BHEA Graduation

***BHEA 2027 COMMENCEMENT INFORMATION COMING SOON***

BHEA has hosted a formal high school graduation ceremony since 2008, and we are honored to offer this special event exclusively to our member families again this year.

Please review this page in its entirety before registering to ensure you understand all commitments, requirements, and deadlines. Because you’ll revisit this information throughout the year, we’ve included a Table of Contents below to make it easy to navigate directly to specific sections as needed.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click the links below to jump to: 
Registration and Participation Fee
Graduation Regalia
Milestone Dates & Deadlines
BHEA Scholarships
Graduation Ceremony & Rehearsal Information

 

Graduation Registration & Participation Fee: $110

Your participation fee covers:

Registration opens November 10, 2026.  You must complete the Graduation Registration Form and submit payment by January 31, 2027.  After submitting the form, you'll receive an emailed invoice. Registration is not complete until your $110 fee is paid.  

Once registered, Download Class of 2026 Important Deadlines & Dates Checklist!!  Print it and keep it handy. 
 


Graduation Regalia

Download: How to Order Your Graduation Regalia (PDF)

Our graduation is a formal event, and all graduates are required to wear a black cap, gown, and gold tassel.

Regalia should be purchased through GraduationMall's Amazon storefront, which offers the best pricing, and fast, free shipping for Amazon Prime significantly cheaper than past years, and shipping is free and fast with an Amazon Pime account. Returns and exchanges are easy, if needed. Approximate cost: $35 (shipping is free with Amazon Prime). 

Graduates may also purchase and wear any of the following honor cords (as earned):

Purchase links available in the downloadable PDF.  Students must have their regalia in hand by March 26 for Senior Photo Day.  
 


MILESTONE DATES & DEADLINES

March 15: Senior Photos Due

Download: How to Select Your Graduation Photos (PDF) & How to Upload Your Graduation Photos (PDF)

Begin going through and selecting photos that tell your senior's life story! You will submit:

Choose clear, high quality images. Typically, slideshow photos are chosen to chronicle the years from birth to graduation. PDF documents will provide all the details you need for selecting the right type of photos and uploading them to our portal.  

 

March 15: Senior Bios Due

Download: How to Format & Upload Your Graduation Bios (PDF)

You will submit 3 senior bios for:

Detailed guidance is provided in PDF. Submit all 3 bios through the Class of 2026 Graduate Bio Submission Google Form.

 

March 15: Senior Performance Proposals Due

Download: How to Submit a Student Performance Proposal (PDF)

If your student would like to share a song, poem, speech, or prayer during the graduation ceremony, submit your proposal to the Graduation Committee via email by March 15. Specific details for each type of submission (including a video for song submissions) are included in the PDF. Please note that submissing a proposal does not guarantee participation. The final number of student-led contributions will depend on the number of graduating seniors, and overall length of ceremony. 

 

March 26 (April 2 Rain date): Senior (Class Picture) Day!

Location: Maryville Greenbelt Ampitheatre, 325 Court St, Maryville, 37804
              (park in courthouse lot and meet at ampitheatre, across from Maryville 1st Baptist Church)

Arrive no later than 11:50 am for the 12 pm (sharp) group photo. The schedule includes: large group photo, 13-Year Club group photo, then individual cap/gown photos. Late arrivals may miss group photo. Students are dismissed after their individual photos.

What to wear: We begin with the group photo, which is done without cap/gown. Arrive in the clothing that you will be photographed in. While you are not required to to dress up, do select an outfit that meets BHEA dress code and is appropriate for being featured in our graduation program. Students should have their cap/gown/tassel/cords ready to put on immediately after our group shots when individual photos will begin.  

If weather does not permit us to take pictures on March 27, our back up date is April 10. 

 

March 31: Scholarship Applications and Essays Due

BHEA offers two senior scholarship opportunities - The BHEA Outstanding Senior Scholarship and The Lisa Best Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Scholarship. Visit the BHEA Senior Scholarship page on our website to learn more.

 

April 15: Senior Memory Table Confirmation

Students may display a Senior Memory Table at the reception following graduation (idea photos linked). Tables and black tablecloths will be provided (60" round). Depending on the final number of participating graduates, tables may be shared. All items MUST be on the table, and no items may be place on the floor around the tables. Email [email protected] to confirm whether you will have a table by April 15. 

 

May 14: Graduation Rehearsal - Broadway Baptist Church

** REHEARSAL IS MANDATORY FOR ALL GRADUATES AND AT LEAST ONE PARENT. ** 

10:00am - 10:50am - Memory Table Setup
11:00am - 1:00pm - Graduation Rehearsal (DO NOT be late)

All memory tables must be set up during the specified time frame. No one will be able to stay after rehearsal. 

 

May 15: Graduation Ceremony & Reception - Broadway Baptist Church

10:00am - Student Arrival **DO NOT be late**

10:30am - Slideshow begins

11:00am - Processional

12:30pm - Reception (until 2pm)

All graduates, families, and guests are invited to a celebratory reception with light appetizers, desserts, and drinks, while visiting the senior memory tables (approx 12:30-2pm). As graudation approaches, we will request a rough RSVP from graduate families to plan refreshments. Students with memory tables are responsible for clearing their items at the end of the reception.

QUESTIONS?? Email us at [email protected]