Terry Sanford
High School
Graduation Information
FTS SENIOR GRADUATION INFORMATION
2026-2027
Class of 2027 Graduation
Date: Tuesday, June 8, 2027
Ceremony Time: 11:00 AM
Graduate Arrival: NO LATER THAN 10:00 AM
Location: Crown Coliseum
Graduate Arrival & What to Bring
Graduates should arrive no later than 10:00 AM.
Students may not wear the cap and gown while entering the Expo and going through the metal detectors.
All regalia must be carried in their hands while entering.
Students may bring only their regalia and car keys into the arena.
Phones, purses, accessories, hangers, toiletries, and other items must be left in vehicles.
There is no fixed holding area backstage, so personal items cannot be left there during the ceremony.
Graduation Cords & Approved Regalia
Only FTS-approved graduation regalia are allowed to be worn.
Graduation Cords and Contact People: View the FTS Graduation Cords and Contact People spreadsheet
Live United Volunteer Service Cord Requirements
To receive the Live United Volunteer Service Cord to wear at graduation, students must complete a minimum of 50 volunteer hours during senior year (June 2026 to April 24, 2027).
Complete the service log and form for only one business or organization. If volunteering with multiple
businesses or organizations, submit a separate log and form for each.
The supervisor must sign off and include their phone number and position.
All volunteer hour forms must be completed and turned in to Mrs. Hall by Friday, April 23, 2027 to
guarantee eligibility for the Volunteer Cord.
In place of the service log, students may submit a signed timesheet, certificate, or letter from each place
they volunteered, provided it includes the required information listed on the service log.
Graduation Dress Code
Seniors must follow the required Cumberland County Schools dress code for BOTH graduation and the Crown rehearsal.
Caps and gowns CANNOT be decorated.
Option 1: Black/navy full-length dress pants, white dress shirt with collar, dark tie, dark or black socks if
wearing men’s-style shoes, and solid black closed-toe dress shoes (heels no higher than 2 inches).
Option 2: Black skirt (preferably) no longer than the graduation gown, white or black dress shirt with or
without a collar, and solid black closed-heel, closed/peep-toe dress shoes (heels no higher than 2 inches).
Option 3: Dress no longer than the graduation gown and solid black closed-heel, closed/peep-toe dress shoes (heels no higher than 2 inches).
If a dress is not longer than the graduation gown and cannot be seen, it may be any color. CCS is primarily concerned with what can be seen above or below the graduation gown. If clothing will be visible below the gown, it needs to be black/navy. If a collar can be seen above the stole, it should be white or black. Students should try on their planned clothing with the gown before graduation to ensure it meets the policy.
Graduation Tickets
Up to 2 additional tickets if the family has proctored or will proctor.
Tickets will be given to seniors at graduation practice.
Proctor Form: Complete the Graduation Proctor Form
Required Graduation Practices
All graduation practices are REQUIRED.
Practices at FTS Main Gym
Tuesday, May 18, 2027 — Time TBD
Thursday, May 20, 2027 — Time TBD
Crown Coliseum Full Dress Rehearsal
Date: Wednesday, June 2, 2027
Practice Time: 10:00 AM
Arrival: No later than 9:00 AM
Students must bring their cap and gown and dress appropriately. This is a FULL DRESS REHEARSAL. Students should come dressed as they will for graduation day.
FTS Legacy Seniors - Legacy Pinning Ceremony
Date: Monday, May 10, 2027
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: FTS Auditorium
Senior Honors Night
Date: Monday, May 17, 2027
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: FTS Armstrong Stadium
Senior Honors Night Dress Code
Gowns and stoles only.
No cap or tassel.
Seniors may dress comfortably under their gown.
Any shoes may be worn, though flats are recommended since the ceremony will take place on the football
field.
College Applications
Choosing the Right Application Path
COMMON APP
Best for students applying to several Common App colleges, especially private or out-of-state schools.
One student application; counselor school forms and transcript can be submitted once through the
Common App system.
Invite/assign teachers only when a college requires a teacher recommendation.
CFNC / NC COLLEGE CONNECT
Direct admission pathway for NC public-school seniors. Students receive a tailored list of participating
colleges.
For eligible 4-year offers, the 2026–27 program uses GPA, graduation status, fourth-level math, and
program requirements.
Claiming a spot is not binding. Students may claim more than one offer.
No traditional application, essay, test score, activity list, or recommendation letter is needed to claim the
direct-admission offer.
APPLY DIRECT
Apply through the college or university’s own admissions website/portal.
Useful when a school is not on Common App or when the institution directs students to its own
application.
Each application may have its own fee, essay, transcript, and recommendation requirements.
For NC colleges, students can often send a free official e-transcript through CFNC. Other schools may
require a separate transcript request.
Transcripts + Recommendations: What Students Need to Know
1. Check each college’s requirements first. Not every college wants a recommendation.
2. Allow at least 2 weeks for counselor forms, transcripts, and recommendation letters.
3. Submit the student portion by the deadline. Counselor materials can be matched to the application separately.
4. Direct-admission students should still watch scholarship, honors, housing, and financial-aid deadlines.
Early Action & Early Decision
Early Action: Students apply early and receive an admission decision early. Early Action is non-binding, so students do not have to commit if admitted and can compare admissions and financial aid offers.
Early Decision: Students apply early and receive an admission decision early. Early Decision is binding, which means admitted students are expected to enroll and withdraw other college applications.
Which should I choose? Choose Early Action for flexibility. Choose Early Decision only when one college is the clear first choice and the family is comfortable with the commitment and likely cost.
FAFSA & Financial Aid
FAFSA — Free Application for Student Aid
Should I fill out the FAFSA if I know I will not receive federal aid? Yes, students should still consider completing it. Many schools have endowment programs, grants, and scholarships for students who demonstrate need, including some financial and merit-based awards that require the FAFSA. Some state-run grant programs also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility.
FAFSA Help: Federal Student Aid FAFSA Support
The presentation also references 2027–2028 Early Access FAFSA information.
College & Scholarship Resources
My BigFuture / AP
Taking an AP Exam can help students demonstrate their willingness to complete college-level work.
Students can opt in to Student Search Service to connect with scholarship programs and colleges across
the country.
The presentation notes that students contacted by colleges through Student Search Service receive, on
average, 29% more offers of college admission.
The presentation states that 85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP
experience favorably impacts admissions decisions.
Student Search Service: College Board BigFuture
Scholarships
Remember the Class of 2027 class quote: “Diligence is the Mother of Good Luck.” Be diligent and apply, apply, apply!
Read Mrs. Hall’s emails; they often include scholarship opportunities.
Check the CCS_Student411 Instagram account frequently.
Check each college’s website or contact its financial aid office for college-specific scholarships.
Examples include first-generation, sibling, leadership-based, and need-based scholarships.
Military-related scholarship opportunities may also be available.
Beware of scholarship scams.
National scholarship resources: Fastweb Cappex FinAid
Athletic scholarships: Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by the beginning of junior year. NCAA Eligibility Center