High School commencement is a long established public ceremony to recognize student achievement. A time to honor the students and to convey our appreciation of completion of a task, a goal met, applause for a job well done.
It is not an athletic event. It is not a carnival. It is not a raucous, gaudy grandstand performance.
It is noteworthy that throughout the extended June 15 Arlington High School commencement exercises, the graduates, from the time of their entrance, during the several activities and in the lengthy diploma awarding, conducted themselves with decorum. Respectful of one another.
The same cannot be said of the audience. The printed admonition to refrain from applause, yelling and noisy intrusions during the ceremony was ignored by many. As diplomas were presented, there were arm waving, floor thumping, horn blasts, whistling. A negative and demeaning impact on what is a celebration of accomplishment to be celebrated with dignity. Students entitled to respect, honor and positive recognition were instead given voluble hoopenholler. They deserved more.
Celebrating is a good thing, an important aspect of a joyful event. But exuberant behavior is appropriate following the formal ceremony of graduation. Again, the graduates modeled this format, saving their exhilaration till tassels have been turned and the formal ceremony completed.
There were other regrettable demonstrations of disrespect and inconsideration of others. Throughout the student addresses and musical selections, children noisily ran from one end of the stadium to the other women wearing stiletto heels clicked loudly on the metal walkways during valedictorian speeches. At times the noise volume was so intense that some parents could not hear when their graduating son or daughter was named at the podium for diploma award.
Balloons obliterated the view of the dais for others, preventing family members and friends from seeing their cherished student receiving her/his diploma. Some high schools do not permit balloons in the commencement area. We suggest the decree be considered for future Arlington High School graduation ceremonies (if such a ruling was implemented and then ignored, it is likely many a grandma would be a willing volunteer with a hatpin).
It is not to be a curmudgeon in voicing these concerns. Legions of us envision a graduation ceremony as an expression of honor for students having achieved a goal. We gather to applaud them in a dignified manner. To show them respect. To encourage them in their next ventures.
We hoped the Arlington class of 2007 would recall their graduation from Arlington High School as a ceremony where they were honored and respected. Unfortunately, they may well remember their commencement as a rowdy free-for-all.
Hazel Venables
Arlington