Last High School Graduation

Okay, so my baby graduated from High School yesterday and I am officially old. And after driving nearly an hour (in awful traffic) to get Natalie to the UVU Special Events Center an hour early, sitting through almost three hours of Graduation, and driving back home in that same traffic - I am also officially tired.

I don't know why High School Graduations must include so many speeches by people that we wouldn't normally listen to, but they do. At the Bingham High Graduation, the Senior Class President did a very nice job welcoming all, introducing some of highlights of their experience, and keeping things moving. And the Valedictorian did a decent job too.

The Jordan District Superintendent obviously knew what he was doing too, as his remarks were very short, relevant and well received. Why Principals and School Board members think any of us want to hear their rambling about - well, whatever, is beyond me. If ever I have to speak at one of these affairs, I will be short, pithy, and funny and then sit down.

And the music - why? I recall, out there in Victorville, California at my fairly small graduation on the football field that we had the school Jazz Band playing. Today it seems we must have several numbers by elements of the choir, and the band or orchestra must also play not only a prelude but also at least one number. At the Bingham Graduation, this was a lengthy, fairly obscure and unusual symphonic piece that will not engender appreciation from those who are not classicists, and was not all that well played to boot.

Is it possible that all the vocal and instrumental arts groups do not have enough opportunities for performance? Hardly. And when it takes a full hour to get all the grads their diploma covers - why would we ever add more?

It was worth it all for my Natalie. And my Natalie has a sensibly outgoing personality. She spotted us in the audience (a major accomplishment) and ensured that she turned toward us often so we could take pictures of her throughout the event. We were reminded of the other High School Graduations we have attended, Lyssha at Olympus, Lee at Alta, and Nicole at West Jordan. It was a bit nostalgic.

But I can't imagine why I would want to attend another one of these as long as I live. I think this is why we keep photos but do not ask for DVDs of the entire affair. We can relive the high points of the experience with pictures, and skip the rest. (For the record, not a single flash went off while the principal, superintendent or school board member were speaking. It seems no one wanted to remember that part of the program. )

Thankfully, there are many years before I will have to think about attending these for grandchildren.