I assume you’ve already heard this story, as it’s making the rounds of the major media, but if you haven’t: Some high-school students had their diplomas held because their families cheered too boisterously during the ceremony. The full story can be found here, in this article from the Chicago Tribune.
First, are you kidding? Graduating high school is a monumental occasion, possibly the single biggest victory in some families’ lives. So, uh, what’s the big deal in the families making it a big deal? What’s wrong with cheering, confetti, etc.? Heck, they should give parents of graduating seniors bull-horns to announce their joy to the world.
Second, yeah, I hear the other side, that the cheering prevents other parents from hearing their own kids’ names. Except, gee whiz, shouldn’t the ceremony leaders be managing that? Just like on tv, you wait for the applause to die down and then you announce the next name. Why the big deal?
And third, was the big deal race-related?
What do you think? Please, take 45 seconds and post a comment. Your opinion drives this website!
[tags]parenting, kids, secrets, communication, talking, confessions, trust[/tags]
Photo graciously provided by kasei, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
10 responses so far ↓
Erica // Jun 6, 2007 at 10:00 am
I’m with you Stu, sounds utterly ridiculous to me.
Is it not against rules to hold back diplomas considering those in question weren’t actually the one’s doing the cheering (not that there’s anything wrong with that anyway!!)
Stu Mark // Jun 6, 2007 at 10:05 am
Right! I totally forgot to mention that. Why didn’t the parents receive fines or something? Why hold back the kids’ diplomas, when they were acting super-nice…?
To me, the big issue that should be discussed is, why don’t all schools learn that celebrating academic achievement should be supported, costs be damned. Let ‘em use Silly String if they want, this is about our kids becoming smarter. It’s not like our current leaders are the best and the brightest, we should be doing everything in our power to make sure our kids become the leaders we need them to be.
Eden // Jun 6, 2007 at 10:48 am
Garsh, around here there’s always lots of cheering & excitement. It’s a joyous occasion. So what if people clap & cheer? It may be rude or annoying to other people but punishing the students for the behavior of others? Ridiculous.
Besides, they have graduated. Nothing can change that fact. It’s just a useless scrap of paper they’re not getting. I would tell the school district where they could stick my diploma.
Mr. Fabulous // Jun 6, 2007 at 10:52 am
My opinion? Really?
I have no problem with cheering. More power to them. I WOULD take issue if it had been a cowbell and airhorn situation like the one a few years before. I don’t even like those at sporting events.
And silly string? Stu, Stu, Stu, it’s all fun and games until someone gets it in their eye…
Slouching Mom // Jun 6, 2007 at 11:27 am
I think it’s preposterous and shameful that these kids had their diplomas withheld.
Dangermouse // Jun 6, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Absolutely absurd! If we start suppressing an event that is supposed to be one’s crowning achievement into adulthood, what’s next? Neither of my parents or grandparents graduated HS, so when it came time for me, you bet your hinie they cheered!
I agree with you Stu. It is, without doubt, the Faculty’s responsibility to account for cheering and noise, and to either pause before the next name, or get a louder sound setup!
And as for the race card…
In this day and age isn’t it getting old and dry? People are so quick to rest on racial prejudice in the smallest happenings that don’t go their way. What people don’t seem to understand is that by doing this, we are segregating ourselves more and more. I keep praying for humanity to become blind to skin color.
Misty // Jun 6, 2007 at 2:55 pm
They (aka School Officials) all really need to lighten up if you ask me. Do we have to be so serious at such a glorious and momentous event? It took the parents twelve years to get these kids through that diploma line! I’m surprised they weren’t breaking out the kegs and tailgating in the parking lot!
Dangermouse // Jun 6, 2007 at 3:05 pm
LOL Misty! Heck yeah!
Abel // Jun 7, 2007 at 3:01 am
It seems that no one agrees to what the college has done. What’s the problem here? If you don’t want people to cheer then set the rules up front (for my case, it was totally a serious, no joke official ceremony but heck we were informed to “behave” like that before hand, so it’s not a big deal.) Or better still hold the ceremony at a place where parents don’t know.
Come on, just have some fun. This world is full choke of serious stuff already.
Finn // Jun 7, 2007 at 6:57 am
Oh hell. Once again, a completely overblown, knee-jerk reaction to a small problem. Ban the airhorns and cowbells if they are being abused, but let these people celebrate, and let the kids bask in it. They’ve all earned it!
And punishing the kids for things they can’t control… next they’ll be prosecuting rape victims.
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