It’s that time of year 🎓
But the Class of 2020 is exceptional. Forever changed. For thousands of graduates- kindergarten, elementary, high school, college and university- their graduation is something to go down in the history books. Their children and grandchildren will be learning in history class about how the pandemic affected them as graduates.
Even if your own child is not graduating, you likely know of
someone who is. In the past few weeks, we have heard and seen of graduations
being celebrated in very interesting and creative ways. Traditional ceremonies
have been swapped for a different and unique type of acknowledgment.
I recently saw a story on an American news network of a
school in the US that took out a huge digital billboard in the downtown center
for a week to give glory and accolades to each of their graduates. Each day
highlighted individual graduates with their grad photo, their achievements, and
the college or university they will attend in the fall.
I saw a story on Montreal’s CTV News last week that actually
sparked this blog post. The story was about a Montreal-area high school student,
Brian, who was surprised by his teachers when they showed up at his house, all
two meters apart, with numerous signs and posters in his front yard, to ask him
if he would like to be the Class of 2020 valedictorian. He was really overwhelmed; it was a beautiful and uplifting moment. A very touching gesture.
Our local schools have also been extremely innovative in marking this grand life event, and making graduations unique. We have seen graduates in their caps and gowns at sidewalk graduations, drive-by graduations, graduation parades, backyard graduations, drive-in movie grads, grad photo shoots from a distance, virtual graduations and even personal home visits from school administrators equipped with lawn signs and diplomas. We must applaud all their outstanding efforts!
For high school graduates, however, there is no prom night
this spring. Prom has always been a much-anticipated end of year rite of
passage. Most proms in 2020 have either been cancelled or postponed.
My twin children graduated high school last year, so I know very
well about the hype of prom from both the female and male perspectives-from
prom dress shopping, to promosals, ordering corsages and the like.
As soon as prom ends, the grade 11’s, who experience so many
trials and tribulations in their five years together, disband. Summer begins,
and even though the inner friendship circles keep in close contact, the spirit
of the grade as a whole entity, quickly dissipates. So for the Class of 2020, not
only did they lose out on the last part of the year, making memories together, but
that special prom night is gone, even if there is some semblance of a
graduation.
Although some restrictions have now been lifted to allow for
informal small gatherings, prom is not an event that can take place right now.
There will not be cozy prom night photos or group limo rides with champagne popped en route to the prom dance.
So please, let us not discount this aspect of the graduation rituals.
We have to be sensitive to the fact that these high school graduates must be
celebrated in some very special way, and in as many ways as they need to feel
valued. Imagine that their whole school career these grads looked forward to
the last days of high school with their friends, some of whom they have been
with since pre-school. We must acknowledge that grads have had it tough, as
they really did not have these last memories.
Despite some of the disappointments for the Class of 2020,
there have also been unexpected joyful moments. We should honour and give
praise to these graduates. So as tired as you may feel of seeing on the news
stories of unique graduations, let us continue to celebrate the Class of 2020
in a big way.
I certainly hope if you know someone graduating that you
make a point of recognizing them in some way, even if it is a simple “congrats” or a poster or card,
as they deserve to go into their next academic journey with pride and joy.
Question of the day- How are you celebrating your graduate,
to make them feel extra special?
Stay Safe,
Davina
Please "Like" my Facebook Page, Just Ask Davina
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