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Acellus Academy Commencement

May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day     KCI Expo Center

This event will be broadcast over the Internet on Science Live.

Congratulations Class of 2023

Acellus Academy takes immense pride in celebrating the accomplishments of our 2023 graduating class. Recognizing that some students may not be able to attend the Commencement ceremony in person, we have provided an opportunity for them to participate virtually. We can’t wait to see what our alumni will do next!

ATTENDING ONSITE? — HOW TO PREPARE:
Reserve Your Seat

To reserve a seat, please purchase a ticket to participate in the Commencement Ceremony as an Acellus Academy graduate. Guest tickets are available for family and friends to attend the ceremony. To ensure adequate seating, all attendees will need a ticket to attend the ceremony. Registration will remain open while space is available.

Complete the Graduation Requirements

To allow sufficient time for processing your diploma, we recommend submitting your graduation application by May 1st (or earlier). If your graduation application is received less than one week prior to the date of the ceremony, you may need to wait until the following school year to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Please contact Acellus Academy’s staff if you need assistance with applying for graduation.

AA Honors Grad2
EVENT SCHEDULE:

Monday, May 29, 2023 — KCI Expo Center

  • 10:00 am — Commencement Rehearsal
    • Note: To ensure that things run smoothly, all graduates participating in the ceremony should plan to attend the rehearsal. Your cap and gown will be available for pick up at the rehearsal.
  • 1:00 pm — Commencement Ceremony
CAP AND GOWN:

Cap and gown rental is included in the purchase of your ticket ($29). Your cap and gown will be available for pick up at the commencement rehearsal, which is scheduled for 10:00am on May 29, 2023.

We recommend dressing in colors that compliment the graduation regalia. The cap and gown for Acellus Academy is blue and features a gold tassel. Place the cap level with the point in front. The bottom of the cap should rest about an inch from your eyebrows. Hang your tassel on the right side. After receiving your diploma, you will move your tassel to the left.

Display Honors

A white stole will be provided for students graduating through the honors pathway. Honors students with an outstanding GPA may also receive honor cords as indicated below. Honors regalia is included in the fee for cap and gown rental.

  • Cum Laude (3.5 GPA or higher) — 1 cord (gold & blue)
  • Magna Cum Laude (3.7 GPA or higher) — 2 cords (blue + gold & blue)
  • Summa Cum Laude (3.9 GPA or higher) — 3 cords (gold + blue + gold & blue)
AA Honors Cords & Stole
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY:
Academic Procession

We recommend that graduates arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the Commencement Ceremony. Your seating area is assigned beforehand. You will receive guidance on how to line up and where you’re sitting during the rehearsal.

AA Grad5
Walking the Stage

At the designated time, graduates will proceed to the foot of the stage and wait in line. Once it’s time, you’ll hear your name called, walk across the stage to shake the presenter’s hand and take the diploma.

  • Walk across the stage once your name is called.
  • Shake the presenter’s hand with your right hand.
  • Take your diploma in your left hand.
  • Pause for a picture while shaking the presenter’s hand and holding your diploma.
  • Walk off stage.
  • Return to your seat.

Event Highlights:

Dr. roger billings

President of the International Academy of Science and founder of Acellus Academy, Dr. Roger Billings will give the 2023 Commencement Address. Dr. Billings is widely recognized as the pioneering figure and visionary behind the concept of inventioneering. With his groundbreaking contributions and transformative innovations, he is often referred to as the “father of inventioneering.” Through his exceptional leadership and expertise, Dr. Billings has propelled the field of inventioneering forward, revolutionizing the way we approach invention, engineering, and the practical application of scientific knowledge. His immense impact has paved the way for aspiring inventioneers to make significant contributions to various industries and shape a brighter future through innovation.

student

The ceremony will feature a video student spotlight on Ryan Kiera Armstrong, a current Acellus Academy student. Ryan Kiera Armstrong is a talented actress who works in film and television. From the beginning of her career she has had leading roles in major Studio productions including American Horror Story (2021) and Firestarter (2022). In April 2023, Disney announced that Armstrong has been cast in its upcoming Star Wars series, “Skeleton Crew,” which is set to premiere on Disney+ this fall.

acellus

We are thrilled to announce that the Acellus Store is unveiling a new line of Acellus Academy apparel and merchandise! From trendy hoodies and letterman jackets to stylish accessories, there’s something for everyone. What’s more, we’ve also included a unique collection of gear specifically designed for Acellus Academy alumni. The Acellus Store will be open on location at the event. Check out the latest merchandise and showcase your school pride!

sheriff

The Platte County Sheriff’s Office custom-built 47′ Freightliner Mobile Command Vehicle is named “Prime.” This national incident management vehicle is a Unified Communications and Command Center for Federal, State, and Local deployment needs. Prime has 700 MHz, 800 MHz, VHF, and UHF band radio capabilities. Additional Communications capabilities include multiple cellular and satellite links. The forward portion of the vehicle has a conference room for decision-makers and a funnel point for situational information. The rear can be used for hostage negations and is also set up as an emergency dispatching/communications center.

office of naval research

On behalf of the Office of Naval Research, a representative of the United States Navy will be awarding the prestigious Naval Science Award to two Acellus students who have demonstrated ingenuity and dedication to scientific discovery during the 2023 Acellus Science Fair. The Naval Science Award recognizes exceptional achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), along with effective communication of research impact. Recipients are selected based on their outstanding contributions, showcasing critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are essential for future scientific leaders.

medal

The United States Army will present, for the first time ever, the Willis M. Hawkins Medal of Science, a special science fair award established in cooperation between Acellus and the U.S. Army. This award was created to celebrate the legacy of Willis Hawkins, a visionary Inventioneer and one of the original founders of the Institute of Science and Technology (IST). As Assistant Secretary of the Army for research and development, Hawkins oversaw the development of the M1 Abrams tank. He also led the design team behind the iconic C-130 Hercules during his extensive career at Lockheed, a feat of engineering that has had a profound impact on the world. The award will be presented each year to exemplary middle and high school students who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in science fair projects with the potential to make a contribution to society or industry.

Venue:

acellus
kci
KCI EXPO CENTER
11730 N Ambassador Dr
Kansas City, MO 64153
United States

Nearby Hotels

Holiday Inn KCI

Holiday Inn Kansas City Airport

11728 N Ambassador Dr, Kansas City, MO 64153

BestWestern

Best Western Plus – KCI East

11130 N Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153

HiltonGarden

Hilton
Garden Inn

10920 N Ambassador Dr, Kansas City, MO 64153

Hilton

Hilton Kansas City Airport

8801 NW 112th Street,
Kansas City, MO 64153

Questions? Send us a message!

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Mikayla M - AA Graduate
Commencement Questions

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