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The Graduation Ceremony |
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Many schools have found it beneficial to appoint a "Graduation Committee" to plan and organize the ceremony. Committees usually consist of faculty, sponsors, officers and seniors. The benefits of a committee are two-fold. The many responsibilities of the program are distributed among several people and the committee increases faculty and student involvement. Most "Graduation Committees" are responsible for everything from selecting a speaker to the distribution of admission tickets.
The Program
The traditional graduation program usually is sixty to seventy-five minutes in length. The program format may include:
Graduation programs may also include a Salutatory address, the singing of the Nation Anthem and Alma Matter, presentation of the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Award, or a special presentation of a gift to the school from the Senior Class.
Selection Of A Commencement Speaker
It is important that the speech be brief and directed to the spirit of the event. In an effort to achieve a greater student involvement, many schools have student speakers. Student speakers may be selected by the Graduation Committee through auditions or may be selected from the top honor students.
The Processional
The order of the Graduation Processional is usually determined by school tradition. The faculty, Valedictorian and Salutatorian may lead the Processional. The remaining order is determined by alphabet or by height. Many schools also include class officers and top honor students at the head of the Processional.
Presentation Of Diplomas
Most schools continue the tradition of announcing and presenting the diploma to each individual student. Usually a member of the Board of Education presents the diploma to the graduate as their name is announced and they cross the platform. Many seniors have elected to add a special touch to the ceremony by presenting a Class Flower or Appreciation Flower to their parents at the time they are presented their diploma.
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