by Joseph Gallagher

Created on: May 24, 2008

While sitting up on the stage, the only thought on your mind is " I'm graduating, this is it!" However, as names are called you hear a cheer come out of a section of the crowd for one kid. And then absolutely nothing for the next kid, and then a cheer for another kid, and then again absolutely nothing. There are a few things that I feel aren't fair to students at graduation ceremonies:

1.) Each and every student up on that stage, wearing that gown, has earned their spot up there. If they have not finished the required coursework to graduate, then they will not be sitting up there. Yes, some kids have higher GPA's than others, however each student sitting on that stage has met the requirements to receive that high school diploma. As students are called up to the stage, they should each be treated like the next student in line. However, when one is called up, a cheer may go up in the crowd. OK, that is great for that student. But imagine how the next student feels who has no one cheering for him?

2.) Some families are larger than others. I myself am an only child, and my step-dad works at our rival high school. He had to drive over to my school last year (Class of 06!) from our rival school, who were also having their graduation at the same time. For just my mom and step-dad , the two of them could scream their heads off and would not make as much noise as the kid's family with the mom, dad, grand-mom , granddad , sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins , cousins once, twice removed, etc. When those families cheer, it is obnoxious, not only to those around them, but to everyone on stage. To be honest, if that were my family, I would probably be embarrassed .

3.) Say a family of 6 is sitting next to someone's mom. The child belonging to the family of 6 has his or her name read aloud, and the family screams with happiness. And then the next name is read. But the mother misses her child's name being read. That one moment that her child has worked for, and that one moment that that mother has waited for, gone. That moment, gone because of the loud obnoxious family cant just wait and cheer at the end like normal individuals, like the rules state.

4.) I can remember sitting up on the stage (it was an outdoor stage) and seeing parents holding up signs for their children, or standing up at a quiet moment and screaming their child's name and waving their hands. Why do this? What about the people sitting behind you trying to see the stage while you have your obnoxiously large sign in front of their faces? What ever happened to common courtesy?

I feel that many students definitely lose out because of unruly parents at their graduation ceremonies. Each and every child has earned their spot up on that stage. Each and every child should be given the same respect as the next one, because they too, as well as the parents, should be allowed to hear their friends' names, and their classmates' names. They should all be able to share that moment together, as a class, the graduating class. Parents, you too can be a part of that moment in your child's life, but you need to remember...it is the CHILD'S MOMENT. And most of all, it is their class's moment: the day they finally graduate from high school.

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