Last Call in 2025: The best invitations, songs and hairstyles

Traditionally, at the end of May, the last bell will ring for all school graduates in Russia. At this time, students say goodbye to the past life stage and begin their journey into adulthood. The Last Bell has been held in Russian schools for more than 50 years, and the tradition originated in the middle of the last century. In 2025, the Ministry of Education recommended celebrating the holiday on Saturday, May 24, but school leaders can choose the appropriate date on their own. Last year, the event was held on May 24-25. The story of the touching event and which festive traditions have been preserved to this day can be found in the Izvestia article.

"The last bell": the story of the holiday when the 9th and 11th grades in 2025

The prototype of the holiday originated during the reign of Peter I. In 1701, the emperor organized the first lavish ball for graduates of the School of Mathematical and Navigational Sciences who were receiving matriculation certificates. Then the tradition was picked up in other educational institutions. Girls were not allowed on the holiday at that time. The tradition persisted until 1917, after the revolution, lavish festivities were banned.

"Last Call" is a holiday that is both sad and joyful. It's about saying goodbye to childhood and conquering new heights. Therefore, as a rule, it is celebrated solemnly and magnificently.

In modern Russia, the "Last Call" was held for the first time on May 25, 1948. The idea of holding such an event belongs to the honored teacher of the Krasnodar school of the RSFSR Fyodor Bryukhovetsky. For the first time, the holiday was held at Moscow school No. 182 (currently No. 1501). It was no coincidence that the teacher chose May 25 for the event — this is the period when the academic year has already come to an end, and the final exams are still ahead.

The mass celebration became closer to the 70s of the XX century. The USSR Ministry of Education included the "Last Call" in the list of official events after 1971. Currently, the holiday is held not only for 11th graders, but also for 9th graders, as many children say goodbye to school before others.

Bryukhovetsky is also credited with creating the Day of Knowledge and "Farewell to the Alphabet Book." The teacher believed that the most important events in the life of schoolchildren should be supported by certain traditions.

In 2025, the Ministry of Education announced the recommended dates for "Last Calls" and graduation parties. So, for the "Last Call" it was scheduled for May 24, for graduation on June 28. However, each school can choose a specific date for the celebration at its discretion.

Traditionally, the solemn ceremony of the "Last Call" includes speeches by teachers, parents, greetings from first-graders and words of farewell from graduates. At the end of the event, the last bell for the guys present sounds at the venue.

"Last Call" in Moscow and the regions of Russia: script, songs, invitations, photo zone

"Last Call" is a joyful and important event for any graduate. Over the decades of the event, many traditions have been formed that are still being observed. In the Soviet Union, wall newspapers were painted in honor of the "Last Call", the assembly hall was decorated, and a festive concert was held. After the official part of the event, a skit was held, a performance based on humor and satire. At the end of the holiday, the graduate carried a first—grader on his shoulder, ringing a bell - this is the last bell for students.

The traditional outfit for a Soviet graduate was a brown dress with a white collar, over which a white elegant apron was worn. This custom unites many generations of graduates. The young men wore dark pantsuits with a white shirt. An integral part of the graduate's image both then and now is a ribbon with the inscription "Graduate". In the USSR, such ribbons were predominantly red, but now the choice of colors for festive ribbons is much wider.

These days, the "Last Call" scenario is much like the traditional one. Before the solemn line-up, the high school students walk through the school corridors for the last time, all the students of the school clap their hands and say goodbye to the graduates. The festive line-up begins with a speech by the headmaster and teachers. They congratulate students on graduation and reward those who have distinguished themselves in the learning process. The teachers' parting words are followed by the speeches of the graduates themselves, where they thank the teachers for their many years of study.

Schoolchildren often write scripts and perform dance routines themselves, go to rehearsals and make this day truly unforgettable not only for themselves, but also for teachers and parents. Sometimes schoolchildren plant trees on school grounds in honor of the event as a symbol of their desire for knowledge and self-improvement.

The invariable symbol of the holiday is a graduate carrying a first—grader on his shoulder, ringing a bell. Hence the name "Last Call". Another tradition that remains almost unchanged is the final song, which the graduates sing together. Classroom teachers also join in the performance. Around the middle of the event, the graduates dance the last school waltz. Sometimes the whole class is involved, but more often than not, several pairs from the class are selected. The dance symbolizes growing up and leaving the carefree childhood years behind. Traditionally, high school students perform a song at the "Last Call". Most often, this is the "Graduation" ("Slowie") from Basta or the "Last Call" from Lera Kozlova.

After completing the official part, all graduates go out into the courtyard of the school and release balloons into the sky as a symbol of their passing childhood. Sometimes, instead of balloons, high school students launch white pigeons into the sky. Each school and even each class determines the further course of the holiday independently. Often, the event turns into an informal mood, and former schoolchildren go to a restaurant or barbecue to continue the festivities. Some schools offer quests for teenagers. The warm weather in May also makes it possible to continue the event on the deck of the ship with classmates.

An important detail at the celebration is the presence of a photo zone for schoolchildren and their parents. Most often, the place for photos is decorated with balloons, flowers and an inscription indicating what the event is dedicated to. Sometimes invitations are prepared for the "Last Call" and distributed to parents and friends of graduates: "We invite you to the celebrations dedicated to the Last Call and Graduation. The last bell will ring on _____ May 202. Graduation will take place on _____ June 202. On ______, events will be held at School No.

But the most important celebrations for graduates are yet to come. They will have to take the unified state exam, which will largely determine their future career. After the end of the examination period, graduation ceremonies will also be held in schools.

The best greetings for "Last Call" – 2025

Congratulations on the "Last Call"! May the road to a new adult life be exciting, successful and easy. Do not forget about the lessons learned during school, they will be useful in a new stage of life.

May the last bell that rang within the walls of the school symbolize a new life — exciting, unforgettable and absolutely unique! Congratulations on this long-awaited and significant day!

There are especially significant holidays in the life of each of us, and the "Last Call" is just such an event for every student! I congratulate you on entering a new adult life, where every day you will learn something new! May all expectations, goals and dreams come true.

Happy Last Call! On this important and responsible day, be yourself, prepare for the life lessons that are on the horizon of your path! This day symbolizes the beginning of a new and unexplored stage, I wish it to be as successful and happy as possible!

Congratulations on your last day of study, there are only exams and adulthood ahead! I wish you a huge reserve of strength, energy, wonderful mood and inspiration. "Last Call" is the beginning of a new adventure and a fun vacation. Don't lose your enthusiasm, don't miss any opportunities that come your way!

Congratulations on entering adulthood! Today, the last bell will ring, and you will embark on a new and exciting adventure called "Adult Life." May the upcoming exams be successfully passed, and the well-deserved rest will be remembered for a long time.

What to wear for the "Last Call", makeup, manicure, hairstyles

A well-chosen outfit for the "Last Call" will allow students to feel comfortable during an important life event. Traditionally, graduates wear school uniforms that are unique to each school. It is important that the outfit is formal, neat and stylish — as a symbol of the beginning of a new life.

Schools that do not have a uniform of a certain cut advise students to follow the basic principle of formal images for school events — white top and black bottom. Girls should prefer white blouses and shirts, business trousers and skirts. Boys most often wear pantsuits of different shades for the "Last Call". In many educational institutions, the tradition of wearing a formal white apron, as worn by Soviet schoolchildren, has been preserved among female graduates.

On the "Last call", the students put their hair in beautiful hairstyles, but most often they are limited to curls. Paying tribute to the traditions, ribbons or bows are woven into the girl's hair. How to prepare your hair for graduation and properly care for it, you can read on the portal Uznay.ru . In makeup, preference should be given to restrained and calm colors: beige, pastel — without bright accents on certain areas of the face. In manicure, you should also abandon bright and catchy colors so that all the details of the image are combined with the delicate outfit of the graduate.

For parents, the day of the last call is no less important than for high school students. For the formal part of the event, it is worth giving preference to business, classic outfits. Urban chic looks are also suitable. It is better to choose an elegant outfit without a full skirt. This look can be complemented with eye-catching earrings or put jewelry around your neck. For men, business pantsuits and shirts will be appropriate, and a more informal but restrained look for the "Last Call" will also be appropriate.