Graduation

This year’s ceremony will be held at the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena at the University of St. Thomas, located at 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105.

Parking

There is a $1 per hour parking fee for each of the three campus ramps. Street-level lots are available for free, along with free street parking around campus.

Ticketing & Seating

Each Class of 2026 graduate will receive 6 tickets for the graduation ceremony. Tickets are required for entry and cannot be replaced if lost. Tickets for the AVHS Graduation Ceremony will be passed out to students during their Graduation Rehearsal the day before the ceremony. The Graduation Ceremony will be live-streamed. LPAA is fully ADA-compliant. Accessible seating and restrooms are available. ADA Seating is located on both the 100 and 200 levels. Companion seats are available next to accessible seating arenas. 

Accessibility

LPAA is fully ADA-compliant.

• The arena is fully accessible, including elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms.

• A variety of Accessible seating is available throughout the venue (not limited to one section).

• Arena staff will assist guests in finding appropriate seating upon arrival.

• Companion seating is available in the identified accessible seating area.  We ask that there be a limit of one companion.

• A designated drop-off area is available near the entrance for guests with mobility needs.

• Handicap Parking & Seating is limited and first come, first served — we recommend arriving early if accessible seating is needed. 

If your family has specific accessibility needs or questions ahead of time, please contact us so we can help support your planning.

Meeting the Graduates after the Ceremony

Graduates can meet family and friends in the main seating area after the ceremony.  Family and friends may not come on the ceremony floor, nor may they go to the back area.

Food and Beverage

Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the Lee & Penny Anderson Arena.

Exceptions: Items for medical needs or small children.

Allowed: One factory-sealed, 20 oz plastic water bottle per guest.

Balloons and Airhorns

Balloons and airhorns are not permitted in Lee & Penny Anderson Arena. Please keep them in your car or at home. If you bring balloons into the facility, you will need to check them at the door and can pick them up when you leave. 

There will be metal detectors at the entrance to LPAA. Airhorns will be thrown away, or you will be permitted to return them to your car, but you will not be allowed to have them in the arena.

Security and Safety

We will have police, hired security, our RHS School Resource Officer, and an EMT on site for the ceremony. We hope that we don’t have to use these services, but they will be present to respond to any incident or need. Please be responsible and do not come to graduation under the influence of alcohol. We will be prepared to escort you off site, if you are.

Prohibited Items

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, the following items are not allowed inside University of St. Thomas athletic venues. Guests with prohibited items may be denied entry or asked to leave.

• Advertising materials (unless pre-approved)

• Alcohol

• Aerosol cans (mace, pepper spray, hairspray, etc.)

• Animals (service animals only; no pets or emotional-support animals)

• Balloons, inflatables, balls, or projectiles

• Bags larger than 12" x 6" x 12" (medical exceptions; all bags subject to search)

• Confetti, glitter, or body paint

• Glass containers, coolers, thermoses

• Drones, remote-controlled devices, laptops/tablets, laser pointers, tripods/monopods/selfie sticks, cameras with detachable lenses

• Illegal drugs

• Obscene or offensive clothing or signage

• Outside food or drinks
  Exceptions: medical needs or small children
  Allowed: one factory-sealed 20 oz plastic water bottle per guest

• Strollers, skateboards, hoverboards, scooters, wheeled footwear

• Tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping devices

• Weapons of any kind

• Any item deemed unsafe or inappropriate by St. Thomas Athletics or Public Safety

Note: This list may change without notice.