Hello dear friends and welcome to a flashback story of my daughter's 1989 high school graduation.Graduations are all about tradition, family, friendships and journeys yet to come.
(click on this link for music as you read)
Event Needham Broughton High School Graduation
Class of 1989, ~700 graduates
Venue: Football field, this was the first outdoor graduation in the school's history.
Order of ceremony Alphabetical: Our name starts with
U
I don't know exactly who came up with the idea of an outside graduation in
May, at 5 pm in North Carolina, but alas it was set and invitations printed.
I expect the main thinking was enough sitting for the families of each graduate.
Back then there was no limit put on how many guests each graduate could invite.
700 chairs were neatly arranged on the football field.
The stage was located at the 50 yard line.
Guest, parents, siblings, grandparents of all ages were assigned seats on the bleachers.
Up the metal stairs we climbed. Where we sat didn't really matter. The graduates were so far away they all looked like purple specks. Broughton colors were purple and gold.
Finally the graduates marched onto the field...What proud moment, beautiful Pomp and Circumstance being played by the Band.
A few announcements were made, main one being hold your applause until each row had received their diploma. The graduates were to proceed up to the stage by rows.
As each row, walked across the stage the next row and so on and so on.
By the time the 2nd row of graduates had received their diplomas, it became obvious there was a big problem. Guests began to act like they were at a football game, cheering, whistling and screaming.
The families of those who had received their diplomas, started to leave the bleachers. Down the metal steps clank, clank, clank. Those remaining, could not hear the names of their graduates. Evidently the powers that be on the stage, had no clue about the commotion being made in the bleachers. Folks continued to leave throughout the ceremony.
Finally, the last few rows of graduates, at the end of the alphabet, were in line
waiting to go up on the stage, when the unthinkable happened.
A huge 747 airplane flew over the stadium with such a rumble no one heard anything.
And it started to rain.
Needless to say this was not the graduation any one expected.
Just a few days after graduation, each graduate's family received a rather lengthy letter of apology from the Principal. This outdoors graduation was a huge failure. Never again to be repeated.
About all we can say about that night, was it was one never to be forgotten.
U
I don't know exactly who came up with the idea of an outside graduation in
May, at 5 pm in North Carolina, but alas it was set and invitations printed.
I expect the main thinking was enough sitting for the families of each graduate.
Back then there was no limit put on how many guests each graduate could invite.
700 chairs were neatly arranged on the football field.
The stage was located at the 50 yard line.
Guest, parents, siblings, grandparents of all ages were assigned seats on the bleachers.
Up the metal stairs we climbed. Where we sat didn't really matter. The graduates were so far away they all looked like purple specks. Broughton colors were purple and gold.
Finally the graduates marched onto the field...What proud moment, beautiful Pomp and Circumstance being played by the Band.
A few announcements were made, main one being hold your applause until each row had received their diploma. The graduates were to proceed up to the stage by rows.
As each row, walked across the stage the next row and so on and so on.
By the time the 2nd row of graduates had received their diplomas, it became obvious there was a big problem. Guests began to act like they were at a football game, cheering, whistling and screaming.
The families of those who had received their diplomas, started to leave the bleachers. Down the metal steps clank, clank, clank. Those remaining, could not hear the names of their graduates. Evidently the powers that be on the stage, had no clue about the commotion being made in the bleachers. Folks continued to leave throughout the ceremony.
Finally, the last few rows of graduates, at the end of the alphabet, were in line
waiting to go up on the stage, when the unthinkable happened.
A huge 747 airplane flew over the stadium with such a rumble no one heard anything.
And it started to rain.
Needless to say this was not the graduation any one expected.
Just a few days after graduation, each graduate's family received a rather lengthy letter of apology from the Principal. This outdoors graduation was a huge failure. Never again to be repeated.
About all we can say about that night, was it was one never to be forgotten.
***************************************
July has been extra hot this year...22 days straight of mid to high 90's with triple digit heat
index. We have not been on any trails since I took these on Shelley Lake Trail about 2 weeks ago
Masks are required now anytime you are in public. I just don't think walking
in this heat in a mask is healthy. Thankfully we have a recumbent bike to keep
moving. As I once heard a P. T. say, motion is lotion.
Interesting story about the Graduation! What a fiasco. Graduation ceremonies from high school are not such a big thing in the UK - certainly, we didn't have them at all in 'my day'.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if you would have to wear a mask if riding a bicycle outside? I would so hate that!
Cheers, Gail.
Loved your graduation story even though the weather didn't turn out perfectly as it should have. I had to turn off Pomp and Circumstance. It was making me cry. High School graduation changes a teenagers life on that day forever - well, for me it did. And I can remember my daughter's graduation so clearly, which was held inside. Mine was on a baseball field. Thank you the memories♥
ReplyDeletePretty flowers. Mom loves the button ones. Here masks are now required in public places but Mom will not wear one outside walking or running as it is ridiculous. In a store she will follow the rule but won't go to parks where outdoor masks are needed.
ReplyDeleteWhat awful planning on the powers that be. Now I understand why they announce to hold all applause and to remain seated until the end.
ReplyDeleteLove the flowers.
Don't blame you for not walking with a mask. If I had to do my outdoor chores here with one, they would be giving me citations.
700 graduates!? I don't think going anywhere outside in a mask in this heat and humidity is healthy but it's a must. We had to run around most of the day yesterday and my mask smelled like Tide! Ick.
ReplyDeleteWow, that graduation sounds like a mess. We don't have a mask mandate here other than certain stores.
ReplyDeleteThe Florida Furkids
I've never understood why any school would hold their graduation outside when weather can be so unpredictable. Of course yours was made worse by the action of the families of the kids in the beginning of the alphabet. At least it certainly was unforgettable. You found some lovely flowers to share with us.
ReplyDeleteThe graduation certainly didn't work as planned.
ReplyDeleteWe have to wear masks in enclosed spaces but not outdoors.
The flowers are pretty.
We enjoyed your graduation story too, it's been a strange year all around.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeletea bit of me is LOLing... but really, not that funny at the time I suspect! One for the annals, as they say!!! YAM xx
No way could any of your family ever forget that graduation. I have always found it easier to remember the bad things that happened then the good things. Our county has just now mandated mask but not if you're able to keep 6 feet part. We must wear them if indoors and public spaces and outside it depends on how crowded so I liked that part there's no need to wear a mask if you're walking and there's no nobody around you it seems the world has lost its common sense
ReplyDeleteI went to my granddaughters graduation and it was outside. It was pretty bad too. There was a family that talked though the entire ceremony. Loudly. Bless their classless selves.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend, honey. Big hug. ♥
Now that was a graduation you'll always remember!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know, and agree with you about the heat -- and masks in this heat.
We still have a lot of freedom with wearing it, it's recommended but mandatory, but almost all stores require one. But at least outdoors, in the high humid heat it isn't. We are watching Hurricane Isaias, and hope it will not impact you. Very worried here.
WOW...We had our graduation in 1980 outside in June, but it was NJ...and not too bad. Plus there were only 100 of us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers you saved up. We sure hope fall comes early to the Carolinas!
this graduation story is THE BEST !!!!!!! no joke, trooth as da tabbies say....THE BEST !!! ☺☺♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a very long ceremony. Mom's graduating class had 670 students. At least it was held inside a big colosseum, but it wasn't air-conditioned. Mom remembers that day very vividly because she had to give the salutatorian speech.
ReplyDeleteThe peeps are supposed to wear masks outside here IF they can't be following the guidelines of six feet away. Most people that are out walking don't wear them but have them in their pockets just in case.
Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
700 graduates is a big class. There were 119 in my high school class and less than 500 in my college graduation class. XO
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that a few people can ruin a graduation ceremony for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI've already Fithian my high school graduation. Perhaps I should be glad it wasn't memorable!
ReplyDelete