The High School Graduation Ceremony of the Future

[jmowreader]

All the threads about dictatorial graduation ceremonies--there's one over in LBN about a school that withholds diplomas from students whose families cheer during the ceremony--lead me to believe that, within two years, at least one school will conduct a graduation ceremony in this format:

Pre-ceremony: The high school band will play the school song while parents file into the auditorium. No other relatives will be authorized within ten miles of the ceremony site.

The ceremony will begin with the playing of "Pomp and Circumstance." During the march, the superintendent, the principal and the school board will file onto the stage. The mayor will already be there.

The superintendent will give a 20-minute invocation on the importance of high school in a student's life.

The principal will speak for 30 minutes on the milestone that high school graduation represents in a young person's life.

The president of the school board will speak for 45 minutes on the traditions and history of the school.

The students, in order to prevent any untoward displays of frivolity or happiness, will be lined up in the school hallway and the lunchroom supervisor will issue them their diplomas. They will be required to wear matching uniforms of black slacks, white long-sleeved shirts, black four-in-hand ties, and polished oxford shoes, all of which will be issued by the administration to prevent discrimination lawsuits based on the ability to afford the prescribed apparel. The students will then be bused to a vacant lot five miles away and reunited with their families at the conclusion of the ceremony.

You know it will happen.

[YOY]

1. When you realize how important High School graduation is in the big picture tell me.

They could "force" it to happen with a mail in rebate for a diploma and I still wouldn't give a shit.

Tell me when Harvard graduation ceremonies stop being fun, then we'll talk.

Just how old are you anyways?

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. to an 18 year old kid, a high school graduation IS a big deal...

and to some it is the only time they will be able to walk on stage hearing Pomp and Circumstance. I'm getting my masters degree and while in the grand scheme of my life it is more important than a high school diploma, I could really care less about attending a graduation ceremony. My high school graduation was much more exciting to me because it was something new. I think that was the OP's point, the diploma may not mean much but for most kids, they really want to enjoy the day. Personally I think it is silly that they have no clapping restrictions

[live love laugh]

4. High school is more important because of the relationships formed IMHO

Many of the people you leave high school with have been with you from the time you started school and if not, during at least four years. The college experience varies for many people. Some go away and form the same types of bonds, but just as many get degrees while working and don't have the time to form relationships so college is less meaningful personally. Like you, I didn't care about attending college graduations but high school graduation was VERY important to me.

[beyurslf]

3. I went to a Middle School graduation where the principal said that most

graduations require you to be quiet and not applaud or cheer. He said that this was not one of those ceremonies. He said we tell kids all their lives how important school and what an accomplishment it will be when they finish. Then, why would we would sit silently while they are recognized. he encouraged everyone to cheer, clap, whoop, holler, and anything else when their kids' names were called.