Another Graduation Question

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

In some ways, it's not that different. For students who are the first in their family to graduate or otherwise less privileged than most on these boards, making it to graduation is a REALLY BIG DEAL. If families want to go nuts, let 'em go nuts.

Except a lot of times with the air horns and the catcalls etc., you KNOW the family and you KNOW that it isn't the case that there was some hardship that was overcome. It's just rednecks acting out. (At least here in TN - my guess is that carnation has run into similar types in GA.)

ETA: There were people doing this type of carrying on at my daughter's dance recital this past weekend. Trust me when I tell you that no real hardships are overcome by any of these little princesses taking dance class. It's annoying to the audience and distracting to the dancers.

[carnation]

Oh yeah. At my daughter's graduation last month, this family that is well known all over town (no comment on that) came into the building loaded down with air horns and other noisemakers. There were several cops at the ceremony and one spent the whole ceremony standing by them in the aisle. They made nary a peep.

I mean, they were *loaded*.

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

It's so funny you bring this up..

Even though this story is from a year ago, I just ran into it online the other day. A woman was arrested for cheering too loud/crazily at her kid's graduation ceremony.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...the-cuffs?lite

That's all I got.

LOL This happened at my cousin's graduation last week. They gave the obligatory announcement but they were not kidding. A few families (including mine) gave a "Whoo!" hurriedly, but this lady went nuts when her daughter crossed the stage. Then she grabbed her 2 toddlers and took off running with security chasing after her. Yes, I laughed.

Honestly, I don't like sitting in a hot, stuffy auditorium while a million people graduate. I get that the ceremony is long and boring and you want to "maintain the dignity of the ceremony." But if Big Mama's dignity is crossing the stage today, let her holler. Aside from the people who act up just to do so, I do understand that, after how long and hard the students (and often their families) worked to get to that moment, it's too special to be rushed.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by amIblue?

Except a lot of times with the air horns and the catcalls etc., you KNOW the family and you KNOW that it isn't the case that there was some hardship that was overcome. It's just rednecks acting out.

hmm...

[carnation]

This is what 2 of my kids copied down on their program that one loudmouthed family screamed. I had wondered what they were laughing about...

"YO!!! BEE-BO! WOOBA WOOBA WOOBA! YOOP! GRANDMA LOVES YOU! WOOP WOOP!"

My husband, a faculty member, pointed out years ago that this never happens until the non-honor grads start walking. Say what you will but he's right.

[amIblue?]

Originally Posted by carnation

This is what 2 of my kids copied down on their program that one loudmouthed family screamed. I had wondered what they were laughing about...

"YO!!! BEE-BO! WOOBA WOOBA WOOBA! YOOP! GRANDMA LOVES YOU! WOOP WOOP!"

My husband, a faculty member, pointed out years ago that this never happens until the non-honor grads start walking. Say what you will but he's right.

To the point though, generally speaking, it's not particularly a struggle for the honor grads to graduate. Yes, they work very hard, but not so much on the struggle.

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by carnation

Does anyone else think that the number of graduation spectators who act the fool during the ceremony has mushroomed in the last 10-12 years?

Yes.

Originally Posted by aephi alum

...

Back in my day, it was the graduates who acted the fools. At my HS graduation, someone got hold of a gigantic beach ball with a print of the Earth on it. A bunch of kids in the bleachers started tossing it around mid-ceremony...

Originally Posted by AZ-AlphaXi

When my son graduated from High School in 2005 there were numerous parents ( I guess ) with air horns who would blow them at random intervals.

As far as I'm concerned, college graduation is a PARTY. I WILL have, Hawaiian leis & beach balls for my fellow graduates, and air horns but to be used at the end of the ceremony.

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

In some ways, it's not that different. For students who are the first in their family to graduate or otherwise less privileged than most on these boards, making it to graduation is a REALLY BIG DEAL. If families want to go nuts, let 'em go nuts.

I agree and this being ME I feel like this:
Since I've struggled all of this time to finish, I have friends and family members who are by my side but aren't able to help me financially and cheering for me is their way of showing me their love and support for all of the CRAP I've had to deal with and am still dealing with, then I say BRING IT ON but wait till it's my turn and then when the announcer says the next name, shut it up! My friends will cheer but not start a riot. We can riot at the after party!

Originally Posted by StealthMode

LOL This happened at my cousin's graduation last week. They gave the obligatory announcement but they were not kidding. A few families (including mine) gave a "Whoo!" hurriedly, but this lady went nuts when her daughter crossed the stage. Then she grabbed her 2 toddlers and took off running with security chasing after her. Yes, I laughed.

Honestly, I don't like sitting in a hot, stuff auditorium while a million people graduate. I get that the ceremony is long and boring and you want to "maintain the dignity of the ceremony." But if Big Mama's dignity is crossing the stage today, let her holler. Aside from the people who act up just to do so, I do understand that, after how long and hard the students (and often their families) worked to get to that moment, it's too special to be rushed.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by carnation

My husband, a faculty member, pointed out years ago that this never happens until the non-honor grads start walking. Say what you will but he's right.

Well, this may be their only graduation, so they're making the most of it.

[StealthMode]

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

You have NO idea. She ain't grab no shoes or nuttin', Jesus! She RAN for her life!

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by StealthMode

You have NO idea. She ain't grab no shoes or nuttin', Jesus! She RAN for her life!

[pshsx1]

Originally Posted by StealthMode

]Honestly, I don't like sitting in a hot, stuff auditorium while a million people graduate. I get that the ceremony is long and boring and you want to "maintain the dignity of the ceremony." But if Big Mama's dignity is crossing the stage today, let her holler. Aside from the people who act up just to do so, I do understand that, after how long and hard the students (and often their families) worked to get to that moment, it's too special to be rushed.

THIS.

Also, I don't really get how names can be missed. Generally, graduations are in venues equipped with sound systems to be heard over a roaring crowd of people. Honestly, most people are only listening for their graduate's name anyway. Again, I graduated high school with 1300 other people and my family managed to find where I was seated and when I walked, despite the fact that I graduated in a pro-basketball arena and despite whatever other noise was going on.

But people who bring airhorns and jugs full of quarters and vuvuzelas and everything else are just being excessive. I totally agree there.

Originally Posted by StealthMode

You have NO idea. She ain't grab no shoes or nuttin', Jesus! She RAN for her life!

Originally Posted by NinjaPoodle

aaaaaaand I died. rofl.