The photo above is of previous East Bladen High School Graduates wearing stoles and cords during their graduation ceremony.
Contributed by Bladen County Schools
Elizabethtown, NC—Graduation is an exciting time for our graduates, their families, and our school district—every year we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our graduating seniors. Last spring, district administrators and high school principals came together to establish unified graduation procedures to eliminate discrepancies between the schools’ ceremonies and ensure we were aligned with our graduation plans and requirements—including the list of approved stoles and cords.
It was recently brought to our attention that some students were presented with cords not on the approved list. After careful consideration, the district will allow those cords to be worn at this year’s ceremonies.
“We always want to do what’s best for our students,” says Dr. Jason Atkinson, Superintendent.
“We are planning to reconvene in the coming weeks to review our graduation procedures and reevaluate the approved list of stoles and cords.”
Historically, information about graduation—tickets, dress code, cords, and stoles—has been released to seniors in the Spring. Beginning next year (the 2023-2024 school year), all of those details will be included in the High School Handbook students receive on the first day of school.
If anyone has any questions regarding approved stoles and cords, they should contact their principal.
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By BladenOnline team
May 25, 2023 – Bladen County Schools announce the approved stoles and cords for our high school graduation ceremonies. According to College Wear, Inc., in general, the main components of graduation attire are:
- Gown
- Cap (with tassle)
- Hood
- Stoles/sashes
- Cords
The stole or sash can come in different colors, representing an academic program or major. A graduation cord parallels the stole but looks like a rope and represents extra extracurricular activities, clubs, and achievements.
There are some cords not allowed to be worn during Bladen County Schools’ graduations. Please see the informational flyer below for the approved stoles and cords list. College Wear, Inc. offers a how-to guide for graduation attire. Please read about it on their website.
Graduation for local high school students is quickly approaching.
Following are the plans for high school graduation ceremonies where more than 300 seniors will receive diplomas during three ceremonies.
Held in the auditorium at Bladen Community College, the Early College will kick off the district’s graduation ceremonies at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 2.
The district’s two traditional high school graduation ceremonies will be held the following week on Friday, June 9 at Elizabethtown Middle School inside the gymnasium. West Bladen High School’s graduation is at 10 a.m. and East Bladen High School’s graduation will begin at 3 p.m.
Each graduate will receive seven tickets for guests. Doors will close to attendees 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. Guests must have a graduation ticket to attend and there will be no entry once doors close. The district is planning to live-stream the three graduations providing those unable to attend in-person the ability to watch the ceremony.
The photo below shows previous West Bladen High School Graduates wearing stoles and cords during their graduation ceremony. 
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