LDHS Graduation Relocated to Gymnasium; Ticket Limits Apply

Laurens County School District 55 has announced updated graduation information due to more inclement weather forecasted and the current conditions of K.C. Hanna Stadium. Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS) graduation will now take place on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Laurens District High School Gymnasium. Graduates must attend graduation practice on May 28, 2026 at 9:00 AM in order to participate in the ceremony on May 29, 2026.Graduates will receive five (5) tickets and four (4) parking passes at graduation practice. The ceremony will be live-streamed on YouTube via the school website (http://www.ldhsraiders.org) and the Laurens District 55 High School Facebook page.

Ticket Information:

Inclement Weather Plan

• Graduation moved to Laurens High Gymnasium.
• Five (5) White tickets per graduate; there are no extra tickets for purchase.
• Tickets include handicap seating.
• All guests, regardless of age, must present a ticket for entry.
• Late arrivals will not be permitted in gymnasium, doors close at 10:00 AM.

Ceremony Conduct, Seating, and Accessibility:

• Campus gates open at 8:30 AM and Gym doors at 9:00 AM. Seating is first-come, first-served. Guests will enter through the main entrance into the commons area of the school and be lined up inside the school hallways for entry into the gymnasium.
• All guests pass through metal detectors and must follow the clear bag policy. Umbrellas, balloons, and flowers are prohibited.
• Handicapped guests with a SCDMV parking placard and the LDHS pink parking pass will be directed to handicap parking on either side of the main gym. The handicapped guest and one companion will be directed to accessible seating through the L-building. All seating requires a ticket.
• Photography is allowed only from your assigned seat. Ceremony recording will be available for purchase on the Laurens District 55 High website (http://www.ldhsraiders.org).
• The Class of 2026 requests applause be reserved until all names are read. Remain seated until the recessional concludes.
• Silence all cell phones and electronic devices during the ceremony. Following the ceremony, graduates will return to their classrooms to collect personal items and then meet family members at vehicles or a designated location before departing campus.

Parking Information

• Graduates will receive four (4) pink parking passes. All vehicles must have a parking pass to enter.
• Arrival at Laurens District 55 High School (LDHS):
  • Traveling to LDHS from West Main Street – turn right onto Whelon Road and continue to Raider Road (John K. Hendricks Memorial Mile). Turn left onto Raider Road and utilize Gate 5 or Gate 3 for Public Parking. You will be instructed where to park upon arrival.
  • Traveling to LDHS from Hickory Tavern – turn left off Highway 76 into the Bus Gate. You will be instructed where to park upon arrival
  • Traveling to LDHS from Highway 14, turn onto Whelon Road behind Welcome Baptist Church. Turn right onto Raider Road (John K. Hendricks Memorial Mile) and continue to Gate 5 or Gate 3 for Public Parking. You will be instructed where to park upon arrival.
• Departure After the Ceremony
  • Law enforcement will be directing all traffic for departure.

Graduate Information

• Graduates should arrive on campus no later than 9:00 AM and report to their designated classrooms.

Attire Guidelines:

• Appropriate attire must be worn under the graduation gown.
  • Recommended: white dress with neutral shoes, or khaki pants and a white shirt with neutral shoes. Collared shirts with ties or bow ties are recommended for male graduates. Tennis shoes and flip flops are prohibited.
• Only approved cords or stoles may be worn. Homemade stoles are not permitted.
• Robes should be ironed in advance.
• Mortarboards may not be decorated; solid gold tassels hang on the right side. Bring necessary items such as bobby pins or straight pins to hold the mortarboard in place.
• All personal items must be left in designated classrooms during the ceremony. Classrooms will remain locked until the ceremony concludes.

For questions or additional information, contact Brooke Yarbrough at [email protected].