The information on CHAPTS.org is compiled by parent volunteers, and the website hosting fees are paid for through membership donations.  If you find this resource useful, please consider supporting the Chaparral HS Association of Parents and Teachers by becoming a CHAPTS member.

 

Information for Seniors

Senior year is a busy one for students and parents! Bookmark this page and check back frequently for new information as it's added.  Parents who have registered on CHAPTS.org may also receive emails from us with important information just for Senior families, so please make sure your email address and your student's grade are correct in your family profile. 

Save the Dates

April 29 - Prom

May 18 - Senior Breakfast

May 24 - Graduation, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

May 24 - Project Grad, Octane Raceway, 9:30pm-12:30am

 

See more about what to expect this year in Senior Milestones and Traditions, below! 

 

Caps and Gowns

Caps and gowns will be delivered to Chaparral in May, shortly before graduation.

 

Jostens offers several different packages that include caps and gowns, and some are very expensive. Students won’t need anything other than what’s called a “cap and gown unit,” which includes a tassel and costs approximately $50, including delivery to the school. (Please talk with your counselor if this presents a hardship - Financial aid available and supported by CHAPTS Membership Donations.)  

 

In honor of Chaparral High School’s 50th Anniversary, the graduation committee has voted for the student robes to be in one of Chaparral's original colors, RED this year instead of black.  Faculty and staff will continue to wear black.

 

If the product image of the cap and gown was black when you made your purchase, don't worry - the gowns will be delivered according to the school's specifications, so no matter what color the product image was when you placed your order, the gown will be red when it arrives.  

 

Graduation Speeches

Students interested in giving a speech at graduation should plan to attend a 5-minute meeting with Mrs. MacColl (room F214) on March 6th or March 7th during 5th Hour Lunch where they can pick up an information packet about auditions for 2023 Graduation. 

 

Senior Sunrise

Senior Sunrise was on October 19th, from 6:00 A.M. to 7:30 A.M., on the football field. Coffee and doughnuts were provided by Black Rock Coffee and CHAPTS! (Thank you, CHAPTS members!)

 

Student-Organized Disney Trip

This year, in honor of Chaparral's 50th anniversary, students have been working on installing a new tradition to celebrate one of the happiest nights of a high school senior's life: graduation. Every year, Disneyland hosts an event known as Grad Nite in which students have the opportunity to attend both Disney theme parks during the day and to attend the Grad Nite celebration in California Adventure that evening. This exclusive event occurs between 9 pm and 2 am, and high school graduates have the entire park to themselves. 

 

Senior Photos

Yearbook photos for seniors include a full-body and standard head and shoulders photo. You can book your student's FREE photo session at the Glendale location of Grads Photography online.  You'll be asked to select Chaparral when booking, and the staff are familiar with the Chaparral yearbook format.

 

Please note that while Grads offers several Senior Photo packages at varying price points, there is the option to have yearbook photos taken for free - choose the packaged labeled "Simple" when you book your appointment. Staff at the photography studio will choose the photo that will be included in the yearbook. (Screenshot)

 

Per Grads Photography, students are asked to conform to the following dress code: no clothing with inappropriate words or images; tank tops or spaghetti strap tops are fine as long as straps are visible in the image; skirts/shorts should be no more than 3" above the knee; no bare midriffs.  

 

The deadline for senior pictures was December 8.

Senior Yearbook Ads

Senior Ads can be purchased online through The Yearbook Company. The Senior Ads are typically messages from families to their graduates, but can also be senior friend groups, teams, etc. The Ads vary in size from ¼ page to a Full Page. The price for the Ads change on 10/4, 11/10 and the FINAL deadline is 12/8. Please contact Mr. Sandys, Yearbook Club Supervisor, with any questions about content or pricing.  

College Counseling and Guidance

The College and Career Center is a resource area for students to seek information and guidance for all paths taken in high school and beyond. Angela Vaught-Trier, Chaparral's College & Career coordinator, has lots of great information about colleges, career resources, things happening in our community, and military pathways. During the school year, students should check the website frequently for new information and to sign up for information sessions with visiting college admissions representatives.  

 

Counselors will be meeting with Seniors a few weeks into the start of the new school year to distribute updated transcripts with class rank and discuss letters of recommendation and college applications. All senior parents are invited to attend  “Coffee with the Counselors” on Friday, August 19th at 9 am, on Chaparral’s campus, in room J600.  Please sign in at the front office. During this session we will review everything we plan to present to your senior during English class. A power point will be available of our presentation on the Counseling Department webpage.

 

Scholarships

Future Teacher Scholarships

Since 1999, The Charro Foundation has awarded in-state scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in the Scottsdale Unified School District who plan to pursue a career in teaching. The Charros know how very important teachers are to the community and we are glad that you have an interest in becoming an educator.  Two scholarship recipients receive $20,000 to be awarded at $5,000 per academic year.

Deadline: January 27, 2023

Learn more here: https://charros.com/the-charro-foundation-future-teacher-scholarship-application/

 

Scottsdale Community College Scholarship

The Scottsdale Charros have been proud supporters of Scottsdale Community College since the school’s inception in the 1960s. In the spring of 2015, the Charros introduced The Charro Foundation Scottsdale Community College Scholarship, awarding a $5,000 ($2,500 per year for two years) scholarship to a student who graduated from high school in the Scottsdale Unified School District. One scholarship recipient receives $2,500 deposited to Scottsdale Community College in July of 2023 for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Deadline: January 27, 2023

Learn more here: https://charros.com/the-charro-foundation-scc-scholarship-application/

 

Senior milestones and traditions

Senior Yard Signs What Is It?  Sturdy, weather-resistant "Proud Home of a Senior" firebird yard signs sold by CHAPTS to help offset the cost of senior events for students otherwise unable to pay.   When Is It? You can pick one up at Friday’s Coffee with the Counselors and at other on-campus events. Watch for opportunities for online ordering later this year.  What Do I Need To Do?  Yard signs are available now in the CHAPTS Spiritwear Store!

Caps and Gowns

What Is It? 

Chaparral students are asked to purchase caps and gowns from Josten’s for the graduation ceremony. 

When Is It?

Information will be emailed home from the school with information about how to purchase online, and the caps and gowns will be delivered to the school for student pickup shortly before graduation. 

What Do I Need To Do? 

Jostens offers several different packages that include caps and gowns, and some are very expensive. Students won’t need anything other than what’s called a “cap and gown unit,” which is usually listed for about $35. (Please talk with your counselor if this presents a hardship - Financial aid available and supported by CHAPTS Membership Donations.)

 

Graduation What Is It?  The final ceremony honoring the end of your student's K-12 education.  When Is It? The evening of Wednesday, May 24.  What Do I Need To Do?  Watch for more information from the school as plans are finalized!

 

Project Grad What Is It?  A Chaparral tradition: a late-night party for seniors immediately following graduation. Started in the 1980s as a way to reduce drunk driving fatalities among teens and young adults, Project Grad is a nationwide program of post-graduation parties. Chaparral's Project Grad includes all-you-can-eat food, racing, casino and arcade games, axe-throwing, fortune tellers, a DJ, lots of coffee, and a huge raffle. Over 50% of the senior class attends each year. Your Senior won't want to miss it.   When Is It? Immediately after graduation at Octane Raceway. What Do I Need To Do?  Registration opens March 27! We’ll need lots of help planning and the night of the event, and there’s a discount for early registration. Supported by CHAPTS Membership Donations!

 

Senior Awards Night What Is It?  Graduates in the top 10% of the graduating class, receiving an outstanding Senior award, or receiving an APT scholarship and their families are invited to attend an awards ceremony in the Chaparral auditorium When Is It? Usually the week before graduation. What Do I Need To Do?  Graduates who are invited to attend will receive a printed or emailed invitation in May. Watch for opportunities to apply for a scholarship from CHAPTS or the APTs from Chaparral’s feeder schools this winter.  Awards and scholarships supported by CHAPTS Membership Donations!

 

Senior Sunrise

What Is It? 

Senior sunrise is organized by Student Government. 12th graders meet before school on the football field to kick off their senior year. 

When Is It?

It’s usually held mid-Fall. 2022 Senior Sunrise scheduled for 10/19/22!

What Do I Need To Do? 

Nothing! This is a students-only event. Just make them take pictures for you! 

 

Senior Breakfast What Is It?  Organized by StuGo, each year the graduating class gathers for a few hours in the last few weeks of school to announce senior superlatives and celebrate the end of the school year.   When Is It? It’s usually on a weekday morning the week before graduation. Students will be excused for 1st and 2nd periods. Seniors are asked to dress nicely and remember that they are representing Chaparral. What Do I Need To Do?  Tickets are sold by StuGo in the bookstore and seniors will receive a permission slip in their English classes that must be submitted with payment. (Financial Aid supported by  CHAPTS Membership Donations!)

 

Memory Lane What Is It?  One of the features of the Senior Breakfast is a row of Memory Lane posters, photo collages created by Senior parents for their student.   When Is It? Posters must be returned to the office the day before so they can be hung up at the resort the night before Senior Breakfast.  What Do I Need To Do?  Think about images you might want to include on your poster - people often include baby pictures, candid shots of their child with friends, or graduation photos.  Starting in late March, you’ll be able to either pick up a blank poster in the office or download a template from the CHAPTS website.  Make sure your poster is in the office the day before Senior Breakfast. We'll also need lots of volunteers to help hang the posters the evening before the Senior Breakfast.  Sign up here to be on our volunteer list!  Supported by CHAPTS Membership Donations!

Senior Sunset What Is It?  Senior sunset is organized by Student Government and is an opportunity for seniors to gather and take pictures. When Is It? It’s usually held at the end of the school year. What Do I Need To Do?  Nothing! This is a students-only event.

 

Senior Fees What Is It?  Part of the graduation check-out process includes making sure Seniors don't have any outstanding fees. When Is It? All senior debts/fees/fines should be paid in the bookstore by cash or check or online with a credit card at touchbase.susd.org by mid-May. What Do I Need To Do?  Check touchbase for outstanding fines or fees and either make payment online or send a check with your student to the bookstore.  Seniors should return all textbooks, library books and Windows tablets as soon as they are no longer using them. If a book or Windows tablet has been lost, full payment of the book/tablet is necessary to clear the debt.

 

Senior Check-Out What Is It?  The check-out process verifies that students have met all requirements to graduate When Is It? Seniors will get a check-out form at school in mid-May that will need to be submitted to the bookstore a few days before graduation. What Do I Need To Do?  Keep an eye on your email in mid-May and check in with your student if you haven’t heard anything by May 20th.    Senior Survey What Is It?  The Senior Survey helps the counseling office know what colleges students applied to, were accepted to, and will be attending. This information is very helpful to future classes.  The senior survey is also where seniors can request their final transcript be sent to the college they're attending.  It's an important part of senior check out and must be completed before graduation.  When Is It? Counselors always hope to have them completed by mid-May so they can start sending out final transcripts immediately after graduation. What Do I Need To Do?  Remind your student to visit the About Me tab on Naviance to complete the survey as soon as their college plans are final.

 

Class of 2022

Graduation and Project Grad Photos and Video

• Parents should have received emails from Grads Photography in late May with information about purchasing their student's individual photos from graduation.
• Shari Miller of SLM Images was on the field during the ceremony and has uploaded all of her pictures for free download on her site.  
• An official photographer from SUSD was also at graduation, and those photographs can be downloaded here for free.  
• As you may have noticed, the livestream of the graduation ceremony was pulled down from YouTube due to a music licensing issue. Thanks to the staff at Latest Craze Productions (including a Class of 2022 parent!), we were able to obtain a recording for parents to download. If you'd like a copy of the video, you can download it here.   
• Finally, if you'd like to see all the fun from Project Grad, you can view and download all of the official photographer's pictures here (password is grad22)

 

 

 

 

The information on CHAPTS.org is compiled by parent volunteers, and the website hosting fees are paid for through membership donations.  If you find this resource useful, please consider supporting the Chaparral HS Association of Parents and Teachers by becoming a CHAPTS member.