School graduation ceremonies
From WikEd
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Description
Graduation ceremonies in the United States are often orchestrated procedures involving a march of students onto the stage, the reading of speeches, the giving of diplomas, and an official moment when the students are declared graduated. The march is often set to music, usually Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. In United States colleges and universities the speakers will include the salutatorian, an alumnus of the institution, possibly a famous speaker not associated with the institution, and the valedictorian. The giving of diplomas is usually the longest portion of the ceremony. One by one the graduates come forward, and each is given a diploma by a school official such as the dean. It is very common for graduates not to receive their actual diploma at the ceremony but instead a certificate indicating that they participated in the ceremony or a booklet to hold the diploma in. At the high school level this allows teachers to withhold diplomas from students who are unruly during the ceremony…from indopedia
Conflict Situations Associated with Graduation Ceremonies
The above describes a rather typical graduation ceremony including an anticipated conflict caused by so-called, unruly students. This conflict appears to be between those whose main goal is to provide a proper, solemn ceremony, of the types imaged from yonder years, and those who see it as a celebratory event that includes applauding, cheering and loud audience recognition, as in a sporting event.
The conflict is often most blatant when candidates walk across the stage to receive their diplomas amidst the silence of the audience, or the cheers, applause and loud recognition. Often the master of ceremonies cautions the audience to remain silent and to give all the graduates a round of recognition applause after all have received their diplomas. However, those in the audience who favor the celebratory mode disregard the admonition to remain silent until the end of the ceremony, and instead, cheer and applaud their favorite candidates as they walk across the stage.
The audience typically experiences a tension when some are so blatantly “rude�? that the master of ceremonies has to continue reminding everyone about the procedures, or even to stall the ceremony until it can be done correctly. Likewise, the celebratory audience wonders why everyone is not “into it�? with the good times. After all, a significant achievement is at hand, and often it is the result of a “community effort�?, so, why can’t the audience celebrate spontaneously with some noise?
Thus, a school community can find itself significantly divided at a time when everyone has a common goal, e.g., to recognize the achievements of their graduates.
Another common activity, which obviously recognizes achievements, is to have the validictorian speak. A suburban Chicago high school that is ranked in the Top 25 in the United States has decided to eliminate the "position" of validictorian. How will this affect the proceedings in future years? This person is meant to inspire his or her fellow classmates and now this person no longer exists. This, too, has the community divided.
Stories and Testimonies
- Tell some stories about what happens in your schools that are supportive of, or are variations on the above description. Or, is this conflict situation unique to the community of the primer?
The conflict situation is not unique to your community or even unique to graduation ceremonies. Growing up as a Roman Catholic, I have noticed the change in the wedding ceremony. At the end the groom would be invited to kiss the bride, the priest would present the new Mr. & Mrs., and the recessional music would begin. The celebratory atmosphere didn't begin until the couple left the church. Now there is usually a pause before the music in which the guests are invited to applaud for the new couple. I have experienced this conflict many times at numerous graduation ceremonies. I respect the solemnity of the ceremony but I also enjoy the celebratory atmosphere. I wonder if it is the direction of our society as a whole. Does it seem to reflect the change is the atmosphere of the classroom that has taken place through the century? -- Patti Forbes
I would not be too overly concerned about the loss of the "validictorian" position. When I graduated from high school (in the late 70's) we had no validictorian/salutitorian but instead had a top 10%. With a graduating class of close to 900 the competition for a first position in our class was intense. As it was some students missed being part of the top 10% by 0.001 of a point. The top 10% students were recognized for their academic achievements and our Senior Class President gave the inspirational speech. Can't say I can remember now exactly what it was about but it was appropriate at the time. -- Patti Forbes
At our local high school, the student body is generally kept under control with teachers sitting at the ends of every row of kids. That doesn't stop the families from cheering wildly when their student's name is announced. That was the situation when my own kids graduated. I really didn't like it as it disturbed what I felt should be a solemn occasion. Looking back I think it really bothered me because the announcer couldn't be heard over the cheering families and that wasn't fair to the kids who followed. I seem to recall 4 years later when my girls graduated from Illinois that polite applause and occasional cheering followed when names were called. It didn't seem to bother me then but it was a smaller group and no chance of 'missing' the next name. -Rhonda Hall
I always thought as a kid growing up that graduation was supposed to be atime of celebration! A time to throw your cap up and celebrate. As I became older I noticed this not happen very often and where I teach at this has never happened. Our principal also tells the audience to please hold their applause until the end so that each students name can be heard when it is announced. We very rarely have any problems and everything goes along smoothly. This is not the celebration I envisioned as a kid growing up! Bret Helms
Links/References to Alternative Graduation Ceremony Models That Purport to Overcome the Diversity Problem Described Above
- See this American Council of Education site on proper ceremonies - undergrads, however..
- Some Models?
One school in Plainfield moved the graduation time from an afternoon or evening session to one which takes place at 10:00 am to decrease the socialization times. The administration stated that it did make a difference.
