Tonight's activities were already scheduled to be indoors and that's a good thing because rain began falling about 45 minutes before the commencement was to begin.

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 basic commencent behaviors that I will now share with you.

Screaming way to go dumbass...not appropriate.

Holding a sign that says congratu F'in Lations ... not appropriate.

Wearing your pajamas...not appropriate

Blowing an airhorn indoors (or outdoors)...not appropriate.

Wearing your beard in a braid...not appropriate.

Wearing anything that shows off your ass crack...not appropriate.

And last but not least...referring to anyone with a doctorate in education as a fucking moron...not, at all, appropriate.

While I received my long awaited Dr. Seuss quote from the class president...

Tonight marked the second of my handful of graduations.  It was outside and chilly.  Almost felt like a fall football game.

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???

Friday was the start of my graduation season.  If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you probably already know that I love graduation.  I usually cover at least a handful of them for the paper. 

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.

Graduation season, for me, is officially over.  My last graduation was Friday.  Although, I attended five, sadly no one provided any Dr. Seuss wisdom.


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.

There was a threat of rain today and I was concerned that commencement might be forced indoors.  So I was delighted when the threat passed and I was again able to attend an outside graduation.

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.

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.

Last night was a great night to open the graduation season for me.  The sky was clear, there was a light breeze in the air and the excitement was electric.


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.