What can families do to stand out in an audience for a graduation ceremony?

[mom2rtk]

I thought that was what the mortarboards were for! Seriously, at my DD21's graduation (last weekend), there were many more decorated mortarboards than there were posters or other decorations in the stands. DD is an education major, so hers said, "You believed in me, so I can believe in them (thanks, Mom and Dad)" There were several education references, with my second favorite being "Class Dismissed!"

In all honesty, I don't think recognizing parents would have worked at DD's college graduation. Her school does smaller ceremonies for the individual colleges, then a huge graduation for the entire class. We only attended the smaller one. There were more graduate degrees (master's and PhD's) than undergrads. I think at that level, parental support is less of a thing. Not that parents aren't supportive, but generally, these are students who have been independent for years, if not decades. At the huge graduation, the undergrads don't even walk, they just sit (although DD was on the jumbotron twice, she said). Luckily, they didn't catch her snoozing!

Checking out the mortarboards really did help break up the very long ceremony at my son's graduation a couple weeks ago. I loved seeing the creativity and thought put into them. It was on Mother's Day weekend, and my favorite was the one that said "This is your Mother's Day gift".

I loved that it was the student's choice as opposed to family members trying to steal some limelight. My chemical engineer was rocking his plain black undecorated mortarboard! I did love the civil engineers who decorated and hung their tassel from a hard hat. Of course, my daughter, the high school sophomore is already planning her college mortarboard since her high school doesn't allow it.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Checking out the mortarboards really did help break up the very long ceremony at my son's graduation a couple weeks ago. I loved seeing the creativity and thought put into them. It was on Mother's Day weekend, and my favorite was the one that said "This is your Mother's Day gift".

I loved that it was the student's choice as opposed to family members trying to steal some limelight. My chemical engineer was rocking his plain black undecorated mortarboard! I did love the civil engineers who decorated and hung their tassel from a hard hat. Of course, my daughter, the high school sophomore is already planning her college mortarboard since her high school doesn't allow it.

I would have loved to see what other majors did--DH and I are both engineers, we appreciated the creativity of one mortarboard with a bridge that we saw in passing. In the school of education, there were mostly teacher references, with one Hawaiian lei and one with purple mini-lights (she was last in line). The graduate students had more decorum, which is to say, nobody decorated their hats.

And I have to agree about the balloons--they would be really annoying if we'd been behind them. I saw someone walking down the street with the silver mylar letters and thought, "That's cute!", without thinking how it might be to sit behind them in the hockey rink venue.

A little OT, but it was really funny, walking around Boston last weekend. You'd be minding your own business, and then see kids in graduation robes on the T, or just walking down a random street. The major colleges have to stagger graduations, or it would be total madness.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

These days you could probably most stand out by dressing in as if you would for an important business meeting, clapping when your graduate's name is called just a little louder than you do for all the other graduates, and generally behaving with some quiet dignity.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

IMO, the only ones who should stand out during a graduation ceremony are the graduates. This day is not about how to bring attention to anyone in the audience, and if someone chooses to do so, I find it disrespectful.

DD14 just graduated 8th grade. One of her friend's mothers told me that she was going to blow an air horn when her daughter was called, even though we have been told not to bring anything that makes noise. She even told me "She's at the end of the alphabet, what are they going to do, kick me out?" I was irritated and tempted to warn administration but I doubt they would do anything, and if they did she would know it was me. Luckily there was no air horn at the ceremony so she must have chickened out (although I'm sure it's more likely her daughter talked her out of it).

They of course did the spiel before they started announcing names to please wait until all names have been called to applaud but right away people were cheering and clapping. It didn't negatively affect the ceremony IMHO. There was enough of a delay between students that cheering was finished well before the next student's name was called. And it was kind of entertaining - someone's sibling stood up and proudly and loudly cheered for his little brother. It was actually adorable.

 

[mom2rtk]

DD14 just graduated 8th grade. One of her friend's mothers told me that she was going to blow an air horn when her daughter was called, even though we have been told not to bring anything that makes noise. She even told me "She's at the end of the alphabet, what are they going to do, kick me out?" I was irritated and tempted to warn administration but I doubt they would do anything, and if they did she would know it was me. Luckily there was no air horn at the ceremony so she must have chickened out (although I'm sure it's more likely her daughter talked her out of it).

They of course did the spiel before they started announcing names to please wait until all names have been called to applaud but right away people were cheering and clapping. It didn't negatively affect the ceremony IMHO. There was enough of a delay between students that cheering was finished well before the next student's name was called. And it was kind of entertaining - someone's sibling stood up and proudly and loudly cheered for his little brother. It was actually adorable.

There's time for it because only the ones who push the limit did it. If they actually allowed it, more would do it and it could still slow things down too much.

 

[jrmasm]

These days you could probably most stand out by dressing in as if you would for an important business meeting, clapping when your graduate's name is called just a little louder than you do for all the other graduates, and generally behaving with some quiet dignity.

Seriously, this.

I felt out of place at my DD's graduation a few weeks ago. We dressed nicely and left our cowbell at home.

Between the air horns, drums, ear piercing whistles, shrieks, blocked aisles, balloons etc. it really was an unpleasant experience.

 

[maxiesmom]

Seriously, this.

I felt out of place at my DD's graduation a few weeks ago. We dressed nicely and left our cowbell at home.

Between the air horns, drums, ear piercing whistles, shrieks, blocked aisles, balloons etc. it really was an unpleasant experience.

I could have written this very thing. My niece graduated from college, and even though they ask you not to do any of the above, some people still have to be loud and obnoxious. Yeah, your hooting and hollering so loud that you can't hear the next few graduate's names is soooo awesome!!!!!

 

[OKW8297]

Yup. I've been to two college graduations in the last month. One was for my son. I was floored by the tasteless, classless behavior of families. No consider For others at all.

 

[because]

I am so glad that security was all over the school of engineering graduation we recently attended. There was this obnoxious family behind us blowing an air horn and screaming for I can only guess all their child's friends. Some others went and complained and security came and escorted the whole family out of the graduation. How sad for them that they missed their child's walk across the stage but I was secretly glad we returned to a dignified celebration of the graduates.

 

[DisneyOma]

My older daughter's college graduation was outside in the rain. Luckily, it was live broadcast in a number of the lecture halls, so we sat inside (love the high tech lecture halls there - usb ports, outlets, etc at each seat!) and watched. It was pretty quiet inside

Younger daughter's college graduation was outside, under the flight path of the local airport, ugh! What were they thinking? Every 5-10 minutes a commercial jet would fly over.

Which reminds me of older daughter's valedictorian speech at high school graduation, when a classmate's family rented a plane to fly a banner over the football field during graduation, right in the middle of daughter's speech. She had to stop twice because no one could hear what she was saying.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am so glad that security was all over the school of engineering graduation we recently attended. There was this obnoxious family behind us blowing an air horn and screaming for I can only guess all their child's friends. Some others went and complained and security came and escorted the whole family out of the graduation. How sad for them that they missed their child's walk across the stage but I was secretly glad we returned to a dignified celebration of the graduates.

I guess the concept of Graduation "CEREMONY" is lost on many people now. The ceremony is, IMO, supposed to be impressive and solemn. To honor the graduates for what they've accomplished.

Any "celebrations" should come later with family/friends and as much noise as you want.

 

[penn19]

I guess the concept of Graduation "CEREMONY" is lost on many people now. The ceremony is, IMO, supposed to be impressive and solemn. To honor the graduates for what they've accomplished.

Any "celebrations" should come later with family/friends and as much noise as you want.

Pretty much how everything else is. Do whatever makes you happy and no consideration for others. And if you complain then you're the one with issues. There is no decorum anymore.

 

[Kitty 34]

Ask if you can walk across the stage and help your graduate grab the diploma!!!!


And of course I jest!!!!

 

[Hikergirl]

I actually agree that it it's all about the graduate. I wanted something to show off the graduate without blocking others' views. The matching shirts were cute but I wanted to see if there were other ideas.

Show off to who?
If you want your graduate to be able to see where you are in the crowd, maybe you all wear something that stands out, like a red and white striped shirt ala Waldo.
If you want to "show off" your graduate then I'm no help. Everyone there is there to see someone graduate, they aren't really going to care much about your child KWIM. If your idea is to show your child how proud you are, then stick an extra $50 in the card.

 

[xjillianpaige]

I wasn't looking for anyone in the audience when I walked across the stage (I've walked 3 times). I was more focused on not falling on my face or fumbling the diploma.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Nothing. Don't do anything. Seriously. Talk to your child after. Don't hold a sign. Don't whoop. Don't yell "Go ______!" Don't make some joke nobody but you and your child understands.

I guarantee you everyone at graduation is their for there own child. Nobody goes to the local high school graduation just because. The only people excited for your child graduating is you and your child and your child's friends. Showing off will just irritate everyone who is there for their own child.

Don't do anything.

 

[EMom]

People who do things such as blow air horns, bring balloons, whistle, etc. at graduation ceremonies are obnoxious and usually make it so you miss the next person's name being announced. So rude. At my college graduation, even though there were several thousand people in the audience, I was able to quickly locate my family because one member wore a bright yellow dress. Quiet, but very noticeable. Try that.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

Geesh, I hope Pinterest doesn't catch wind of this before the next 6 years are up and my last one graduates.

Graduating kids have just gone through 7 years of popularity contests in middle school and high school. Do we really need to start one-upping each other at high school graduation now, too?

There's time enough for that with their future weddings, babies, birthday parties, and raising their own kids. Let's give these poor kids Just One Day where everything doesn't have to be better than everyone else. Save the cutesy dress up gear for the graduation party!

 

[luvsJack]

I thought that was what the mortarboards were for! Seriously, at my DD21's graduation (last weekend), there were many more decorated mortarboards than there were posters or other decorations in the stands. DD is an education major, so hers said, "You believed in me, so I can believe in them (thanks, Mom and Dad)" There were several education references, with my second favorite being "Class Dismissed!"

In all honesty, I don't think recognizing parents would have worked at DD's college graduation. Her school does smaller ceremonies for the individual colleges, then a huge graduation for the entire class. We only attended the smaller one. There were more graduate degrees (master's and PhD's) than undergrads. I think at that level, parental support is less of a thing. Not that parents aren't supportive, but generally, these are students who have been independent for years, if not decades. At the huge graduation, the undergrads don't even walk, they just sit (although DD was on the jumbotron twice, she said). Luckily, they didn't catch her snoozing!

Oh, they decorate too.

To be honest, at the university graduations it wasn't just about recognizing their parents. It was anyone who gave them any kind of support and encouragement during their education. For my supervisor getting her PhD for example, it was her 3 kids who have been supportive and encouraging through out her years of school.

 

[because]

I actually agree that it it's all about the graduate. I wanted something to show off the graduate without blocking others' views. The matching shirts were cute but I wanted to see if there were other ideas.

How does your graduate feel about being shown off or their parents making a spectacle of themselves?

The reason you can't find other ideas on the internet is because it is a bad idea.

Although, there was that father in Oklahoma that recently that picked up his son from high school in a speedo and the video went viral. Might be an idea.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10155322983076667

edited to add video of speedo dad