Of the 25 years I taught at Berry/Hoover High School I attended 24 graduations. The one I missed was to attend my own daughter’s graduation at her school. So I guess, technically I was 25 for 25. Even on the one I missed I was there earlier that day setting up cameras and running cables with students for the video production.
I have become the “get off my lawn” old man when it comes to these ceremonies and the decision to hold an in-person graduation next week has not helped.
THE UGLY---Over those 25 plus years, I have witnessed some of the rudest and most uncivilized behavior...by adults! It has almost become an experiment of human behavior. The absolute crush of people pushing and shoving their way in to get “the best seats” once the doors open is appalling. It was the “Me First” movement long before there was “Me too”.
Because the size of graduating classes has grown larger each year, the event must be held in sporting arenas or stadiums where a ceremony has turned into a pep rally. And class sizes have made it necessary for the person reading the names to speed through them like an auctioneer...making me think, "Is this really worth it?"
The cowbells, catcalls, air-horns, hoots, and hollers are disrespectful in what may be one of the few ceremonies that some students will actually experience. I always think, “Did you really think your son or daughter was NOT going to graduate?” (I know for some that is a real concern) Are you really celebrating your son or daughter's accomplishment or trying to embarrass them? Or, let's take the focus off the student for those SIX seconds they have to cross the stage and have everyone look at me! I once heard it said, “I have seen better behavior at a strip club.” (Oh wait, that was me!)
When I have witnessed up close and personal the inability of adults to self-discipline their behavior in past graduation ceremonies it does not give me a comfortable feeling to think that they can or will do so while in the midst of a pandemic. If we can’t trust adults to be, well, adults, how can we expect the grads to follow social distancing when they know they may never see some of their fellow students after that night??
THE BAD---Then there are the speeches! As a teacher, I have learned as much from my students as they may have ever learned from me. Students have a voice and it is important to listen to them, I have learned much over the years in my conversations with students. But the speeches! Actually, it is the same speech every year...just different people giving it. “Go change the world.” “The future is ours.” “Reach for the stars.” “We survived!” We survived the FOUR whole years of high school... we survived the move...portables...construction...power failures...snowmageddon...etc.” This year, well, hopefully, we survive graduation!
THE GOOD---If you are still reading...my memories of graduations past are not ALL bad. Let me expound on that. I loved seeing the students I taught or knew coming in the morning of graduation practice. I loved it when they would smile, nod, or wave to me. Some would break out of line and give me a hug. I loved working with my underclassmen to set up the cameras and crawl under bleachers to run cables. I loved when former students came back to help with the production. I loved seeing the reality, sink in, for many students, that this was it, high school is over and it wasn’t so bad after all. I loved taking my crew to CiCi’s Pizza or Dreamland after set-up and spending time with them outside the classroom. I loved going to Waffle House with my crew after Graduation Day finally ended and hanging out and bonding with some of the hardest-working kids I ever taught. So, it wasn't that bad after all!
In conclusion, graduation IS important. Students and, yes, their families should be celebrating their accomplishments and achievements. While I have attended many, for some it may be their first or one of a few. I don’t want the memories of 2020 to be one of regret because we didn’t listen to the medical experts’ advice and did it too soon.
Be smart...be safe and for goodness sake, behave!
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