Graduation--What is Wrong With People

[KristinBelle]

We avoided this problem at my high school. The graduating class was so large that we didn't even read out individual names. We all stood up, the prinicpal said "congratulations, you are all graduates" and that was that.

In college, we got slightly more personal treatment - we were divided by major. "Will all the candidates for Bachelor of Arts in the Social Sciences stand up -- Congratulations you are all graduates!".

It's a real timesaver!

Same here! I thought I was the only one. We loved it, it was short and sweet and everyone cheered like crazy at the end.

 

[declansdad]

This is the problem - people compare graduations to a sporting event. I think the intent is for them to be like a concert (not a rock concert) or religious event. The word ceremony actually implies solemn and formal - something where cheering doesn't belong. If people are doing that, it's really not a ceremony anymore, but something altogether different. Maybe ceremonies aren't appropriate anymore and they can start calling them graduation events or graduation rallies.

Every graduation I have been to had a joker or two that had to do this, but it seems like it is more generally accepted behavior now?

I think ceremony can take on many different meanings. It doesn't have to be solemn and formal but rather reflect the wishes of those involved. (and I don't mean just the administrators)

 

[Keli]

Here's my great idea. I think it would work for most schools.
Put up a HUGE screen above the stage and project the graduate's image and name as they are handed their diploma.
No verbal announcement at all. Allow everyone to clap and cheer as they want to since it won't be interferring with the next person. No one will really know who the cheering is for since the graduates and the pictures will continue. Seems like it would really take care of the problem.

 

[declansdad]

Here's my great idea. I think it would work for most schools.
Put up a HUGE screen above the stage and project the graduate's image and name as they are handed their diploma.
No verbal announcement at all. Allow everyone to clap and cheer as they want to since it won't be interferring with the next person. No one will really know who the cheering is for since the graduates and the pictures will continue. Seems like it would really take care of the problem.

That sounds like a good idea.

 

[cardaway]

That sounds like a good idea.

I agree. It's seems to solve the problem and even add a way for people to get up close without a zoom lens on their camera or binoculars.

 

[klmall]

Having attended many a high school graduation I have seen them progress DOWN-hill over the years to the level mentioned in the original post. This Thursday's graduation would have been my last ever probably but I opted to take a day of leave rather than agonize through two hours of cheering, hollering, name-screaming and babies crying. At our graduations families who DO NOT vocalize loudly their excitement etc. seem to be in the minority. The students are tightly checked for beach balls, cap adornments etc. and generally behave very well but their parents and relatives are downright embarassing to some of them. I saw one girl actually cry last year when her family hooted and hollered well before her turn to cross the stage and was still screaming her name until she actually sat back down in her seat. I didn't know her but another teacher told me she was a quiet, average student. I guess these are the same parents who scream for the return of cell phones for their students who have used them during class and protest when we require strapless tops to be covered up on their daughters.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I thank all of you for your head's up.

I will be going to a HS graduation cememony in three weeks. I haven't been to one since I graduated in 1986. Back then, everyone did hoot and holler, but it was tolerated and no one would even think to overstep or to not allow another kid's name to be heard. It was like a very quick WHOOOOO, then you moved on.

Do they still bring flowers and such for the graduating girls? I was given a lovely flower lei and a bouquet of roses and a candy lei thingie.

 

[NotAmused]

I thank all of you for your head's up.

I will be going to a HS graduation cememony in three weeks. I haven't been to one since I graduated in 1986. Back then, everyone did hoot and holler, but it was tolerated and no one would even think to overstep or to not allow another kid's name to be heard. It was like a very quick WHOOOOO, then you moved on.

Do they still bring flowers and such for the graduating girls? I was given a lovely flower lei and a bouquet of roses and a candy lei thingie.

That's how it was when I graduated HS in 2005, and college last month. Most family/friends would cheer for the graduate, but only for a few seconds as soon as they announced the name. Then they shut it. Of course, there is always going to be 1 or 2 groups that have to be disrespectful and cheer for five minutes

And yes, many people do bring flowers, balloons, etc.

 

[komondorok]

I thank all of you for your head's up.

I will be going to a HS graduation cememony in three weeks. I haven't been to one since I graduated in 1986. Back then, everyone did hoot and holler, but it was tolerated and no one would even think to overstep or to not allow another kid's name to be heard. It was like a very quick WHOOOOO, then you moved on.

Do they still bring flowers and such for the graduating girls? I was given a lovely flower lei and a bouquet of roses and a candy lei thingie.

That was how ours was this past Saturday. Our parents cheered, clapped and then quieted down immediately to allow the next family to cheer for their child. Nothing out of line.

And yes, there were many families presenting bouquets to their graduates. They were even selling roses and graduation teddy bears in the lobby if you had forgotten but still wanted to present some to the graduates.

 

[DizBelle]

Here's my great idea. I think it would work for most schools.
Put up a HUGE screen above the stage and project the graduate's image and name as they are handed their diploma.
No verbal announcement at all. Allow everyone to clap and cheer as they want to since it won't be interferring with the next person. No one will really know who the cheering is for since the graduates and the pictures will continue. Seems like it would really take care of the problem.

Great - a Jumbotron. A fabulous use of tax dollars.

 

[monsterkitty]

Great - a Jumbotron. A fabulous use of tax dollars.

My niece's graduation was held at a local sports arena. The arena donated the jumbotron usage so that we could see their pictures.

In fact, many graduations are now held at public venues where jumbotrons already exist. Jumbotrons are probably used more than we think with a minimal cost to the school.