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

[StarGirl11]

To be honest...theres a good chance even if you stand out somehow the kid won't notice. All I remember from my HS graduation is my internal repeated mantra of 'Don't trip.' (I was wearing shoes with a thick elevated heal, I normally wear flats) and making sure I did what I was supposed to do. Mom said that my family and friends were making noise but I was so caught up in the moment that it never registered.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Every year for my high school's graduation they ask family and friends not to cheer or clap for their individual graduate. That announcement was made no less than three times prior to the ceremony last week. What I have noticed is that the students who are known to be highly successful, well-behaved, and classy usually walk the stage in silence. The students who have had continual behavior issues and low grades tend to evoke the loudest and most obnoxious cheers.

I get that there are times when we should choose not to follow rules and we must be strong and independent and unique. A graduation ceremony is probably not one of those times.

 

[luvsJack]

Every year for my high school's graduation they ask family and friends not to cheer or clap for their individual graduate. That announcement was made no less than three times prior to the ceremony last week. What I have noticed is that the students who are known to be highly successful, well-behaved, and classy usually walk the stage in silence. The students who have had continual behavior issues and low grades tend to evoke the loudest and most obnoxious cheers.

I get that there are times when we should choose not to follow rules and we must be strong and independent and unique. A graduation ceremony is probably not one of those times.

Lol. Funny, it was just the opposite at niece and nephews graduation. Their school sits the students in order of ranking. The first 10 got the most cheers. The class President and valedictorian got the most.

At dd's graduation last year it was pretty much equal through the class.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Lol. Funny, it was just the opposite at niece and nephews graduation. Their school sits the students in order of ranking. The first 10 got the most cheers. The class President and valedictorian got the most.

At dd's graduation last year it was pretty much equal through the class.

Did they announce several times that families should not clap or cheer so that all families could hear their graduate's name? At our graduation, they announce the valedictorian and the class president near the beginning of the ceremony and they both give speeches. That is when they get applause. When the students' names are being called and they are receiving their diplomas, they do not announce those honors separately.

 

[Lyricallie]

It's times like this I'm glad I'm British haha!

I would be mortified if my family did something like this. Even things like spelling out t-shirts. At my graduation my family dressed up smart - wedding type attire (without the hats). We had our ceremony in an old converted church hall. Families clapped and maybe a cheeky cheer but that's it. Then a champagne and strawberries reception during pictures. Very nice and classy.

 

[luvsJack]

Did they announce several times that families should not clap or cheer so that all families could hear their graduate's name? At our graduation, they announce the valedictorian and the class president near the beginning of the ceremony and they both give speeches. That is when they get applause. When the students' names are being called and they are receiving their diplomas, they do not announce those honors separately.

Yes they made the announcement several times but they also spaced the kids apart enough for the cheering they know is going to happen. The class president/valedictorian was the same person. She did make a speech. Actually two because she also presented the class gift to the school. Then she went back to her seat and after the superintendent spoke, she was the first one called to get her diploma and that is when the loud cheers and whoops and such were given. Like I said, the cheers and clapping were actually the loudest for the top 10 (first 10 called to get their diploma). They didn't announce their honors or anything except when introducing the valedictorian for her speech. But they were seated by rank.

DD's school didn't seat them by rank. They were alphabetical. Awards Night is the time at that school when the honors and special honors and top 10 and all that is presented. At graduation, if you don't know what the cords and such mean, you wouldn't know who was ranked where. I knew because I have known most of these kids since preschool so while I didn't know their gpa, I knew close to their ranking. The cheers and clapping where the same over the class. No different from the top kid in the class than it was that was the trouble maker on the bottom (which btw, getting in trouble a lot doesn't necessarily equal having low grades or visa versa nor do either mean "not classy")

 

[AmazingGrace]

My two boys were the last ones called. Z last name in a class of 800. Parents hold start cheering and yelling as my boys' names were called. The joke in our family is thay the cheers were for them. My dd graduates next year, but she's in the top 5% in her class, so I think those kids get called separately, if I remember correctly. I hope so. Her class is up to over 900.
I agree, it's supposed to be about the graduates. Not the parents or anyone else.

 

[NotUrsula]

For Pete's sake, practice some dignity. I can't begin to imagine wearing a tee shirt to a graduation ceremony, let alone holding signs and balloons. You should dress up a bit to attend a graduation; it's like going to a wedding service. When I graduated from college my mother wore a very pretty linen suit, and that was typical of the parents in the crowd.

If you want your graduate to know where you are, find your seats, count the rows, and then text the location; they will all be checking their phones one last time as they get ready to line up to walk.

 

[Magpie]

At my son's high school graduation ceremony, there was a family on the other side of the hall who literally started ululating when their boy walked the stage. As in, full out screaming warbles that went on for quite awhile.

I don't think anyone was impressed, though if their goal was to be memorable, they certainly achieved it.

I leaned over to my husband and said, "I guess they really didn't expect the lad to graduate."

 

[Poohforyou]

Lol. Funny, it was just the opposite at niece and nephews graduation. Their school sits the students in order of ranking. The first 10 got the most cheers. The class President and valedictorian got the most.

At dd's graduation last year it was pretty much equal through the class.

That's horrible that they're seated by ranking. What a way to call out kids who may have tried much harder than lots of other kids but just not have done as well.

My daughter is lucky she's a quick learner. She's done very well in high school but it more because of natural ability than hard work.

 

[lifesavacation]

I've had 3 graduate. The graduating class sizes were 650+. The ceremonies were held in the district football stadium, and even that didn't hold all the spectators. The names were called fast and it really was important for parents to hold applause. It was so annoying to have people that didn't listen. The graduation party is the appropriate place for balloons/shirts/bounce house/etc (that's sarcasm, btw). Not during a ceremony where other families are impacted by the obnoxious cheering and signs.

 

[Magpie]

That's horrible that they're seated by ranking. What a way to call out kids who may have tried much harder than lots of other kids but just not have done as well.

My daughter is lucky she's a quick learner. She's done very well in high school but it more because of natural ability than hard work.

At my university grad, the announcer sounded like he was calling scores at an athletic event.

Normal voice: Tom Jones, Bachelor of Arts.

Slightly more emphasis: Betsy Bobbins, Bachelor of Arts, cum laude!

Louder still: Reginald Jackson, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude!!

And shouting: Darla leRoy, Bachelor of Arts, SUMMA cum LAU - DAY!!!

I kept giggling, through it all (I was just a regular old cum laude).

 

[Flight]

I have been to more than one graduation where the hooting and hollering by one family resulted in another family not being able to hear their graduate's name being called.

No class.

 

[sasywtch]

I am a victim of missing my daughter's college graduation receiving her diploma. We were in a theatre type atmosphere with tiered seating. We were all asked not to applause or stand at any time. They called my daughter's name and just as she got to get her diploma/shake the hand, the whole family in front of me stood up to cheer their daughter that just came up the step to be called next. I had my camera angled just right and instead, got a picture of someone's back.

I like the previous person's idea, text them where you are and if you must....wear a bright shirt.

 

[luvsJack]

That's horrible that they're seated by ranking. What a way to call out kids who may have tried much harder than lots of other kids but just not have done as well.

My daughter is lucky she's a quick learner. She's done very well in high school but it more because of natural ability than hard work.

I didn't like it either. I can't imagine being that last kid called especially if its someone who really tried but just couldn't make the grade.

 

[DisneyOma]

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.

I go to the local graduations without any family members graduating. I go to see the kids I worked with for four years, so I guess it's not 'just because', but I'm not there for one kid in particular. More like a quarter of the class?

For Pete's sake, practice some dignity. I can't begin to imagine wearing a tee shirt to a graduation ceremony, let alone holding signs and balloons. You should dress up a bit to attend a graduation; it's like going to a wedding service. When I graduated from college my mother wore a very pretty linen suit, and that was typical of the parents in the crowd.

If you want your graduate to know where you are, find your seats, count the rows, and then text the location; they will all be checking their phones one last time as they get ready to line up to walk.

Ugh, hopefully they have a secure place to put the phone before the ceremony - how many will be smart enough to make sure it is on silent the entire time, or strong enough not to take it out during the ceremony to text a friend?

That's horrible that they're seated by ranking. What a way to call out kids who may have tried much harder than lots of other kids but just not have done as well.

My daughter is lucky she's a quick learner. She's done very well in high school but it more because of natural ability than hard work.

I see it as the beginning of the snowflake melt! Hopefully they are done with it by the time they get to college or the workforce.

I didn't like it either. I can't imagine being that last kid called especially if its someone who really tried but just couldn't make the grade.

The last kid should be proud that he/she stuck with it and graduated. Why do you think it's a stigma to be the last one in the class ranking? They worked at it (or not) and managed to graduate.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

If you want to wear the same brightly colored shirts, fine. Anything you decide on should be respectful of the graduates and the other families. Standing, yelling, whistles, balloons, air horns, etc. are not acceptable if it means the next family can't hear their child's name announced or they can't see their child walk across the stage because of you. The focus has to be on the graduates, not on attention seeking family members.

Yup - So true. They still allow the stupid balloons at our High School Graduation but have asked that people with them only sit in the top section of the bleachers so they don't block views - I'm sure you can imagine how well that is followed in todays all about me society. Everything else has been banned - no air horns, no whistles or yelling. Edited to add: Students can't decorate their hats either.

I really appreciate that since I like to hear and see my student graduate. I've got the final one coming up in 2018.

 

[sasywtch]

This was at my grandson's 6th grade graduation. The entire time, all I could think of was this thread. They were suppose to have it on the soccer field but it rained so they set up canopies and told parents to bring fold up chairs. Everything is good until this woman stands behind her friends and in front of some kid's grandparents. She had a son about 15 standing next to her. The grandfather person behind her asked her to sit. As rude as ever, she turns around and tells him he should have gotten there earlier. (There are about 3 more rows of seats behind the grandparents. Keep in mind, she walked up AFTER the grandparents had been sitting there.

Her 15 year old son left to go in the back but this woman stood there the entire time with her phone/camera up. Too bad her 15 year old has better sense than she does. I would never think to stand up if I wasn't in the last row (but you know, her son is special to be graduating) and 2, I would never speak to a 70 (looked to be) year old person like that ever. What is wrong with people? (the whole time I kept thinking the grandma sitting behind her kind of looked like her but they weren't related).

oops sorry the picture is so big, I reduce it to 50%

 

[sasywtch]

\

Hopefully this one is smaller but you can see the grandfather. He had a view of her fanny.

edited to add: I know someone will say "why were you taking pictures of her while my grandson was graduating".....I really wanted to say something but kept my mouth shut out of respect for my grandson, could care less if her rude face makes it on this site and it was in a long lull of the ceremony.

 

[sam_gordon]

I didn't like it either. I can't imagine being that last kid called especially if its someone who really tried but just couldn't make the grade.

If they didn't make the grade, they wouldn't be graduating.