Posted on: Tuesday, May 26, 2009
How to avoid graduation gaffes
BY Pam Harbaugh
Gannett News Service
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Graduates — as well as family and friends — should exhibit appropriate and tasteful behavior on the big day.
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As thousands of high school seniors prepare to participate in the time-honored tradition of graduation ceremonies, school officials offer some tips to make the occasion memorable and gaffe-free.
A student's high school graduation is a milestone that should be celebrated with decorum, said Luis Martin, a Spanish teacher and senior class coordinator at Florida's West Shore Jr./Sr. High School.
Martin's principal, Rick Fleming, basically summed up graduate guidelines like this: "Do not embarrass yourself or your family."
"It's such a formal and special ceremony," Martin said.
Martin suggests the following dos and don'ts:
FOR THE GRADUATE
If someone sends a congratulatory card, whether or not a check is included, write a thank-you note.
Dress appropriately. "This is special, so dress nice, no flip-flops," Martin said.
Decorate your cap to give a personal touch.
Leave purses and cell phones at home.
Exhibit appropriate, tasteful behavior. "We're all celebrating such a milestone, you don't want an embarrassing moment," Martin said.
FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
If your higher sense doesn't keep those obnoxiously loud blow horns at home, at least let the people around you know you're about to split their eardrums. "Maybe the person next to you is not happy about you blowing the horn," Martin said. "It's a disturbing thing. It will take attention away from the main thing, the graduation."
Know the difference between a graduation announcement and a graduation invitation. An invitation requires a response: Yes, you'll be at the ceremony, or no, you'll have to miss it.
But you should also respond to an announcement. "An acknowledgement is very important," Martin said. A congratulations card is appropriate, "whether there's a check or not," Martin said.
Do not block the view of people behind you. "Be aware of the people around you," Martin said.
Stop screaming after your graduate's name is called so the audience can hear the name of the next graduate. "Or hold it as much as you possibly can," Martin said. "So everybody participates. You can always scream outside, and ... (hold up) banners and all that stuff."
Be respectful during reverent times of the ceremony, such as the national anthem, appearance of color guard, music, benedictions, valedictorian speeches and moments of silence.
