Denying HS Diploma Because of Cheers? Penalty too Harsh?

[AKA2D '91]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070602/...uation_decorum


I know a student at our HS graduation was denied his diploma because he was DRUNK. He had to stay with me one day before he could receive his diploma. only because I wasn't to see anymore students.

Then going back to the graduation, it was utterly ridiculous. It was one of the most rowdy spectacles I've seen in a long time. Yes, parents and loved ones are excited, but some things were just over the top. I know I saw police taking those bull horns from guests. I thought I was at a football game.

I know as one progresses academically, the requirements for graduates and families are outlined AND ENFORCED.

Where does one draw the line? Is it only okay for HSs?

[carnation]

For the last 5 years, our kids' high school graduation ceremonies have been ruined by cheering. Somehow it's got to be stopped and warnings don't do a thing; neither does issuing invitations. People don't just stop at cheering, they get up and do coordinated dances, wave flags, etc.

Our daughter got 2 degrees from Georgia Southern in the past couple of years. We didn't hear her name either time because of the cheering and dancing going on for the guy before or I think, even 2-3 guys before her. No one has the right to ruin a formal ceremony.

I am all for posting policemen every few feet in the stand if that's what it takes.

[Senusret I]

Decorum is very important to me. I don't even attend high school graduations anymore for that reason.

[CrimsonTide4]

School officials said they will hear students and parents out if they appeal. Meanwhile, the school said the five students can still get their diplomas by completing eight hours of public service work, answering phones, sorting books or doing other chores for the district, situated about 150 miles southwest of Chicago.

I think it is a bit harsh to make the students receive the punishment such as this. I say escort the offenders out and keep it moving.

Also, the person calling out the names can space the names out until the noise dies down. It's been about five years since I have been to a HS graduation.

Decorum in general has become a lost art in our society, IMO.

[AKA2D '91]

It takes too long if you wait like that. We had over 300 graduates. The ceremony was a little more than an hour. I missed most of GA that night. I believe it was the season finale or the week prior to the finale.

If I wasn't working at a HS, there would be no way that I'd attend a graduation. Since my niece is graduating in '09, and I'm not working at a HS , I'll be there with bells on.

[ageniuschild]

I have mixed feelings in regards to the situation. I've attended some HS graduations and have been utterly appaled and embarassed.

In one vein, the graduate can't control his/her family from the stage while they are receiving their diplomas, and limiting the number of attendees (through tickets) doesn't guarantee that your family will act like they have some sense.

I don't think the graduate should be penalized for the antics of their family or friends. I'd have to say...warn your family and friends in advance that if they act up or violate any rules of conduct, they could jeopardize the graduate from receiving their diploma.

Now, I've attended graduations where the actual graduates have acted a stone fool. At that point, yes those graduates should be punished. A lot of students feel they can act up at graduation because it's nothing the school can do at that point.

In recollection, when I finished HS (10+ years ago) you didn't receive your diploma that day, you received the cover that the diploma came in, then you'd receive your diploma in the mail in a week to 10 days. So if you had outstanding fees or whatever...your diploma would be held until you took care of that.

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally Posted by ageniuschild

In recollection, when I finished HS (10+ years ago) you didn't receive your diploma that day, you received the cover that the diploma came in, then you'd receive your diploma in the mail in a week to 10 days. So if you had outstanding fees or whatever...your diploma would be held until you took care of that.

This policy doesn't fly for me. I haven't left a graduation yet without my diploma/degree. I REFUSE. I want what's mine the before I leave the premise that day/night. I am not giving the university any extra time to trump up some charges on me. It's been done.

Anyway, I know how out of control HS graduations can be. I can't take them. Some families just go above and beyond what is necessary. However, I can see the flip side as well. Some of these kids may be the first in the family to get a HS diploma. Others, like one of my HS classmates, make it by the skin of their a**es, thus damn near REQUIRING people to cheer. Hell, WE (other graduates) even cut up when one of our classmates' name was called! We had to push, pull, and drag this dude through school! But, most times than not, folks are acting up because they just don't have any decorum.


I attended the law school's graduation a few weeks ago and a few families were a little bit too rowdy for my liking. However, after all the SERIOUS blood, sweat, and tears that it takes to get through law school and the huge achievement that it is, I see why families get excited. While I don't expect MY family & friends to act out too badly, I do want them to represent. This has been a hell of a journey!

[ageniuschild]

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

This policy doesn't fly for me. I haven't left a graduation yet without my diploma/degree. I REFUSE. I want what's mine the before I leave the premise that day/night. I am not giving the university any extra time to trump up some charges on me. It's been done.

Anyway, I know how out of control HS graduations can be. I can't take them. Some families just go above and beyond what is necessary. However, I can see the flip side as well. Some of these kids may be the first in the family to get a HS diploma. Others, like one of my HS classmates, make it by the skin of their a**es, thus damn near REQUIRING people to cheer. Hell, WE (other graduates) even cut up when one of our classmates' name was called! We had to push, pull, and drag this dude through school! But, most times than not, folks are acting up because they just don't have any decorum.


I attended the law school's graduation a few weeks ago and a few families were a little bit too rowdy for my liking. However, after all the SERIOUS blood, sweat, and tears that it takes to get through law school and the huge achievement that it is, I see why families get excited. While I don't expect MY family & friends to act out too badly, I do want them to represent. This has been a hell of a journey!

I wasn't too fazed by not receiving the actual diploma/degree that day. Because I made sure all matters were handled before I walked across the stage.

I think almost every class had that one that graduated "thank-you laude", or are the first in the family to graduate...it's a proud occasion. However if they have excess of 300 graduates and only a small window of time to go through the activities, I don't see anything wrong with having the friends and family wait until all names are called before they cheer. they did that with all of my graduations to move it along...because i know the graduates don't want to sit there for 6 hours, neither do the guests.

Exactly, there is nothing wrong with the family representing and being proud of your acheivement, but if the school has protocol in place for graduation exercises to ensure that every graduate has their moment to shine, i think the family and friends should respect that.

[AlphaFrog]

I'm mixed on this. Mainly because no matter how hard you try, you cannot control your family. I think it's wrong to punish the students - but I would have been totally for the families being unceremoniously(is that a word?) shown the door.

Also, I don't really mind not getting my diploma the day I walk across the stage. When you have hundreds, if not, thousands of graduates, and 2 days to process the paperwork, I can see how it would be just short of impossible to verify everyone's status before graduation.

[OOhsoflyDELTA#9]

the cheers for my younger brother at his HS graduation a couple of years ago were long and loud BUT he was a popular (I guess) and most came from people in his class...if my mom's baby didn't get his diploma that day ya'll woulda seen that chit on CNN....I say this to say that the kids can't control the spectators...just throw the loud ones out and K.I.M...let the students have their day....

[UrbanizdSkillz]

I guess I'm a dissenter in this. I think because I always look at it as, everyone isn't accustomed to going to graduation ceremonies for the simple fact that the occassion may have never presented itself in their families. For someone whose family doesn't have a graduate it is a major deal not only because they have graduated, but because it symbolizes the breaking of a generational curse. So why wouldn't they want to cheer, hoop, or holler? Personally, to hell with the status quo of decorum. After all the hell that some people have gone through just to get a diploma or degree, you're darned skippy their families will be there to support them to the fullest.

HOWEVER, I understand that all of this can be done with temperment. You have to know how much is too much. Like if you have rehearsed cheers and songs and start a wave in the stands when your relative's name is called, maybe you're doing too much. However, cheering and thunderous applause in my opinion is okay.

[TotallyWicked]

I have not attended a graduation since my brother's h.s. graduation which was fairly decent except for when they called the very popular guy's name who was also a member of a family whose every kid graduated from there (and yes ALL HIS FAMILY WAS THERE), we joked that they prob rented a charter bus to get his family to attend

My h.s. graduation was horrible in regards to families acting a fool, YES there were alot of air horns...what is worse is when my friend went up to walk, security took away the air horn from the family who kept using it, horrible timing cause right after they mentioned her name the IGNANT folks started booing to no end so it seemed as if she was getting booed

There was also this one girl...who nobody could stand cause she was just so LOUD and IGNANT, her fam was worse...you couldn't hear the three names after her Not to mention the graduating gangsters who threw up their signs AS THEY WALKED!!

I agree they should have a policy similar to this one, I think it creates some order, though I know the student cannot control how their folks react, so maybe they should eject the family after their kids name is called? I know when i graduate I want my family to represent though they know how to act! Well most do...I'll keep that crazy aunt away from the ceremony to make the fam look good

[AKA2D '91]

Originally Posted by UrbanizdSkillz

I guess I'm a dissenter in this. I think because I always look at it as, everyone isn't accustomed to going to graduation ceremonies for the simple fact that the occassion may have never presented itself in their families. For someone whose family doesn't have a graduate it is a major deal not only because they have graduated, but because it symbolizes the breaking of a generational curse. So why wouldn't they want to cheer, hoop, or holler? After all the hell that some people have gone through just to get a diploma or degree, you're darned skippy their families will be there to support them to the fullest.

SO TRUE!

However, decorum goes a long way. That's why many are not familiar with how to "act" in the most simple instances (children and adults). Someone has to teach those who are not aware.

HOWEVER, I understand that all of this can be done with temperment.

That's all! There is a time and place for everything. Save some of the behaviors displayed for the parties, crawfish boils and barbeques to follow. There isn't anything wrong with a woo hoo, but when folks are stomping in the rafters, ringing the cow bell, etc, it gets to be a bit MUCH.

Now, is this a battle HS and universities want to fight? I don't know.

[ladygreek]

While the students can't control the families, I bet next year the families will control themselves. And first time HS graduate or not, save the over rowdiness for the family bbq. Plus they signed contracts and were warned of the consequences. So if this is your first graduate, why risk it?

Eight hours of service to the district isn't going to hurt anyone. But the "they can keep it" attitude and the families not owning up to their responsibility in all of this is what gets me. And in the time it will take for that mother try to fight in court the child could have received her diploma by working one day at the district.

And guess what, everything is not about racism.

[Marie]

Originally Posted by CrimsonTide4

I think it is a bit harsh to make the students receive the punishment such as this. I say escort the offenders out and keep it moving.

Agreed...the child and their parents might act right, but that doesn't prevent other family members from acting a fool. Not to mention other students. I know we cheered for other students both in high school and college graduation.

As for the high school diploma itself...i'm sure that it matters a lot to them...however, as someone who couldn't locate my actual high school diploma if my life depended on it...I would tell them to keep it (just so long as you are technically listed as a graduate on transcripts) and keep on moving.