 1:30 p.m. in pressed gowns with caps for the class graduation photograph, distribution of roses, and final instructions.

Please remember, though, we truly do not say good-bye, but "au revoir!"

Calendar:  To help you plan accordingly, please check the website calendar for important dates and times of the numerous events including assessment week, AP exams, prom, global odyssey, and graduation practice that lead up to graduation.  We need your assistance to ensure that your daughter arrives at these events at the designated time and in the appropriate attire.

Practice Makes Perfect:  Graduation is a lovely ceremony and the result of much hard work.  Two practices are held following the Global Voices days from 3-4 p.m. and immediately following Honors Assembly; in consideration of others, please urge your daughters to be prompt.  We cannot begin rehearsals until each senior is present.  To accurately determine height order, seniors must wear her white (not bone) graduation shoes to each practice.

Cap & Gown:  The white graduation gowns are sheer, so dresses must be white or non-pattern pastels.  Graduates must wear white (not bone) shoes.  Also, please be sure to have the gowns pressed prior to the Honors Assembly.