Trees for the Future Success Stories

For every diploma frame sold, Herff Jones and Framing Success provide funds to Trees for the Future to plant one tree. These trees are planted with purpose to benefit impoverished communities like the farmers highlighted below.

Take a look at the stories below to see how your frame purchase can have a direct impact on communities in need. Learn more about the Herff Jones and Framing Success partnership with Trees for the Future here and the employee who started it all here.

Name: Susan Wanjiku
Location: Ikinu, Kenya

Susan smiles ear to ear when talking about the transformation she and her land have undergone since joining Trees for the Future in 2016. When she started, her situation was “not very good at all,” but today she knows how to plan and optimize her land to its fullest potential. Her family used to have very limited food options from their homestead and endured long periods of little variety in their diets. Now, she shows off her tomatoes, passion fruit, tree tomato, papaya, maize, cabbage, kale and potatoes — and that is just one section of her garden! She is able to eat a more diverse diet, while still having plenty of excesses to sell at market. Success at the market has allowed her to pay school fees for her children and grandchildren. As she talks about the future, she also shares her hope to establish enough capital to set up a grocery and produce store in the coming year. Susan’s plans for the future have grown substantially since starting the program, and she looks forward to maintaining her Forest Garden for years to come while teaching her children and grandchildren the valuable lessons she has learned through her training.

Name: Samuel Makena
Location: Ikinu, Kenya

Samuel lives on his one-acre plot with his wife and three children. Year after year he grew the same crops with diminishing results. His soil was exhausted and he didn’t know how to improve his land and circumstance. He felt like his land was without plan or purpose, but in 2016 Samuel joined Trees for the Future and that all changed. He soon learned the importance of rotating his crops, his TREES technician taught him how to build a nursery and he began planning and planting with purpose. Samuel says his biggest success has come from learning to grow tomatoes in the off-season. Using his seasonal calendar training, Samuel is now planning his tomato crops around the high-demand periods when the market is void of tomatoes, and he is producing in droves. Where he used to grow only a few crops, Samuel now tends to many different vegetables, grains and fruits. With a living fence protecting his garden, fodder trees to feed his cows, fruit trees to feed his family and a variety of healthy vegetables year-round, Samuel said simple, “My land is smart.” Today, he is proud of his land and is thankful to be able to pass it down to his children and grandchildren someday.

Name: Obia Philip
Location: Kole, Uganda

Obia lives with his four children and wife in Kole, Uganda, and is finishing his second year with the Forest Garden Program. Obia finally feels secure feeding his family during the dry season. He and his wife previously grew only maize and sorghum on his land — harvesting and selling a few times a year. They needed to live off of their biannual proceeds year-round, which required careful savings and planning. This left them vulnerable to problems with their crops such as disease or pests, and dependent on unpredictable market prices. Now, Obia grows onions, eggplant, green pepper, tomato, pumpkin and boyo (a local leafy green) from seeds provided by Trees for the Future. Learning about the benefits of a vegetable garden, as well as the benefits of intercropping, Obia has added sweet potatoes, yams, sesame and cabbages on his own. He now has vegetables and fruits available on his own land throughout the year and his family no longer worries where their next meal will come from.

Name: Ramadhani Magwe
Location: Tumuli, Tanzania

Ramadhani thanks Trees for the Future for giving his land a plan. Previously, Ramadhani broadcast seeds across his soil and hoped for the best. Much of his land was wasted and unused. He’s now thoughtful about how he plants, creating a living fence around his plot, and planting his seedlings in a nursery. He places his seedlings in well-spaced rows, and intercrops with trees. Through Trees for the Future, Ramadhani joined a farmer group, where he gets support and shares ideas. Together, they’ve built a larger nursery and spend time helping one another.

Name: Safia Bakari Hongoa
Location: Tumuli, Tanzania

Ending her second year, Safia looks forward to her vegetables growing for her family to eat and to sell at market. She will grow okra, pumpkin, amaranth and spinach, alongside the sunflowers, maize, and chickpeas she currently grows. Through her training with Trees for the Future, Safia’s land has been given renewed purpose. She plans and plants crops thoughtfully to maximize her land and the health of the soil. Moreover, she enjoys the camaraderie of her farmer group and often barters and trades among the group. With the proceeds from selling vegetables at the market, Safia looks forward to establishing savings for the first time and hopes her children will be able to attend higher education.

SHOP FRAMING SUCCESS

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Birthstone Meanings

January

Stone: Garnet
Meaning: Protection
Color: Dark Red

Garnets were the most popular gemstone in the later years of the Roman Empire. The gem always looks like it is emitting light, which led travelers to carry them to light up the night.

Perfect for: Students who seek passion, focus and a touch of ancient wisdom.

February

Stone: Amethyst/Ultralite
Meaning: Wisdom
Color: Violet

Amethyst (Ultralite) is said to strengthen relationships and give its wearer courage. Ancient Greeks thought the gem would clear their heads and help with quick thinking.

Perfect for: Students who seek clarity, peace and enhanced academic focus.

March

Stone: Aquamarine
Meaning: Serenity
Color: Blue

Aquamarine has a calming, soothing energy reminiscent of sea water and clear skies. Sailors brought aquamarine stones on voyages for calming purposes like getting a good night sleep.

Perfect for: Students who desire calmness, communication and inspiration for creative thinking.

April

Stone: White Sapphire
Meaning: Strength
Color: Clear

White sapphires have long been said to bring wisdom and strength through clarity and energy. They reveal talent and potential when the wearer is faced with difficult choices or circumstances.

Perfect for: Students who value clarity, determination and timeless elegance in their academic journey.

May

Stone: Emerald
Meaning: Hope
Color: Dark Green

The dark green of emerald hints at the renewal and revival of springtime. Legend says this was one of Cleopatra’s favorite stones.

Perfect for: Students who seek growth, inspiration and a touch of sophistication in their academic pursuits.

June

Stone: Alexandrite
Meaning: Love
Color: Varies

The transparent yellow-green of alexandrite transforms in the sunlight, ranging from red to dark purple. This complex stone is thought to promote intuition, creativity and concentration.

Perfect for: Students who appreciate uniqueness, adaptability and transformation in their academic journey.

July

Stone: Ruby
Meaning: Vitality
Color: Red

Rubies have long been associated with good health and physical strength. A regal stone, the dark red of ruby is said to promote energy and safety.

Perfect for: Students who desire passion, vitality and determination in their academic endeavors.

August

Stone: Peridot
Meaning: Beauty
Color: Olive Green

Peridot gems stay the same color in both natural and artificial light, which led ancient Egyptians to associate this gem with beauty. Because the green endures through darkness, peridot is believed to fight off nightmares and bring confidence.

Perfect for: Students who seek clarity, renewal and positive energy in their academic journey.

September

Stone: Sapphire/Blue Spinel
Meaning: Truth
Color: Deep Blue

Sapphires (Blue spinel) are thought to ease pain and reduce stress. In the 17th century, the gem was popular among those searching for truth, meaning and honesty.

Perfect for: Students who value tranquility, focus and a touch of mystery in their academic pursuits.

October

Stone: Pink Sapphire
Meaning: Healing
Color: Pink

Pink sapphires are believed to bring wisdom and resilience into your life. These gems are said to assist in big life transitions as well as forgiveness, acceptance and letting go.

Perfect for: Students who embrace compassion, creativity and a radiant spirit in their academic endeavors.

November

Stone: Golden Sapphire
Meaning: Joy
Color: Dark Yellow

Golden sapphires inspire action — joyfully turning ideas and goals into reality. They are said to promote movement in exciting new directions.

Perfect for: Students who exude warmth and seek wisdom and ambition in their academic journey.

December

Stone: Blue Zircon
Meaning: Potential
Color: Blue

Blue zircon is associated with new potential leading to greater happiness. These gems are also believed to help you understand your feelings and turn your wishes into reality.

Perfect for: Students who value authenticity, innovation and creativity in their academic endeavors.

Now that you know what each stone means, it’s time to design your class ring!

START DESIGNING A CLASS RING

Herff Jones offers simulated birthstones and premium stones.

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Ultimate Checklist for Your Senior Year

Being a high school senior is a crazy time of life — so many things are often happening within a family, from after-school activities, planning for what’s to come after high school, as well as celebrating throughout the year with school traditions like homecoming, prom and more.

We’ve put together the ultimate parent and student senior graduation checklist to help you get planning early in the year and to carry you through graduation day (and beyond). We encourage you to print this off and keep it on your fridge to make sure you stay on track to have the best year and graduation celebration there is!

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International Badge Day (Video)

Your Badge Says You Belong.

Our Name Says It Will Endure For Generations!

What is a badge? It’s a small piece of jewelry sorority and fraternity members wear close to their hearts. It is a new member’s first tangible symbol of membership, of belonging. The intrinsic meaning of a Greek pin or badge goes far beyond the metal and jewels used to create it. It serves as a lifelong reminder of when the brotherhood or sisterhood journey began. It’s a reminder of initiation day, when a gleaming badge was first pinned over their hearts.

Honoring the historic tradition of intricately crafted jewelry for sororities and fraternities, Herff Jones is deeply honored to serve as the official jeweler to more than 150 national and international Greek-letter organizations, helping to preserve the storied heritage and artistry of Greek jewelry.

Please enjoy this short video showing how sorority and fraternity badges are made, as we join you in celebrating International Badge Day.

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Graduating Senior: A Day in the Life

Want to know what graduation is really like? Check this out!

Like you, Maya couldn’t believe that graduation day (at Ben Davis High School) was finally approaching. Before now, walking across the stage wearing the ultimate symbol of achievement, her cap and gown, seemed like a day that would never come. Now she can finally say, I’m here. I made it.

Watch this short 5-minute film to see all that you have to look forward to on graduation day – the day you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

The first time putting on my cap and gown, it’s just gonna be, I’m here. I made it. I made it to this day where I’d been saying since freshman year, “It’s never gonna come. It’s never gonna come.” It’s here. What graduation means to me–it’s just, it’s just a time where we can leave all of our immaturity behind us and move on to what we need to do in our life. It’s a time where we just, came from all of our accomplishments and we just, can see each other succeed–like all of your friends succeed and just having those teachers, like Mr. Goings, just know that they care about you.

My name’s Dennis Goings. I teach TV broadcasting and I’m also the department chair for Performing Arts. This is my 15th year here at Ben Davis High School. I always like to use the word, being a fellow athlete, I like to use the word completion. It’s a completion of the first stage of your life that you move on to the next stage of your life and that cap and gown symbolizes that completion mode. In that particular day, they look their best. They’re all in that purple cap and gown and just to look out and see the sea of graduates is an awesome experience, but it’s just the beginning. The beginning of so many other awesome experiences. Graduation is something that they’ll remember the rest of their life.

My biggest support is my mom and my sister, definitely. They are always there to support me 100 percent. Always at my choir concerts, always at my tennis matches, always at everything. I’m really excited to do my speech and tell, tell my fellow classmates what I think they should hear. So I’m going to be talking about what we’ve accomplished this year and that’s regarding the extracurricular activities and the academics. And also, I’m going to focus on us just learning how to live in the moment. Putting on the cap and gown today will make me feel so accomplished. Just knowing that the past 13 years have just been able to pay off to this moment just makes me feel great. I  will know I’m a high school graduate when I turn the tassel with all my classmates and I get the honor to do that with all my cabinet members and my officers. When I take off the cap and gown today, the first people I want to see is all my family members.

It is my honor to now welcome the Ben Davis High School Class of 2017 class president, Miss Maya Carter.
“Good afternoon Dr. Butt, administration, faculty, family, friends, and of course the Class of 2017. I am honored to have the opportunity to speak here at the ceremony today. Oprah Winfrey, noted multi-millionaire spoke to an audience and stated, ‘Living in the moment means letting go of the past and not waiting for the future. It means living your life consciously, aware that each moment you breathe is a gift.’ I can remember my first day at Ben Davis high school like it was yesterday. I felt anxious walking through the double doors, thinking I would never be able to find my way around this enormous school. I looked down the hallways that just seemed to never end. However, now, although the school is still large with the teachers and coaches who have been there for us as mentors…being familiar with this school makes it seem so much smaller.”

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the graduates of the class of 2017!

“So now we celebrate, living out our last moment out of the class of 2017 Seniors. I challenge you to go out and do great things in life, one moment at a time.”

Do you have everything you need to walk across the stage in just a few short weeks? Check out the ultimate graduation checklist infographic or shop last minute essentials.

COMPLETE YOUR GRAD PACKAGE

Also, be sure to order your yearbook to remember these moments for years to come.

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Yearbook Marketing Ideas

TIPS TO PROMOTE YOUR YEARBOOK SALE

• School/community posters — place them at school in restrooms, lockers, library, gym and office; place in community at banks, post office(s), grocery stores, the mall, fast food hangouts and especially in the store windows of yearbook advertisers
• Principal or activity parent newsletter
• School radio or TV promotions
• Teasers in school before sale
• Fliers in halls, mailboxes, lockers or on local pizza delivery boxes
• Telemarketing after initial campaig
• “Don’t Forget” Card with a piece of string attached
• Channel One Ads — Top 10 reasons to buy a yearbook
• PA announcements. Use music — make them interesting
• News releases in local newspapers, on radio or TV
• Ads in the school newspaper
• School sign boards
• Soft drink can stickers. Use “crack & peel” paper
• Balloons during passing periods and after school
• Banners on the front or main entrance to the school
• Slide show to kick off sales
• Sidewalk chalking
• Staff shirts on day of kick-off
• Ads in football or basketball program. Inserts work well
• Letters to parents — Herff Jones has pre-designed ones available. Ask your Sales Representative for details
• Increase price after initial campaign to encourage early subscriptions. Follow-up postcards to remind parents that it’s not too late to order yearbooks
• Order postcards for students to complete; then invoice parents for these orders
• “Sneak Peak of the Week” — display posters in school with photos from yearbook!

Sources for this article include the Gettysburg Yearbook Experience notebook.

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50 Yearbook Survey Questions for Students

A STARTING PLACE FOR INTERVIEWS

We have provided some survey questions to ask high school students to inspire yearbook coverage ideas. Use these 50 top questions for surveys or as a jumping-off point for yearbook interviews.

• What is the most challenging task as a senior?
• What is the most creative excuse you’ve ever used to get out of a homework assignment?
• What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?
• Describe senioritis.
• Describe your senior year in three words.
• What has been the highlight of your senior year?
• Where do you imagine yourself 10 years from now?
• If you were told you couldn’t graduate unless you could prove your achievements from the past four years, what three examples would you use?
• Who do you think is the most influential person in the United States? Why?
• In some cultures, if you save someone’s life, he/she is forever in your debt. Who would you most want to be indebted to you?
• What do you collect and how long have you been collecting? Why?
• What sport should our school add next year and why?
• What is the one sacrifice you would not be willing to make, even if it meant solving all of the world’s problems?
• What is the strangest advice your parents ever gave you that proved to be correct?
• What trend or fad are you most embarrassed about being a part of?
• I am always happy to see…(a particular person) because…
• I am most grateful for…
• I am inspired by…(a person or event and why).
• I am disappointed with…
• I am waiting for…(some important event or circumstance).
• I will never forget…(most memorable event/person).
• Describe the scariest encounter you ever had.
• What was the dumbest saying of the year?
• What was the most meaningful assignment a teacher ever had you do?
• What is your greatest fear and have you ever tried to face it?
• Do you have any bad habits that you simply refuse to change? Explain.
• What is the most important quality in a friendship and why?
• Do you think high school is preparing you for college?
• Finish this sentence: “I could not live without…”
• Which one memory will you remember forever about your time here?
• Who has given you the best advice? What did they say?
• What is the worst thing about being a senior?
• What is your dream college and why?
• Which event did you most look forward to this year? Did it live up to expectations?
• If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?
• Finish this sentence:  “In 20 years, I’m going to be…”
• Describe a dramatic/serious experience that has altered your life completely.
• When you look back on this school in later years, what will you remember most?
• What is one outrageous thing you desperately want to try before you die?
• If you could move anywhere in the world, where would you move and why?
• Do you have a childhood toy that you refuse to give up? If so, what is it and why is it so special to you?
• What’s usually the first thought in your head when you wake up in the morning?
• Have you ever predicted an event and then had it happen? What was it?
• Do you have a special place where you go to be alone? If so, where is it and why is this place so special?
• What weird habit do you have when you’re nervous and how long has it been going on? (Ex. tap your foot, twirl your fingers, etc.)
• What excuses do you give people when you don’t want to go somewhere?
• What dreams do you have for the world of tomorrow?
• Do you have any scars that resemble something? If so, what and where?
• Who is your hero and why?
• If you were stranded on a desert island, what five things would you need to survive and why?

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Yearbook Staff Job Descriptions

Depending on how you have your staff set up, you may wish to modify some of the following job descriptions:

ADVISER

• Trains the staff to create the yearbook — but does not to do it for them. Gives advice and asks questions; however, the copy, the designs and the photos are produced by the students.
• Completes a final review of the content of each deadline prior to submission.
• Communicates clearly and often with the yearbook staff — putting communications in writing.
• Meets the day after each deadline to review what worked well and what could be improved.
• Selects the next year’s staff.

EDITOR

A good editor is critical to producing a good yearbook. The editor is responsible for the overall content and development of the yearbook. Though the duties are primarily supervisory, he or she can’t be above helping with the day-to-day tasks of putting the yearbook together. The editor must be able to manage and motivate the staff members.

• Works with adviser to select the staff and helps assign roles best suited to staffers’ skills.
• Updates existing staff manual materials and helps set policies and procedures.
• Coordinates summer meeting and workshop schedules and manages the staff at those functions
• Works with the adviser to set a training schedule for all new and returning staffers
• Issues assignments and makes sure those assignments are completed on time
• Manages or delegates all aspects of theme/concept work, including selection, development, design and production of cover, endsheets, title page, opening, dividers, closing and other related details
• Leads by example as a communicative, prompt, responsible, responsive, effective staffer whose concern is for the staff as a whole
• Completes the final check of all pages prior to submission and works with the adviser to ensure timely, correct submission of all deadlines to the plant.
• Assists adviser with assessments of each staffer’s participation and contribution following each deadline.
• Modifies policies and procedures as the year progresses to improve the process and the product.

LAYOUT EDITOR

• Assists the editor in finalizing the layout portions of the yearbook style guide.
• Helps the editor complete the overall book plan
• Trains the staff to design layouts
• Critiques layouts, suggesting changes and coaching designers so that their work improves as the year progresses.
• Answers all questions regarding design, so the editor can manage other aspects of production.
• Checks all pages for consistency, style and technical errors before they are submitted to editor/adviser for the final check.

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

• Selects and assigns photographers for each event.
• Tracks the school’s activity calender to be sure every event is photographed.
• Notifies subjects when photos are scheduled.
• Makes sure that no photo is used more than once.
• Checks to be sure that everyone has been photographed but no one has been photographed too much.
• Trains photographers to set up easy-to-identify group photos and to get the names of all people in the group.
• Schedules visits of the professional photographer.
• Coordinates the image management system so it’s easy to locate the photo files/negatives when needed.

COPY EDITOR

• Assists the editor in developing the copy portion of the yearbook style guide.
• Prepares information sheets for club advisers, class sponsors and coaches to complete.
• Trains staff members to write factual, interesting copy, captions and headlines.
• Reads all copy for spelling, grammar and journalistic style consistency.
• May assist the editor on theme, opening divider and closing copy.

SECTION EDITOR

• Assigns staffers to pages and deadlines within the section.
• Makes sure that copy and layouts are correct and consistent with the style guides.
• Coaches staffers to improve their stories, photo ideas and coverage strategies.
• Confirms that page editors have indexed all names and checked spelling of every name on every page in the section.

INDEX EDITOR

• Maintains an accurate list of every student, faculty member, administrator, school support person, advertiser, team, club, topic and section.
• Confirms that page editors have entered all names from copy and captions into the index or uses HJ Index Builder after each deadline to eliminate errors and update coverage reports.
• Notifies the photo editor and copy editor if some students are in too many candids and others in none.
• Supervises creation, formatting and submission of the final index.

PHOTOGRAPHER

• Carries a prepared camera at all times and is on the lookout for unexpected shots.
• Brainstorms possibilities for every assignment, including a variety of photo shapes, action, angles and perspectives.
• Notifies the photo editor in advance if he or she can’t meet an assignment.
• Confirms with page editors that shots provided fill all needs for the spread; if not arrange for another opportunity to shoot the assignment.

DESIGNER

• Works alone or with a team to complete assigned spreads.
• Completes photo request forms for each assigned spread.
• Chooses/crops/labels photos for each assigned spread.
• Inputs spreads into computer.
• Checks pages for completion before submission to editors.
• Is responsible for making all assigned deadlines.

COPY WRITER

• Brainstorms copy ideas and coverage concepts for each assigned spread.
• Conducts necessary interviews and research for all copy.
• Expands on their topics by adding supporting layers of coverage such as quote bars, timelines, personal profiles and more.
• Writes copy, captions and headlines for each assigned spread.
• Checks spelling of every name on each completed page.
• Spell checks and proofreads all copy before submitting to copy editor.
• Is responsible for making all assigned deadlines.
• Checks copy for correctness, accuracy and completion before submitting it to editors.

STAFFER

• Checks spelling of every name on each completed page.
• Inputs spreads into the computer.
• Spell checks and proofreads all copy before submitting to copy editor.
• Checks pages for completion before submission to editors.
• Is responsible for making all assigned deadlines.
• Must stay at lunch or after school when necessary to make assigned deadlines.
• Sells ads, help with sales and distribution and any other tasks as needed/assigned by editors or adviser.
• Responsible to editorial board and adviser.

BUSINESS MANAGER

• Develops the budget with the adviser and editor.
• Trains and supervises all staff members selling yearbooks.
• Organizes and runs the yearbook sales campaign.
• Makes sure all yearbook bills are paid on time.
• Inventories all kit supplies and orders them well in advance.
• Supervises all fund-raising activities.

ADVERTISING MANAGER

• Checks kit and orders any ad sales materials well in advance.
• Compiles a list of prospective advertisers and patrons.
• Draws up the sales contract and sets advertising rates with assistance from your Herff Jones sales partner.
• Prepares thank you and patron letters and supervises their mailing.
• Divides the area into sales territories and assigns sales teams to each.
• Trains and manages all sales persons.
• Responsible for managing all advertising income.
• Notifies the Photo Editor when an advertising photo is needed.
• Supervises designs and copy for ad pages and checks them for consistency and accuracy.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

• Work closely with adviser to ensure you are operating within all school, district and federal online protection policies.
• Responsible for managing the yearbook’s social media sites.
• Determine which social media sites the yearbook program will use (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube.)
• Define the staff’s goals for the yearbook’s social media presence.
• Promote the yearbook’s social media channels to the student body.
• Post yearbook-related information, photos and videos on social media sites.
• Monitor posts and comments made to the sites and reply when appropriate.
• Post snippets throughout the year to build interest in the yearbook and promote sales.
• Generate story ideas, polls, surveys, etc., to keep students engaged.
• Engage with the sites of other on-campus groups, organizations and teams to increase overall engagement.

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Yearbook Story Ideas

NEED AN IDEA FOR A STORY?

Good yearbook stories feature content students will want to remember, but coming up with ideas for those stories isn’t always easy. We have provided some potential story ideas to help build your yearbook content.

SENIORS

• College: applying – time and money involved, essays, visiting colleges
• Graduation: graduating early, taking five or more years, gifts, traditions
• 13 years: those seniors who have been in the district/school since their first day of kindergarten

UNDERCLASS

• Best friends: how they met, when they’ve disagreed, what has kept them close
• Practical jokes and fun
• Siblings: at same school, twins

STUDENT LIFE

• Amusement parks
• Elections/political involvement
• Environmental awareness
• Fashion and trends
• Favorite music
• School rivalries

CLUBS and ORGANIZATIONS

• If I could invent a club, it would be…
• Interaction with local community
• Best and most memorable service projects
• Feature someone who has been in in the club all four years

SPORTS

• College recruiting
• Crosstown rivals
• Local press coverage of school athletes
• Sideline personnel: managers, trainers, waterboys, statisticians
• Training outside of school

ACADEMICS

• Long term projects: How do you approach them? When do you finish? Prefer or abhor them?
• Test stories: AP, ACT, SAT successes and flops
• Portfolios: students who must submit a collection of their work for a grade
• Scholarships

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Graduation Cap & Gown Tips: It’s Your Day to Look Your Best!

Hey Graduates! Congratulations –it’s YOUR big day. Graduation is an important milestone, and you need to look your best for your graduation day. We understand as a graduate, you have plenty on your to-do list. From planning your graduation party, to finishing final exams, to making end-of-year memories, this time of the year in a graduate’s life can be extremely stressful. But stressing about how to properly care for and wear your graduation outfit shouldn’t be one of them.

Our team at Herff Jones is here to offer some suggestions to ensure that your graduation day is as stress-free as possible. To look your best and shine for graduation day, follow these five easy steps to preparing your cap and gown for graduation day. From initially removing the gown from the bag, to removing any wrinkles from the gown, to properly wearing the gown, cap, and tassel – we’re here to help you get ready for the big day.

Five Easy Tips to Wear Your Graduation Cap & Gown

1. Immediately remove the gown from the bag.  In order to ensure that your cap, gown and tassel ready for graduation day, it is important to immediately remove the graduation gown from the bag as soon as you get home with your graduation outfit. Leaving the gown in the bag doesn’t allow the fabric to breathe and relax.
2. Place the gown on a hanger.  After you take the graduation gown out of the bag, you should then place it on a hanger to let any wrinkles fall out. If after hanging up the gown to relax, pesky wrinkles still remain in the gown, here are three additional tips you can try:
   • Use a cool iron or steamer on the gown
   • Hang the gown in a bathroom and run the shower as the steam should help release wrinkles.
   • Make sure you don’t wash or dry clean the gown
3. Try on your cap and gown! It’s always a good idea to try on your cap and gown prior to the actual graduation day. Make sure that the gown fits you well and that the measurements are all accurate to avoid any unnecessary stress on graduation day.
4. Check out how the gown looks.  After trying on your graduation gown, make sure that the sleeves fall below your elbow and above the palm of your hand. Also, the bottom of the gown should fall below your knee and above your ankle. When determining the measurements of the gown, it is important to remember that flats or heels won’t affect the hemline of the gown.
5. Complete the graduation outfit with the cap and tassel.  Once you know that your graduation gown fits you correctly, it’s time to try on your cap. To do so, loop the tassel over the button on the top of the cap. Prior to putting on your cap, look inside to find the word “front.” When wearing the cap, it should be flat and level to the floor. Feel free to use bobby pins to properly secure the cap. On graduation day, remember that your tassel starts on the right side and is moved to the left side after you graduate.

After you finish these five steps, you will be ready to look your best on graduation day! There’s only one thing left to remember: take time to enjoy all that you’ve accomplished and how proud everyone is of you. This is the day you’ve worked so hard for, and now it’s time to enjoy this celebration of your dedication and accomplishments. It’s time to celebrate YOU!

To learn how to properly iron, care for, and wear your cap, gown and tassel on graduation day – watch the video below for more information!

SHOP YOUR CAP & GOWN NOW

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