The Baccalaureate Service is an interfaith service of thanksgiving. The first baccalaureate service dates back to 1432 at Oxford University, England.

Baccalaureate is a Latin word meaning the bachelor’s degree, its literal meaning is bacca (berry) plus laureus (of laurel) – the kind of prize that ancient olympians received for winning a track or field event. The name remains although your prize is more valuable – a degree! For most of you, that degree represents a fair amount of hard work and sacrifice by many people; your parents and other members of your family, your teachers, probably some friends and, of course, yourself.

In thanksgiving, a Baccalaureate Service will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 4:00 pm, under the tent on the Oval. (Students do not need to wear caps and gowns for this ceremony; but they should dress in business attire.) Graduation is a most appropriate occasion for thanksgiving. The Service will end by 5:00 pm and the Senior Toast follows immediately after.

Please report to the Sutter Gymnasium of the Spiro Sports Center no later than 3:30 pm. Students will line up inside of the building for the Baccalaureate Processional.