How dare we celebrate?

When I graduated from high school in 1981, the audience was cautioned about cheers as we walked across the stage. A graduation ceremony should be dignified...serious...and we should all be mindful of respecting graduates' rights to have their names heard as they are announced. Then, we should solemnly be pleased about each person's major accomplishment. Right? Well, I think I was the first one whose name was called. I'm sure my cheering section ruined the whole ceremony. I specifically remember my CCD teacher & friend Cindy's father, Mr. Fuhr, whistling from the balcony (in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum) and yelling my name. I still got my diploma. The same requests (to no avail) were made of us all when Hannah (2004) and Curtis (2006) graduated some 23 and 25 years later...it was madness, I tell you, but the school administrators & staff seemed to be enjoying it as much as the rest of us. Some things don't change and probably never will. I guess some folks can hope, however.

When the penalty is that the graduates don't receive their diplomas, however, I think we've gone a little too far in trying to enforce dignity. Give it a rest, already! Who cares if each graduate's cheering section raises a little ruckus? I didn't back then and I don't now. What kind message are we sending our young people? I say when the occasion arises, let's celebrate in an undignified manner. Life's celebrations seem to come too few and far between.