Keep cowbells, air horns away from grad ceremonies
Dear Annie: Yesterday, I attended my son’s much anticipated college graduation from a very celebrated institution. Despite our hefty investment in education, what were we treated to? Graduates in cutoff shorts and flip-flops and mortarboards with raunchy slogans written on them. Many graduates reeked of alcohol and were still visibly under the influence.
The behaviour of the audience when they handed out degrees was startling: air horns, wolf whistles, bellowing, screaming and other inappropriate responses. What should have been a respectful, dignified celebration was tarnished by the too common behaviour of a rock concert.
I am in my late 40s and am not a prude. But I feel such formal events, which ought to warrant a respectful and courteous audience, have instead disintegrated into chaos. So, please tell your readers: If you are going to a graduation this spring, please set a good example for your children and others. Don’t holler. Don’t stand on your seat and scream. Don’t bring air horns, cowbells or whistles. Stand and applaud respectfully. Offer your support before and after the ceremony. Please don’t diminish the success and accomplishment of the graduates with your ill-conceived and unappreciated conduct.
Graduates: Dress and act your role as accomplished academics. Save the beachwear for another day. Stand tall and accept the congratulations due. Everyone will be appreciative, especially your family. — A Graduate’s Mom
Dear Mom: Good advice, and we hope at least some in the crowd will pay attention. People get excited. In some places, commencement exercises have become raucous free-for-alls. The school should make an announcement to the graduates beforehand, and to the audience prior to the ceremony, explaining what type of behaviour is expected.
Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar,
longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@comcast.net, or write to Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.