Class of 2026

Welcome Class of 2026!

Please visit this website periodically for updates as we will continue to post new information here for our Class of 2026 seniors and their families!

BHS Class of 2026

Commencement Ceremony

Tuesday, June 16, 2026
1:00pm
Pop Keeney Stadium
 

Senior Speeches

All Seniors are invited to submit a speech to be presented at one of the Senior Events. Students who participate may be selected to give their speech at any of the Senior events: Senior Brunch, Senior Memories Assembly, Graduation. Submitting a speech does not guarantee that it will be selected.  There are typically no more than 2 student speeches at each event. 

Typed drafts are due via Google Docs to Mrs. Haydon - lkrotkehaydon@apps.nsd.org no later than Friday, May 8th at 3:30pm. Please make sure you give Ms. Haydon viewing access. Speeches that are not submitted on time will not be considered. You will also be required to submit a video (MP4) audition. It also goes to Ms. Haydon. The subject line should read: GRAD SPEECH AUDITION (Your Name - First and Last).

Submitted speeches will be presented to a panel of staff/administration/students including 1 rep from Senior Class Officers and 1 rep from ASB Exec. Board. If you choose to present a speech, you will not be on the selection panel.  This panel will select which speeches will be presented and which event they will be presented at. We will notify you of the date, time and location of your presentation to the panel.

Speech expectations - Please be positive, encouraging, and creative. Reflect on your time spent at BHS, share memories, something you learned that will help you later in life, advice you have for your fellow Cougs.  Write something that will make your speech memorable. 

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To participate in the commencement ceremony, students must:

• Have their BHS cap, gown, stole, and tassel. If you are in need of financial support, please see Mrs. Brenengen in the counseling office.
   
• Participate in the rehearsal held prior to the ceremony on 6/16 (10:45am arrival to BHS, meet in the courtyard)
   
• Clear all fines and fees (see Mr. Edwards at the cashier window)
   
• Be on track to graduate - complete grad requirements, complete High School & Beyond Plan, submit Senior Survey. All outside credits must be submitted to your counselor by 3pm on 6/1.

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Commencement Day Schedule:

10:45am - All seniors expected to arrive to the BHS courtyard for rehearsal

11:00am - Prompt start for rehearsal

12:15pm - Doors open at Pop Keeney for guests

1:00pm - Commencement begins

2:30pm - Ceremony concludes

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Graduation Attire

Cap and gown orders can be picked up in the Commons during both lunches on Tuesday, April 28th. After this date, you may pick up from the Counseling Office M-F between 8am-3:30pm.

• Required: Bothell blue cap and gown, tassel, and stole.
• BHS awarded honor cords are allowed.
• You may wear a culturally appropriate, school appropriate stole as well as any honor cords, leadership awards and academic awards you have received. (HB 1393).
• Attire, including caps, cannot be decorated or altered in any way. Caps will be replaced if found decorated. We suggest purchasing a 2nd cap that you can decorate for your pre-graduation parties and celebrations.
• Wedge sandals and flat shoes are permitted on the field, high heels are NOT allowed on the turf field.

Still need to place an order? Order Now from Jostens – Cap, Gown, Tassel, and Stole Unit. Students needing financial assistance should reach out to Mrs. Brenengen.

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Tickets

Entrance tickets are required for every guest. Children under age 2 sitting on laps are free. Each graduate will receive 5 complimentary tickets. Complimentary tickets can be picked up starting Tuesday, June 2nd before school, during lunches, and after school in the counseling office. To receive their complimentary tickets, seniors must have cleared all fines and fees, submitted their Senior Survey (in SchooLinks), and be on track to graduate (complete all grad requirements). All outside credits must be submitted to your counselor by 3pm on 6/1.

Additional ticket sales begin Tuesday, June 2nd. Tickets are $10 each. Please note that no more than 10 tickets per family can be purchased between June 2nd-5th. Starting Monday, June 8th and based on availability, additional tickets may be purchased.

Please plan ahead as tickets will not be sold at Pop Keeney on Tuesday, June 16th.

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Graduate/Attendee Guidelines & Safety Protocols

Over several months, principals and staff members from all four comprehensive high schools collaboratively planned this special day to honor our graduates. Every graduate who plans to participate in this year’s commencement ceremony, and every attendee, is expected to follow the standards set forth by the Northshore School District and each high school’s Administration to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.

We understand this is an exciting time for our graduates, as well as those who have supported them in reaching this milestone. In honor of the Class of 2026 and everyone in attendance at the commencement ceremony:

• Please remain seated and quiet throughout the ceremony.
• Anyone causing disruptions will be asked to leave.
• Balloons, noisemakers, air horns, beach balls and other distracting items are strictly prohibited.
• Wedge sandals and flat shoes are permitted on the track and field, high heels are NOT allowed.
• Guests may join their grad(s) in designated areas on the field after the ceremony, for family and friend photos.
• No personal photos allowed on the graduation stage.

Creating the best possible experience for every graduate and attendee includes making safety a priority.

• Weapons are strictly prohibited on District property per RCW 9.41.280. No alcoholic beverages or glass containers for liquids will be allowed.
• Please be aware of emergency exits. Maps are posted around the stadium. In the event of an emergency, listen to announcements for directions.

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Arrival & Parking for Pop Keeney Stadium

Gates open 45 minutes prior to the ceremony. Due to the large number of anticipated attendees, please note the following information for arriving and parking at Pop Keeney Stadium, 9809 NE 188th St., Bothell:

• Parking, including ADA parking, is limited - please consider carpooling.
• Drop-off area is available and overflow parking is available nearby at Bothell United Methodist Church and Bothell High School.
• The best route to approach the stadium parking lot is Eastbound on 188th as there will be no left turns into the stadium to maintain traffic flow.
• Tailgating is not allowed.

For further Pop Keeney entrance instructions and video driving directions, visit the district’s BHS graduation webpage.

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Personal Items/Valuables

There is no secure storage at Pop Keeney Stadium. Seniors are not allowed to bring personal items such as backbacks, purses, make-up bags, phones, cameras, extra clothes, snacks, or other personal items to the ceremony. Personal items should be kept by parents/guardians until they reunite with their senior following the ceremony.

Snacks and water will be provided to seniors during rehearsal.

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Picture Taking and Hellriegel’s Foto 1

Guests are welcome to take pictures from their seats. Guests will not be permitted on the stage or on the field to take pictures before or during the ceremony, no exception. Guests may join their grad(s) in designated areas on the field after the ceremony, for family and friend photos.

Hellriegel’s Foto 1 will take pictures of each graduate on the stage. Additional information will be provided in the district’s graduation email in late April.

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Graduate and Guest Seating & Reuniting After the Ceremony

The Class of 2026 seating chart will be sent to seniors and their families via ParentSquare on Monday, June 15th. There will also be a table set up inside of Pop Keeney where guests can view the seating chart. The seating chart will help you make the best decision on where to sit.

• Seating for guests is first come, first serve by ticket only
• Saving sections of seats, and re-entry is prohibited.
• Please remain seated and quiet throughout the ceremony
• Please turn off or silence all cell phones and devices
• Persons causing disruptions to the ceremony will be asked to leave

After the ceremony concludes, guests may join their grad(s) in designated areas on the field after the ceremony, for family and friend photos. A designated photo area will be available on the south side of the field. Families must vacate the area within 30 minutes following the end of the ceremony.

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ADA Accommodations for Graduation Ceremonies

Pop Keeney Stadium has entrance ramps on the south side for wheelchair access. The first few rows in the bleachers and spots along the field sidelines are reserved for those with limited mobility. Requests for reserved seating in these areas will be accepted via a google form closer to the ceremony date. More information will be communicated by the district when the form is open.

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Graduating with Latin Honors

Northshore School District uses the Latin Honors system to recognize high achieving students as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors): top 5% of GPAs
• Magna Cum Laude (with high honors): top 6-15% of GPAs
• Cum Laude (with honors): top 16-30% of GPAs

Students receiving Latin honors will be recognized during the Senior Memories Assembly, the graduation ceremony, and/or via other recognition programs.
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Diploma Pick Up

Diplomas will be available for pick-up in the counseling office on Friday, June 26th from 9am-2pm. Only a student or parent/legal guardian may pick up the diploma (parents, please be prepared to show your ID). If students need someone else to pick up their diploma (including siblings), they need to email Nicole Brenengen at nbrenengen@nsd.org to give approval.

Requests for diplomas to be mailed MUST be emailed to nbrenengen@nsd.org and include the mailing address.

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Final Transcripts

Your final, official transcript will be sent to the College or University listed on your Senior Survey at the end of June. All seniors will receive an unofficial transcript with their diploma packet to be picked up on 6/26.

For future transcript requests, official or unofficial, please complete the Transcript Request Form and email your request to nbrenengen@nsd.org.

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Access your unofficial transcript in StudentVUE

If you need an unofficial transcript, which is a record of all high school classes you’ve taken, they are uploaded for you to StudentVUE.  Transcripts are helpful to access when completing college applications.  Look for the documents tab in StudentVUE - it’s there!

Preparing for Senior Year and Life After High School
 

Letter of Recommendations Document

BHS 2025-26 School Profile

For assistance with a college application question please reach out to your counselor or BJ Dawson.
 

11th & 12th Grader's Guide For Navigating College Admissions and Financial Aid - English Version

11th & 12th Grader's Guide For Navigating College Admission and Financial Aid - Spanish Version

12th grade "What you need to know"

12th grade "Career and transfer planning" information

2025 - 2026 Higher Education Handbook.  This handbook provides descriptions of two and four-year public and private, non-profit institutions of higher education in Washington State and other important information.