Showing posts with label graduations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduations. Show all posts
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Graduation season is upon us. Try not to act like an ass.
Regular readers know that I cover numerous graduations for our local paper. Last year I posted some basic unacceptable behaviors. I would like to elaborate on that as I get ready to attend the first of a handful of graduations tomorrow.
Wearing clothes that make you look like any of the following: a slut, an audience member on Maury, or an escaped convict: not appropriate.
Bringing children with you who are incapable of sitting for 10 minutes let alone 90 -- not appropriate.
Yelling things. Not appropriate. Someone should tell you that your child isn't more important than the child in front or behind him/her in line. Shouting things like "Way to go Dumbass" is disrespectful.
Answering your phone. Completely unacceptable and downright rude. I don't care if you're on call. I don't care if your waiting to hear if your grandchild was born. If your phone rings during graduation, you cannot answer. If you need to return that call, please exit.
Leaving during a speech. Not acceptable. Try to remember that these kids are 17 or 18. They are speaking in front of a ton of their peers and many of their loved ones. Clomping up the bleachers in your big ass shoes so you can get to your car first is unacceptable. In all honest, it makes me want to trip you.
Just because I'm taking notes doesn't mean I have extra paper to share with your irritating child. Asking me for my pen - unacceptable. It always amazes me just how perplexed people get when they see me taking notes at graduation. I must not look like a reporter.
Allowing your child to slide down the stadium bleachers. Not acceptable. Seriously? Someone needs to tell you this?
Can't wait to see what tomorrow night brings.
It's going to be hot out there. Just in case you were wondering, bikini tops are also unacceptable.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
2012 Graduation #4
Thankfully the crowd at my last graduation was much better behaved than the crowd prior.
There were no inappropriate remarks, no inappropriate chants and only an occasional cell phone conversation.
The weather was beautiful. Just under 200 students graduated. There were five speeches and a moment of silence for a deceased classmate.
My favorite quote was spoken by the high school principal.
Quoting
Vince Lombardi, she said, “’The difference between a successful person and
others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of
will
This graduation season I saw just under 1000 students receive their diplomas.
I heard approximately 25 speeches.
Only one included Dr. Seuss.
I was startled by at least four fog horns.
I heard people refer to the superintendent of their district in derogatory slurs.
I saw inappropriate signs.
I saw proud parents weep.
I heard idiots heckle.
I saw students hug, some for the last time.
I saw gaggles of teens ready to take on the world.
Here's hoping they learn from some of our mistakes.
Best Wishes to the entire Class of 2012.
May all your dreams come true.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
2012 Graduation #3
Approximately 190 students graduated. There were six speeches including the valedictorian, the salutatorian, the class president, the board president, the principal and the superintendent.
While the students were very well behaved, the audience took on a life of their own. Because of this, I posted on my facebook some
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
2012 Graduation No. #2
Many of you commented that the six speeches that I heard on Friday seemed excessive. Tonight's graduation had seven. This class consisted of approximately 230 students.
The speeches had a common theme and weren't excessively long. Suprisingly, the salutatorian didn't speak. The Valedictorian did as did the three other students who auditioned for the part.
The principal's speech was very moving by difficult to quote as he had many personal memories of the class that started at the high school the same year he did.
My favorite quote was spoken by the valedictorian who encouraged her classmates to step up onto the next rung of the ladder, to climb slowly, to comprehend deeply and to enjoy thoroughly.
Are you enjoying life throughly???
Monday, June 4, 2012
2012 Graduation No. #1
Friday was the first of many and under the threat of severe thunderstroms and a tornado warning, I watched as nearly 400 young adults received their diplomas.
There were six speeches, some better than others. Students were encourages to be a linchpin--to be indispensible.
Student speakers spoke of dreams and the future. There were quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt, from Seth Godin, even Walt Disney. Sadly, no one quoted Dr. Seuss (a favorite of mine)
My favorite quote of the evening was spoken by the valedictorian and was a quote from Dumbledore, the headmaster of Harry Potter fame. This years graduating class grew up with the Harry Potter stories. Most seniors were born in 1995.
"It does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live." ~ Albus Dumbledore
Are you dwelling on dreams and forgetting to live?
Monday, June 13, 2011
A lesson in audience behavior: what not to do
After attending nearly a half dozen graduations over the past few days I found myself completely appalled by the disrespect shown by certain members of the audience.
Clearly, it is time to review what NOT to do while attending a public event.
DO NOT let your preschool aged child play on the stadium banisters. This is distracting, as well as, dangerous. People are trying to take photos and now your kid's ass is hanging out and in their line of sight. You decided to bring your kid and now you need to make that kid sit. No banister swinging, no stair running, no resting in the aisle. If they are attending the event, then they should be old enough to watch it.
DO NOT get up and leave. Unless you are having a medical emergency, you do not get to leave before it is over. You especially do not get to leave in the middle of a valedictorian's speech while wearing big ass high heel shoes that sound like a tank trunk clanging on the stadium steps. You are an adult. You should know better.
DO NOT wear that. I realize we live in a casual world but of the outfits worn to graduation were unbelievable. The basics--your breasts should be covered, your dress should be a length that would be allowed in high school, and strangers should not be wondering if you are family or paid-by-the hour entertainment. I actually saw a girl in jeans that looked as if they had been shredded. Seriously, she didn't have a single pair with only one hole?
DO NOT let your preschool aged child play on the stadium banisters. This is distracting, as well as, dangerous. People are trying to take photos and now your kid's ass is hanging out and in their line of sight. You decided to bring your kid and now you need to make that kid sit. No banister swinging, no stair running, no resting in the aisle. If they are attending the event, then they should be old enough to watch it.
DO NOT get up and leave. Unless you are having a medical emergency, you do not get to leave before it is over. You especially do not get to leave in the middle of a valedictorian's speech while wearing big ass high heel shoes that sound like a tank trunk clanging on the stadium steps. You are an adult. You should know better.
DO NOT wear that. I realize we live in a casual world but of the outfits worn to graduation were unbelievable. The basics--your breasts should be covered, your dress should be a length that would be allowed in high school, and strangers should not be wondering if you are family or paid-by-the hour entertainment. I actually saw a girl in jeans that looked as if they had been shredded. Seriously, she didn't have a single pair with only one hole?
DO NOT stand up unless instructed to. Do you really think that you are the only person trying to take a photo? Do you really think your video is somehow more important than the person behind you. In case no one has told you lately, you aren't royalty. DOWN IN FRONT.
DO NOT keep passing your crying baby around. I know I said you are not allowed to leave, but that rule is void if your baby is screaming. If your baby is screaming, you are not only allowed to leave but you are encouraged to leave.
DO NOT sit through the processional. When the program indicates that you should stand up, that means you should stand up until someone tells you to sit. It doesn't mean you should stand up only until you see your graduate. It doesn't mean that you only have to stand for half the processional because "This class is frickin' big." It simply means get off your ass and stand. Be happy that you are able to.
DO NOT argue with other audience members. I will be the first to admit that this one can be hard. However, I encourage you not to yell profanities at people sitting around you. I implore you to treat others the way you would like to be treated. It's not that hard. Take a deep breathe and try it.
DO NOT bull horn your neighbor. For some reason, people feel the need to bull horn their graduates, cow bell their graduates, and even hold up signs displaying their pride over their graduates accomplishments. Ummm....did you notice the person sitting in front of you is wearing a hearing aide and you just blew it off their ear? WTF?
SHUT UP. You need to refrain from talking while others are speaking. Believe it or not there may actually be someone around you that is attempting to listen and write down what the speakers are saying.
All of the above happened at the five graduations I recently attended.
DO NOT keep passing your crying baby around. I know I said you are not allowed to leave, but that rule is void if your baby is screaming. If your baby is screaming, you are not only allowed to leave but you are encouraged to leave.
DO NOT sit through the processional. When the program indicates that you should stand up, that means you should stand up until someone tells you to sit. It doesn't mean you should stand up only until you see your graduate. It doesn't mean that you only have to stand for half the processional because "This class is frickin' big." It simply means get off your ass and stand. Be happy that you are able to.
DO NOT argue with other audience members. I will be the first to admit that this one can be hard. However, I encourage you not to yell profanities at people sitting around you. I implore you to treat others the way you would like to be treated. It's not that hard. Take a deep breathe and try it.
DO NOT bull horn your neighbor. For some reason, people feel the need to bull horn their graduates, cow bell their graduates, and even hold up signs displaying their pride over their graduates accomplishments. Ummm....did you notice the person sitting in front of you is wearing a hearing aide and you just blew it off their ear? WTF?
SHUT UP. You need to refrain from talking while others are speaking. Believe it or not there may actually be someone around you that is attempting to listen and write down what the speakers are saying.
All of the above happened at the five graduations I recently attended.
Are we becoming a society that is so self absorbed we can no longer understand how our actions are affecting the people around us?
Have you seen audience behavior recently that you found to be deplorable?
Have you seen audience behavior recently that you found to be deplorable?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
2011 Graduation #5
On Friday, even though the weather was perfect, graduation was held indoors. Apparently, since the gymnasium is air conditioned it will always be indoors. I'm not sure why, as graduation is so much better outside.
I saw just under 200 students receive their diploma, listened to five speeches and pondered why no on in the administration was wearing a cap or a gown. Usually this is traditional attire. Especially for those who have reached the level of Doctorate of Education.
This graduation season I saw nearly 1400 students receive their diploma, listened to more than 30 speeches, saw grandmothers cry, heard bull horns blow, watched moms lovingly attach mortarboards, and saw dads waver between manly handshakes or big boisterous hugs.
My favorite quote from the last graduation I attended was spoken by the high school principal and was also the class motto. I think it is a fitting ending to my graduation posts.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
How are you doing so far? Will once be enough?
Thursday, June 9, 2011
2011 Graduation #4
Tonight was my fourth graduation in six days and still NO DR. SEUSS. This is exceptionally disappointing.
When I left my house, it was storming something fierce. Hail was flying, rain was pouring but the farther south I got the nicer the weather became. Still I thought, they're never gonna have this outside. The rain is following me. It's gonna be here shortly. That would be stupid.
Much to my surprise the graduation was, indeed, in the stadium. Thunder boomed in the background as the first speaker took the stage. I even saw a couple of lightening flashes and wondered if metal bleachers were a good idea.
But nary a drop fell. I saw 384 students graduate. Listened to six speeches and one Phil Collins song. My favorite quote of the evening was spoken by the superintendent.
"It is the person who never gets started
that is destined to lose.”
Is there something you have yet to start?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
2011 Graduation #3
Outside graduations are the best.
I saw just over 200 students graduate, listened to 7 speeches and took this awesome picture of the kids tossing their caps.
My favorite quote of the evening was spoken by the superintendent and I think you will be able to figure out why. It's not Dr. Seuss, but it's close.
"The turtle is a great animal. In order for it to move, it has to stick its neck out.
Don't hid in a shell. Meet the challenges of your life head on."
Are you meeting the challenges of your life head on?
Monday, June 6, 2011
2011 Graduation #2
Tonight's graduation was beautiful and sad all at the same time. The seniors lost one of their own less than one month ago in a motorcylce accident. His chair remained empty as a reminder to all those in attendance that life holds no guarantees. That life is unpredictable.
His diploma was the first awarded and it was accepted by his parents. Eleven white doves where released and they circled the stadium quite a few times before they departed. Almost as if they were saying, "I don't want to go, but I can no longer stay."
The ceremony awarded 210 diplomas and provided six speeches to gather quotes from. My favorite quote was spoken by the valedictorian as she remembered the classmate that died all too soon.
"Anything can happen to us at anytime. Part of who we are is what we leave behind."
What kind of impression or mark do you want to leave behind?
Saturday, June 4, 2011
2011 Graduation #1
There is nothing quite like a graduation. Proud parents all around, grandparents with tears in their eyes, small children begging older siblings for a chance to wear their "cool hat".
Last night I watched as 388 young adults reached a major milestone in their life. I witnessed numerous hugs, a few tears, and tons of laughter.
I listened to 9 speeches (overkill) as well as one of my favorite songs from the musical Wicked "For Good".
My favorite quote from the evening was spoken with great enthusiasm but the co-president of the class.
"When you are submerged in an ocean of pure emotion,
sink down into life and experience it as it happens."
Are you experiencing life as it happens?
Saturday, June 12, 2010
2010 Graduation #4
Sadly graduation season came to a close Friday night. I covered four this year, which I suppose was about average for me though I like to cover at least five. This year I couldn't because so many of them were on the same night.
My favorite quote from yesterday evening?
Said by the valedictorian, "Someday your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching."
Of course I would be remiss if I didn't include this one as well. Said by the superintendent, who was quoting Arie Pencovici, "Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference."
This year I saw just under 1000 students graduate. I heard approximately 15 speeches by either students, faculty, or administrators as well as quite a few reverends.
It's been 20 years since my high school graduation and the older I get the more I am convinced that time really does fly.
The question I will leave you with is the one posed by the valedictorian...is the movie of your life worth watching? And who is playing the part of you?
My favorite quote from yesterday evening?
Said by the valedictorian, "Someday your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching."
Of course I would be remiss if I didn't include this one as well. Said by the superintendent, who was quoting Arie Pencovici, "Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you'll make a difference."
This year I saw just under 1000 students graduate. I heard approximately 15 speeches by either students, faculty, or administrators as well as quite a few reverends.
It's been 20 years since my high school graduation and the older I get the more I am convinced that time really does fly.
The question I will leave you with is the one posed by the valedictorian...is the movie of your life worth watching? And who is playing the part of you?
Saturday, June 5, 2010
2010 Graduation #3
Yesterday's graduation was forced indoors because of the weather. We have been having some wicked storms and I don't think the decision to move inside was a shock to anyone.
I'm happy to report that I not only got a Dr. Seuss quote, I practically got a Dr. Seuss speech. A student speaker sprinkled some of his most famous quotes sporadically throughout her entire speech.
Quite frankly this made up for the other two graduations where Seuss wisdom was lacking.
My favorite?
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You"
Of course, it wouldn't be graduation season if someone didn't quote Henry Thoreau--too wonderful not to mention.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
So I ask you my blogger buddies...are you authentic? Are you truer than true. Are you living the life which you have imagined?
I'm happy to report that I not only got a Dr. Seuss quote, I practically got a Dr. Seuss speech. A student speaker sprinkled some of his most famous quotes sporadically throughout her entire speech.
Quite frankly this made up for the other two graduations where Seuss wisdom was lacking.
My favorite?
"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You"
Of course, it wouldn't be graduation season if someone didn't quote Henry Thoreau--too wonderful not to mention.
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
So I ask you my blogger buddies...are you authentic? Are you truer than true. Are you living the life which you have imagined?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
2010 Graduation #2
I was certain that tonight's graduation would be rained out and forced into a tight sweaty gymnasium, but alas the administration decided to risk it all and hold it at the stadium.
As you know I love graduations, but I love them even more when they are outside on a beautiful evening.
That being said, tonight wasn't all that beautiful.
The sky was dark.
There was thunder rumbling in the distance.
As the 279 graduates marched out to that all too familiar tune of Pomp and Circumstance many of them lost their mortarboards.
I kept my fingers crossed for them that they would get through the entire commencement with no rain. By the time they started to announce the graduates, this seemed more and more unlikely.
So unlikely, in fact, that I headed toward the exit when they reached students with the last name beginning with H. I usually stay until the mortarboards fly, but I really didn't want to get wet and I really didn't want everything I'd written to get wet.
My favorite quote of the evening? Originally spoken by Louis Pasteur, and said by the salutatorian:
“Whether our efforts are, or not, favored by life, let us be able to say, when we come near the great goal, I have done what I could.”
So have you done what you could?
As you know I love graduations, but I love them even more when they are outside on a beautiful evening.
That being said, tonight wasn't all that beautiful.
The sky was dark.
There was thunder rumbling in the distance.
As the 279 graduates marched out to that all too familiar tune of Pomp and Circumstance many of them lost their mortarboards.
I kept my fingers crossed for them that they would get through the entire commencement with no rain. By the time they started to announce the graduates, this seemed more and more unlikely.
So unlikely, in fact, that I headed toward the exit when they reached students with the last name beginning with H. I usually stay until the mortarboards fly, but I really didn't want to get wet and I really didn't want everything I'd written to get wet.
My favorite quote of the evening? Originally spoken by Louis Pasteur, and said by the salutatorian:
“Whether our efforts are, or not, favored by life, let us be able to say, when we come near the great goal, I have done what I could.”
So have you done what you could?
Saturday, May 29, 2010
2010 Graduation #1
Regular readers of this blog will remember that I love graduation season. It is full of hope, full of joy and usually full of crap. I love hearing 17 year-olds talk about life. It makes me smile.
That being said I covered the first of a handful that I'm writing about this year and it was a tiny one.
Only 37 graduates. I'm pretty sure that I've been to a preschool graduation that had more kids than this Christian school. That being said, other than size, it was a fairly traditional commencement. Starting with opening remarks, words from the salutatorian and the valedictorian as well as the guest speaker. For the most part the graduates and those in attendance were well behaved. No silly string; no blow up dolls.
Dr. Seuss was not quoted, which is always a let down for me. Surprisingly, an advertisement from an Apple computer campaign made it into the valedictorian's speech.
"Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…they push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Here's hoping that one of those kids knows a little bit about plugging up oil spills. The Gulf Coast sure could use some help.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Friday High Five: Graduations
I know some of you are rolling your eyes at this, but today for Friday High Five I decided to list the five things I love about graduations. It's a sickness--so humor me.
This time of year I spend quite a few hours at commencement ceremonies as part of my job. This year I'm covering at least five for the paper. I really don't mind though because they are filled with contagious amounts of hope and excitement.
Things I enjoy include:
This time of year I spend quite a few hours at commencement ceremonies as part of my job. This year I'm covering at least five for the paper. I really don't mind though because they are filled with contagious amounts of hope and excitement.
Things I enjoy include:
- Speeches Like I said, it's a sickness. However, I love to hear the graduates talk. Talk about the promises of the future. Talk about the difficulties of saying goodbye. Talk about the struggles they have already overcome.
- Hope Many of these kids aren't much older than my children. As cliche as it might sound they are the future and this, usually, gives me a lot of hope. Hope that they can turn things around. Hope that one of them may be the answer to the woes of cancer. Hope that they will truly change the world.
- Excitement As students walk up to gather their diploma into their hands for the first time, many families shout with joy. There are hoots and hollers and sometimes the occasional bull horn. It is impossible not too smile.
- Flashes of the future As silly as it might sound I can picture my own children's graduation quite vividly as I sit there. Substituting faces and speeches with kids I know. Trying to wonder who will be the val or the sal and what they will look like as young adults.
- Songs A lot of pomp and circumstance (pun intended) goes into these events and song selection is, indeed, one of them. My favorite choice "For Good" from the Broadway musical Wicked
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About Me
- kisatrtle
- I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
