Graduation

Tickets are not required to attend any of the graduation ceremonies, and there are no guest limits. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Please take into consideration the following rules when decorating your graduation cap. Failure to follow these rules will result in the removal of the cap before the ceremony.

Graduation Cap decorations:

• Cannot contain any advertisement, symbols, abbreviations, initials, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that refer to drugs or controlled substances, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons or be of a sexual nature.  

• Cannot denote an affiliation with gangs or which advocate drug use, violence, illegal activity, or disruptive behavior which is detrimental to the safety and welfare of other students. 

• Cannot be obscene, profane, vulgar, or lewd – including languages other than English. 

• Cannot threaten the safety and welfare of any person.  

• Cannot make noise. No bells, horns, or anything that makes noise

• Only the flat, top area of the mortar board may be decorated. There may be nothing hanging down from any of the sides of the cap.

It is appropriate to put the following on your cap.

• Thank a parent, grandparent, teacher, friend

• Recognize the university you will be attending

• Your graduation year

• The branch of the military you will be joining

Students, we highly suggest you trace your cap onto cardboard and decorate the cardboard. If you make a mistake, you can start over with a new piece of cardboard. We will not furnish new caps if you mess yours up decorating.

After you decorate it, stick it to your cap with double-sided tape or Velcro stickers. Velcro tape can be purchased at any fabric store, Target, Wal-Mart, and many CVS and Walgreens stores.

Administration will reserve the right to disallow anything that is not considered appropriate for the commencement ceremony.

Regalia:

• Students are allowed to wear cultural stoles.

• No draping flags will be allowed over Graduation gowns

• Students are allowed to wear stoles representing district/school-sponsored teams and classes (i.e. Cheerleaders, band, dance, etc.). 

• Students are not allowed to wear stoles representing student or teacher-sponsored clubs and activities.  

Cords: 

• Students are ONLY allowed to wear cords that have been issued by their campus.

Graduates should remember that this is a formal event, recognizing their efforts, along with those of their families and teachers. Graduates are encouraged to dress in business casual attire and footwear. Gentlemen should all wear pants. Shorts, flip-flops, and other casual sandals are NOT permitted.

Graduates will meet at their campus at a designated time and ride via buses to The H-E-B Center where they will be staged for their graduation ceremony. Graduates are free to leave the facility with their families. Graduates not picked up by family will be provided transportation back to their campus after the ceremony.

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park is equipped with 2,600 general parking spaces. Handicapped parking spaces are available closest to the building. These spaces are limited and fill up fast, so please plan to arrive early. The Valet parking lot will be used as a drop-off/rideshare› area only. Please reference the diagram below for lot locations and entry information.

Cars, Pick-up Trucks, SUV's: $7.90+$1.70 convenience fee in advance | $10.00 day of

We strongly encourage pre-purchasing parking prior to the day of graduation. Passes can be pre-purchased online.

Credit card-only payments will be accepted for the day of parking purchases.

The H-E-B Center sets their parking rates, which are subject to change.

VETERAN PARKING: H-E-B Center offers complimentary parking to disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients with valid vehicle plates. Please notify the parking attendant upon arrival at the facility.

Noisemakers and balloons are not permitted in the H-E-B Center. Outside flowers WILL be allowed in the H-E-B Center, no glass vases are allowed. There will be flowers available for purchase at the center as well.

Please expect to go through a standard security screening process upon entering H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. The screening process includes a bag search, metal detection with walk-through magnetometers and hand-held wands.

• Anyone refusing to participate in the security screening will not permitted to enter the facility.

• If you are unable to go through a magnetometer, please let a security guard know and they will accommodate.

• We strongly recommend the use of a clear bag to expedite the screening process.

Please refer to the image below to ensure your bags comply with the policy:

• Weapons (knives, guns, pepper spray, fireworks, etc.)

• Noisemakers (air horns, whistles, rattlers, cowbells, thunder sticks and any other item that could distract others)

• Banners and/or flags

  • Signs are limited to a poster board size, 22”x28” – the sign must not obstruct the view of the stage for other guests

• Balloons (helium, mylar, latex, etc.)

• Coolers

• Outside food and beverage

• Tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks

• Umbrellas larger than 12” in length

• If you have specific questions regarding items that may or may not be allowed, please contact H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Security by email at events@hebcenter.com

The venue’s concessionaire, RS3, will be operating multiple concession stands that offer a wide variety of food and beverages available for purchase. For specific food offering, please visit our website http://www.hebcenter.com/plan-your-visit/arena-food-beverage

The center DOES NOT accept cash for concession purchases.

• Guest Services Ushers will be available to assist in finding seats as needed.

• Sitting in aisles is not permitted per the Cedar Park Fire Department.

Sections 103 and 120 will have designated wheelchair access. Section 116 will have a Sign Language Interpreter available. Please visit the Guest Services Desk behind section 121 on the concourse to secure a wheelchair escort or assisted listening device. Please note both are first come, first served, and wheelchairs may not be kept during the ceremony. Wheelchair escorts will take you to and from your seating.

• There is NO smoking inside H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, including the use of electronic cigarettes, vapes and vape pens

• Designated smoking areas are on the north and south 2nd level loge balconies and the Craft Beer Corner & Patio

All strollers and baby carriers must be checked in at the Guest Services desk behind Section 121. They are not permitted within the arena seating.

• H-E-B Center at Cedar Park’s first aid station is located behind Section 109 in the South Entrance lobby

• See an H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Guest Services or Security representative for additional assistance

• Photography and video are permitted during the ceremony, please note all camera bags will be searched upon entry

• Tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are not permitted

• Remember to charge all batteries before coming to the ceremony, as there will be no place to plug in chargers

Cell phones and other mobile devices can be very distracting and must be kept in silent or vibrate mode during the ceremony.

• The Guest Services desk is a great place to find out information, including help regarding lost guests in your party, hearing assistance devices, wheelchair services, and information about future events

• You can find the Guest Services desk behind Section 121 on the main concourse.

• We strongly encourage you to discuss an exterior post-ceremony meeting location with your graduate prior to the ceremony. Graduates will proceed out of the building immediately as part of the Recessional.

  • Graduates will exit the North and South Entrances depending on how they are seated on the floor.

• We recommend using the grass area outside of the East Main Entrance (front of the building) near the flag poles, reference image below. This will help you reconnect with your graduate faster!

To learn more about area hotels and restaurants, please visit https://www.hebcenter.com/plan-your-visit.

For family and friends unable to attend the event, a live stream of all PfISD graduation ceremonies will be accessible. A link to the ceremonies will be on the district’s website.