Bonny Eagle Graduation Snafu

Since I attended the Bonny Eagle graduation, a few folks have asked me to comment on the situation where two seniors were not given their diplomas at the ceremony - instead, they would have to pick them up later. And a lot of folks were outraged. In fact, the mother of one of the students even had half of the story posted on YAHOO, courtesy of WMTW-TV, who only reports half the story as well. Now the country is in an uproar BECAUSE the media is only reporting the part of the story the mother related to them, without even bothering to investigate.

I say half, because they neglect to tell the whole story.

Let me begin by saying that every senior was asked in advance to comport themselves as adults, without engaging in any antics that might disrupt the ceremony. They were also warned that if they were to engage in antics, they would not get their diploma at the ceremony.

Now, that is an important part of the story that the "angry" folks are not telling. It seems to me that graduation is a rite of passage into adulthood, and if the students are asked to act as such, they have an obligation to do so. And if the administrator warns that disruptive students will not receive their diploma, then the administrator must follow through or else she would be seen as a paper tiger, and would never again be able to command the respect of students, which is essential in a school.

Now on to the story. They were specifically asked not to use blow-up balls and the like. Yet, one student completely ignored the request - and the subsequent reaction - and sent beach balls flying. And it disrupted a ceremony that most people believe is a serious and solemn occasion.

When caught, that student was escorted out, and I believe that was appropriate under the circumstances - he knew the consequences, and was now an adult, and should be expected to accept the responsibilities of his actions. Not because he threw beach balls, but because he purposely and with intent disobeyed the administration, and in so doing, disrupted the ceremony for everyone else.

The second student to not receive a diploma is a somewhat different story. He walked halfway across the stage, then stopped. He blew a kiss to his mother. Fine. But then he took out his "academic cord" and flayed it around, as if showing off or bragging, and then bowed from the waist, which seemed arrogant, though it may have been meant otherwise. And it caused disruption in the ceremony. But here is something many are not aware of - according to teachers and students, the "academic cord" he pulled out from under his robe and shook at everyone was not even real - it was homemade, and he was told NOT to wear or display it. So it would seem that his "innocent actions" were not so innocent after all. Flailing that cord at the parents was a statement of "See! I have a cord, too! These idiots behind me are no smarter than I." He demeaned and belittled the academic achievements of those who really were honor students. He made a mockery of it.

Technically, since he, too, did not obey the rules set forth, and he, too, disrupted the ceremony, it would be technically correct for administration to keep his diploma. But I believe the administration could have exercised a little restraint in this instance, and the student may not have had malicious intent in mocking honor students. I think it would have been appropriate for the administrator to admonish him as he picked up his diploma, but his diploma should have been issued.

In closing: many people tend to dismiss such behavior as these students engaged in, without even bothering to note that there is an important principle at stake. By dismissing the behavior, the principles by which civilization exists are also dismissed.

The seniors are supposed to be entering adulthood. As such, they must know that any action will have consequences, and adults are expected to accept responsibility for their actions. In the case of the first senior, he simply made the (bad) choice to intentionally disrupt the ceremony for everyone, regardless of the consequences. He acted like a child, not an adult.

In the case of the second senior, he, too, knew that his actions were, at best, somewhat disruptive, and chose to do it anyway. But he figured his actions were too minor to warrant the consequences. He was wrong.

In this life, when you guess wrong, you get caught.

Now, here is my position: the first student deserved to be escorted out. His was a blatant determination to oppose the administration in charge. Had he done that in the military, he would be in the brig. On the job, he would be fired. It is better that he learn the lesson now, rather than later when it will cost him far more than a piece of paper.

The second student should have received his diploma. I think the administrator was a bit too self-absorbed and went too far. Certainly, she was within her right to do so, but the punishment simply did not match the offense. A simple reprimand would have been sufficient.

The graduation ceremony is a ceremony, not a celebration. The celebration comes afterward. And with 300 students graduating, if each were allowed even 30 SECONDS EACH to showboat, that would add 2.5 hours to the ceremony that is already two hours long! That is unacceptable. And that is why students are required to sign a code of conduct that prohibits such antics until after the ceremony.

These students need to learn an important "life lesson" - it's not all about YOU. We are all in this. And if you insist on making it about you, you are going to piss people off. Each of us needs to be respectful of others. What these students did, while not a major crime, certainly does disrespect everyone else present. And by stealing the limelight, they are taking away from the moment for all the others. And that is selfish.

Time enough to show your mom how you feel AFTER the ceremony, during the after-ceremony celebration.

"To every thing there is a season". The ceremony was neither the time nor the place for antics, grandstanding or selfish showboating.

And that is my take.

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