CLASS OF 2026
Keep up to date on Senior activities during the 2025-26 school year!
If you have any questions about graduation, please contact Starr Gray, Director of Student Activities.
Commencement
SUNDAY May 31, 2026, 9:00 - 11:00am (graduates in Knauss Gym by 8:15am)
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We were excited to welcome graduates and their families to campus for this year's Commencement!​​
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Tickets
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Each graduate will receive 10 tickets for their family and friends.
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To accommodate the 3,000+ attendees arriving at campus, seven reserved seats will be on the Lower Field. The three additional tickets will be for open seating in the bleachers. Tickets will be distributed at graduation rehearsal.​​​
Many more details to come.
College Counseling Updates
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If you haven't completed your Senior Questionnaire, please do so ASAP so your counselor can schedule your Senior College Meeting.
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Drop-in application support during flex periods is happening!
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Seniors should have their applications reviewed by their counselor before submitting. As a reminder, counselors will not be available during Thanksgiving break, so plan accordingly!
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UC and CSU application deadline is November 30th (though since on a Sunday, some have shifted that to December 1. Check with each campus.)
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Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible.
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Questions about College Counseling? Email your student's counselor.
Senior-Parent/Guardian Mass
Rescheduled.
The Senior-Parent/Guardian Mass has been rescheduled to the early part of the spring semester. Thank you, senior parents and guardians, for your flexibility. We will share a new date in the coming weeks. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Senior Class Gift
Join senior families in celebrating the Class of 2026!
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This year’s Senior Class Gift honors the teachers and counselors who have guided your seniors along the way. Gifts support the Fund for Faculty Excellence, which invests in professional development and helps O’Dowd recruit and retain exceptional educators—ensuring future Dragons enjoy the same outstanding experience.
Senior families recently received communications about this special campaign, and parent volunteers from the Senior Class Gift Committee will be reaching out personally to encourage participation.
Help us reach our $100,000 goal and show your gratitude by making a gift in honor of your senior today! Make your gift online here.
Senior Ads
Your student’s final year at O’Dowd is here—mark the moment with a Senior Tribute Ad in the 2026 Yearbook!
The deadline to purchase and design a Senior Ad is January 10, 2026. Space is limited, so do not wait!
You can design your ad directly on the site or upload a finished design using tools like Canva or Photoshop (size dimensions attached). Note: We do not offer 1/8 page ads.
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Ad Pricing:
Go to www.yearbookforever.com and search for “O’Dowd” to get started. Prices, sizes, and dimensions are the same as last year; add 3% service fee for online orders.
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Full-page ads (approximately 8.67 x 11.67 inches (52p0.24 x 70p0.24 picas); max 11 photos) = $450
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Half-page ads (approximately 8.67 x 5.84 inches (52p0.24 x 35p0.48 picas); max 7 photos) = $285
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Quarter-page ads (approximately 4.34 x 5.84 inches (26p0.48 x 35p0.48 picas); max 4 photos) = $190
Many families choose to feature individual students, while others highlight groups—such as 8th-grade classmates graduating together!
Need an extra yearbook? You can order one through the same site.
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Questions? Email Damian Barnes.
Caps, Gowns, & Announcements
Information soon.
Senior Class Meeting & Behavior Contract
Each spring, our deans hold a Senior Class Meeting to review behavior, attendance, and academic expectations ahead of our seniors' last few months at O'Dowd. After the meeting, students and their parents/guardians will receive an email with the Senior Contract. This year, the Senior Class Meeting will be on February 4 and April 15 during club/office hours. Thank you for your partnership!
Senior Ball
May 16, 2026, 6:30 - 10:00pm
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This year's Senior Ball will take place at tbd...​
Senior Sunset and BBQ
May 20, 2026, 6:00 - 8:15pm
Celebrate the sun setting on your senior year at O'Dowd with your class. Come enjoy food, music and each other on the CES Patio. Bring your yearbooks and pens!​​
Grad Nite
May 21 - 22, 2026
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There are no classes on May 22 for those not attending Grad Nite.
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Graduation Rehearsal
TBD. Usually the Wednesday or Thursday before graduation.
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All seniors are required to attend Graduation Rehearsal on the Lower Field. Students must be present to receive their Commencement tickets and parking pass.
Baccalaureate Mass
All graduates and their families were invited to the Baccalaureate Mass on May 29, 2026, in the Knauss Family Gymnasium. Celebrate the seniors in their last Mass at O'Dowd and pray for their continued success after graduation.
O'Dowd Alumni Exit Survey
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Seniors! Stay-up-to-date with O'Dowd! As we welcome you as the newest alumni in the O'Dowd community, please make sure to look for the Alumni Exit Survey. Remember, you are Forever a Dragon.
Mark Your Calendars
September 2025
25 Senior & Family College Night
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October
3 CSU App workshop (drop-in; club/office hr time)
17 SAT for Seniors (optional, must register)
29 Senior Sunrise
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November
5 Senior Portrait makeups/retakes.
30 UC and CSU application deadline
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January 2026
10 Senior Ad Deadline
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February
tbd Confirm Diploma Name (email will be sent to Seniors)
4 Senior Class Meeting/ Service Beyond High School panel
March
tbd FAFSA Priority Deadline
tbd Submit Gown Size Through Achievers Website
April
15 Senior Class Meeting
21 No classes for seniors (Career Day for others)
tbd Senior Contract due to Ms. Donahue
tbd Supporting Your 12th Grader's Transition to College
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May
tbd Senior Award Ceremony (6:30 - 7:30pm)
16 Senior Ball (6:30 - 10:00pm), No classes for seniors
20 Senior Sunset & BBQ (6:00 - 8:15pm)
21-22 Grad Nite
22 No classes for seniors
26-29 Finals
tbd Graduation Rehearsal (1:30 - 3:15pm)
29 Baccalaureate Mass (5:00 - 6:30pm)
31 SUNDAY, Commencement Ceremony, Lower Field at 9:00am (graduates arrive 8:15am)
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June
tbd Diplomas Available in Main Office, 10am - 1pm
tbd Complete the Alumni Exit Survey
Past Events will move below here
Senior Portrait Makeups/Retakes
November 5, 2025
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Senior Portrait makeups/retakes will be on Wednesday, November 5 in the James T. Bill ’55 Theater lobby. You must sign up for an appointment to take your photo that day. Sign up here. This is your last chance to take your Senior Portrait to be able to make it into the yearbook.
Our photographer also has in-studio appointments available.
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Questions about Senior Events? Contact Ms. Gray.
Senior Sunrise
October 29, 2025, 7:15 - 8:30am
Sunrise is at 7:31am
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Grab a warm sweater, and a sleeping bag or blanket and head to our Lower Field on Wednesday, October 29 for one of our special traditions: Senior Sunrise!
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Parents and Guardians - We need your help! Please volunteer to make breakfast goodies for the seniors to enjoy while watching the sunrise.