Looking back, and ahead, on Graduation Day
Ihave never doubted that I would graduate, that I would be able to stand up in front of my friends and family, accept my high school diploma and begin my transition out of high school. I have always loved academics and school. While there were the inevitable dramas, bad hair days and poorly done homework assignments, my overall high school experience was a positive one, and graduation seemed like the natural final step. To me, graduation from high school is the natural way for this experience to come to a close and for a teenager to take on a greater amount of responsibility and independence.
While the graduation rate in New Mexico is increasing each year, at 71 percent we are still well below the national average of just over 83 percent. There are always a number of students who don’t graduate from high school. Some may obtain their diploma in a less traditional way. These students do not inherit any less responsibility than those who do get a diploma, but the graduation ceremony itself is a way to concretely mark the time and the transition. Graduation formally passes the responsibilities of adulthood into the hands of each student and gives them a warm welcome with hugs and tears from family.
In Argentina, graduates are showered with sticky foods and sauces like ketchup and syrup to signify their transition. Swedish graduates don sailing hats. In the United Kingdom, celebrations are mostly held for university-level students. Despite the differences around the globe, graduation often brings a sense of real excitement. Celebrating with my family and my friends, with those who helped me study for each and every test — and also wisely distracted me when I was studying too hard — is necessary at the end of a long career in school. It is a way to honor the immense work of the students, teachers and parents, for each plays a pivotal role in the success of a graduate.
All through high school I held down multiple jobs and paid careful attention to my extremely busy schedule. While still enjoying the comfort of my family’s support, in most settings away from school I was already thinking of myself as an adult, or at least as a high school graduate. As graduation inched closer, I slowly realized in what ways and how far from adulthood I really am, and the event loomed with increasing importance, just waiting to shift me into the “real world.” I’m sure as each student ascends the stage to shake hands, pose for a photo and obtain their well-earned diploma, they will be filled with the odd mixture of uncertainty and excitement I feel in anticipation of the event. Graduation brings with it a summer of nostalgic activities, outings with each family member I will miss as I head to college, and frantic attempts at enjoying the free time before another four (or more) years of studying begin.
Graduation Day, to me, means recognizing the part that every person I’ve met has played in shaping me as a person and allowing me to thrive.