Central Visual and Performing Arts High School's commencement included a series of student performances across music, theater and dance departments and featured alumna Brianna Brown performing the national anthem.

The ceremony presenter invited Brianna Brown—introduced as a 2014 graduate and the school's artistic specialist—to sing the national anthem. The presenter said Brown had since recorded and opened for national acts and had performed at local professional sports events.

Students from the senior showcase performed throughout the program. The instrumental showcase included senior Evelyn Bishop, who the presenter said had a 3.9 GPA, 95% attendance and had earned $72,500 in scholarships; she planned to attend Columbia College Chicago. Theater seniors Zona (Zana) Bell and Hania (Hinai) Dyson performed together after being selected for the senior showcase. Vocal major Gabrielle Harvey performed a solo and was described by the presenter as having a 95% attendance record, a 2.9 GPA and $136,000 in scholarships. The dance department presented multiple seniors, and individual dancers’ postsecondary plans and scholarships were noted by the presenter.

Visual-arts senior Ronald Kamaj presented a slideshow and spoke about his portfolio, gallery showings and freelance work; the presenter had earlier named him Early College Academy valedictorian. The ceremony combined the school's arts showcase tradition with formal recognitions and announcements about students’ next steps.