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.
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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.
