In 1920, Grants Pass High School began a beautiful and impressive tradition among southern Oregon high schools, when they designed arches of roses for the senior class to parade through as they entered their graduation ceremony. Today, this tradition is in its 95^th year, and the audience and students alike continue to anticipate the elegance that the arches add to the ceremony.

In the early years of this tradition, only juniors were allowed the privilege to participate in building the floral arches. Today, freshmen and sophomore girls work side by side with the juniors to create and bear the arches.  Occasionally, there are even boy arch bearers. The arches are no longer limited to just roses - a wider variety of flowers now adds a spectacular array of color to the graduation night. The arch bearers contribute to the celebration by wearing formal gowns, adding to the beautiful ceremony.

The floral arches inspire all who attend Grants Pass High School’s graduation.  More importantly, they are the long-anticipated rite of passage for seniors – symbolizing the passing from the high school hallways into their exciting journey ahead.