Act, dress respectably at graduation

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Thursday, May 27. 2010

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Note: Lamar County High School has moved its graduation ceremony to 9 a.m. Saturday morning from Friday nights in an attempt to dodge bad weather and cut out raucous behavior by graduation guests. This piece appeared in the Macon Telegraph commenting on a photo of a police officer removing a young man wearing shorts and flip-flops from a ceremony there.

By Kathleen McLane

The young man pictured on your front page being escorted out of a graduation ceremony by an officer was doing his job. Hooray for the officer. Boo to the whining young man. Boo to the mother of his friend who defended him for being dressed like he was going to the nearest rave event.

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#1 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 06:18 AM

The clothes do not matter as much as having loved ones there.

#2 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 06:37 AM

Everything this day & time has become extremely casual. Used to be that it was just appropriate to wear a suit and tie to church. But, now you see folks dressed casually on Sunday, as well. It's a sign of the times.

As far as graduation goes, shorts & polo shirts would be o.k. Slacks & polos would be fine, too. Jeans & polos, too. But, flip-flops -- that's not kosher. Disclaimer: The shirts would have to be tucked-in, and belts worn with slacks, or shorts. Socks would be required with the slacks. And, loafers or tennis shoes with the shorts. All clothing would have to be in good repair.

The point is, as long as the attendees are neatly dressed, then I don't see the disrespect for the ceremony, as it is often held outside or in a gymnasium.

The sticking point is the raucous behavior -- the yelling, hollering, & acting like a fool at an event that is supposed to be honoring the grads. Clapping in unison would be fine, but spare me the catcalls.

Bottom line, celebrate but don't turn the event into a circus.

#2.1 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 08:08 AM

I agree with #2. Women wear flip flop sandals with skirts and I do not see a problem with that. Shorts and polo shirts look descent especially since the ceremony will take place outside.
Graduation attire should be casual and comfortable. Having loved ones there to support our seniors should be more important.

#2.1.1 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 04:35 PM

I think that the administration would be flexible, if the dress code requirement of being neat could be enforced consistently. But, it has to be simplified to be enforced consistently. The problem is that without banning the shorts, flip-flops, tee-shirts, etc., etc. there are too many -- for lack of a better description -- cases of splitting hairs in making decisions on what is acceptable, and what is not...

So, by just requiring that one set of attire -- slacks, shoes, dress shirts, dresses of proper length, & blouses that are not too revealing... -- then, it's much easier to enforce without having to deal with a lot of different variations.

Bottom line... Keep it neat & presentable... Still think that the behavior issue is a bigger problem than the dress code issue, although the dress code should be somewhat uniform across the board.

#2.2 Anonymous on 06/01/10 at 04:13 PM

why don't we all just go naked and then we don't have to worry about what to wear.

#3 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 08:20 AM

Lif is a CIRCUS nowadays. No one cares how they look or what people might think. It's a sign of the times but if it is then you can only imagine what it will be like in a few years. This is a ceremony conducted to honor the students and it would be appropriate to dress for the occasion instead of like you are a dumba-- with no manners or respect.

#4 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 09:08 AM

Unfortunately there will be a group of people that wont follow the creed of being courteous and quiet during the ceremony. Anyone that went to the awards presentation will know that.

#5 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 09:54 AM

I believe it’s all about control. At this point in the school year the faculty doesn’t have the leverage to have power over their student body. Students will act out knowing they will suffer no repercussions. Others act out in an effort to steal the attention which they don’t deserve. This event should be celebrated as a right of passage for those who have put forth the effort that allows them the right to walk up on that stage. It’s the kind of effort that should, if successful, in steal a degree of integrity that possesses the reverence for such an event. Those who are crass are also those who have failed in their attempt for such veracity. Our behavior will tell it all.

#6 cats on 05/27/10 at 11:16 AM

My son's graduation was somewhat marred by the screaming of the family behind us. My children's grandparents live in other states and it was somewhat embarrassing to be surrounded by screaming yokels.
But that's in the past and I'm very happy that I won't have to deal with this again until my grandchildren graduate. By then I'm sure I'll be half deaf- those rock concerts when I was younger are taking their toll.
Congratulations to the Class of 2010.

#7 Annonymous on 05/27/10 at 11:47 AM

If proper attire is required, why is it ok for females to wear short dresses that show most of their backside and cut in the front so low that it shows most of their brest---No one says anything about that, so why single out someone with clean clothes who acts in an appropriate manner?

#7.1 Class on 05/27/10 at 08:36 PM

Some people just don't have class anymore.

#8 superstar on 05/27/10 at 11:53 AM

why cant folks jest be glad we gratuated and quite worring bout wot we wearing and when our boyz gives us shout outs before we ride out to the crib adn prolly cant find no job so quite crying bout your little selfs

#8.1 LC Education at it's best! on 05/27/10 at 12:31 PM

My goodness. A fine education is at work! Please don't talk like this at a Job interview!

#8.1.1 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 06:43 PM

dont take everything so seriously.

#8.1.2 Georgia peach on 05/30/10 at 02:57 PM

I totally agree with you. That is not the correct way to talk. I makes me feel sad that I work for the system if our graduates are leaving here talking like that.

#8.2 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 01:15 PM

This this for real?

#9 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 12:21 PM

Go figure, look at who is doing the hollering, it is in their gene poole.

#9.1 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 02:28 PM

It's in their genes and exactly who is the "their". Screaming and yelling DOES NOT have a race attached to it. It's not about "color" or anything along that matter. It is an exciting time for everybody and when someone is excited about their accomplishments or about their children accomplishment they are going to show it no matter if they are white or black.
This is suppose to be a joyous and special occasion for all and if someone wants to "yell" or cheer for their child let them. This is an event that's rare and only happen once a year in most people lives.

#9.1.1 Anonymous on 05/27/10 at 03:42 PM

Acting like a fool with their PANTS on the ground....

#9.1.1.1 Blackmagic on 05/27/10 at 09:19 PM

Lol...Now that was funny! Im black an i straight cracked up on this one..

#9.1.2 anon on 05/27/10 at 05:17 PM

"and only happen once a year in most people lives."

Graduating once a year?????????

#9.1.2.1 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 08:40 AM

Yes graduating "once in their high school years."

#9.1.3 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 04:35 PM

Hey it didn't take you long to know which race we be talkin bout, did you ?

#9.1.3.1 Anonymous on 05/29/10 at 06:47 PM

Which race "we be talking about" Did you mean which race you all were talking about? However no it did not when you have people saying it's in "their genes"..it don't take the smartest person to know that. However it is sad to see that we are still stuck on race issues..it's 2010 people time for a change.

#9.2 Georgia peach on 05/30/10 at 03:16 PM

I dislike the saying "It's in their genes."
The hollering came from all races and I have the video to show who were doing it because I recorded it. This is an exciting time for the families that have graduates on the field and I had one graduating also and 10 more family members and friends. The noise is on my video but I am not complaining. It were their day not ours. When you are old, you want quiet. You should have stayed at home, we were not in church where quietness is acceptable. Maybe that is why the spirit will not come there either. No Praise.

#10 Dr. Bieal Trumper on 05/27/10 at 12:33 PM

I'm the BOSS! What I say goes. Quit your belly aching

#11 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 03:16 AM

"Young man" has firm grounds for a lawsuit there.

Curious, what ;aw was he breaking that warranted a police officer to excert his authority over him, at a public event?

#11.1 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 07:28 AM

The school wanted a subject off their property. That is just what it is. The cop was working under the authority of the school, therefore there's no chance of any type of lawsuit. Don't get why everyone tries jumping on the police when they are doing exactly what is required of them to do. Follow the rules and you wont have any problems.

#11.2 Tine on 05/30/10 at 02:49 PM

Or what coach asked that the person be removed. I would also like to know what law were broken. If he were not drunk or acting up then what?

#12 Rev. James Brown Jr on 05/28/10 at 04:46 AM

It is way past time to return decency, civility, and respect to our society. If people cannot dress and behave in a respectable manner it shouldn't be tolerated. If they want to act like morons they can do it where the general public is not forced to tolerate inappropriate behavior. Remember you are guests at events such as these. The general mentality of this kind of attitude is summed up by the note:

"...Lamar County High School has moved its graduation ceremony to 9 a.m. Saturday morning...to...cut out raucous behavior by graduation guests."

#12.1 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 07:38 AM

I don't see how Sat. morning would be less susceptible to the raucous behavior, than any other time would be... Maybe the perpetrators would be a little less energized that early in the a.m., but I doubt that it would be enough to make a difference. If guidelines are set up as to dress code & behavior, then they should be STRICTLY enforced. Otherwise, the guilty parties won't take them seriously. Basically, it comes down to making an example of some of the violators to send the message to the other would be candidates.

If an attendee is yelling, cat- calling, or is just generally disrupting the ceremony for those that are acting civil, then the violators should be escorted out of the venue. If this situation is still occurring, then the message isn't being sent in a manner that the violators take seriously. Give-em' an inch, and they'll take a mile.

#13 emeril on 05/28/10 at 07:53 AM

whats the big deal your supposed to grad from high school

#14 Denise Therriault on 05/28/10 at 08:23 AM

"A sign of the times". I just see red when I hear this statement. DUH! A sign of the times does not mean we have to accept it.
Presently it is what has happened to our society when families forget teaching correct manners to their little ones and then the little one grows up and have babies. Those little ones can't be taught manners because the moms and dads haven't a clue what GOOD social manners are.
Funny though, when it's time for their baby to shine, they get mad at the lack of respect in the world. Just a sign of the times.

#14.1 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 12:31 PM

Denise, nobody said that a 'sign of the times' made it acceptable... It was just an observation. The culture that these kids live in today is the problem. The national media sensationalizes it. It's cool to be 'hot-rap', funky, tattoo(ed), & disrespectful toward authority in these kid's minds. A lot of the celebrities are doing drugs, so in these kids eyes, then it must be o.k. to do it, too.

Society has become more forgiving of these social ills. Leaders in government and other segments of society are getting caught with their britches down -- literally. Just ask John Edwards and the Governor of South, Carolina.

Erin Andrews -- the hot chick -- that does the sideline reporting on TV for college football had her nude photo taken thru a keyhole in her hotel suite's door by a stalker. It was put on the internet, and she brought a lawsuit against the culprit. Then, She turns right around and shakes her booty, while being scantily clad attire, on the wildly popular TV Show -- Dancing With The Stars. If She's gonna flaunt it, then she should expect suitors.

#14.1.1 Ode on 05/28/10 at 03:43 PM

As long as we have mentioned politicians caught with their pants down such as Governor John Edwards of South Carolina, please don't forget President Bill Clinton with his pants down in the White House with "Chubby Donna".

Great example "slick willie" sets for the youths of our nation.

#14.1.1.1 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 04:29 PM

Actually, John Edwards was a Senator from North Carolina. Mark Sanford is the Governor of South Carolina. Just for the record...

#14.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 06/02/10 at 05:46 AM

And it wasn't Donna but Monica.

#14.1.2 Denise Therriault on 05/28/10 at 09:36 PM

Sounds like we are on the same page.

A sign of the times is the new wording for so what, who cares, I don't care, I'm not going to do anything about it attitude. I'm hearing it everywhere.

And I sign my name, Denise, not Anonymous

#15 emeril on 05/28/10 at 08:27 AM

whats the big deal your supposed to grad. from high school

#15.1 Denise Therriault on 05/28/10 at 11:00 AM

Let me put it this way. What's the big deal? You are (you're) supposed to graduate from High school. Did you?
Check out to percentage of teenagers who don't. You will be shocked, even in todays world.

#15.1.1 Anonymous on 05/28/10 at 01:33 PM

I don't think you capitalize the "High" in high school, unless you capitalize the "School" as well.

...just sayin'

#16 emeril on 05/28/10 at 11:36 AM

that's the parents fault period.

#17 iggle on 05/28/10 at 10:34 PM

The solution is really simple. Whoever is reading the list of graduates should wait a full thirty seconds following any familial outbursts before announcing the next name. This way, all graduates are assured of having their names read/heard during the ceremony. And once the assorted family and friends realize that following this simple procedure will ensure that each and every graduation ceremony will last in excess of three hours, they will all contain their enthusiasms until a more appropriate time.

#17.1 honestly on 05/29/10 at 06:02 AM

An even simplier solution would be for people to have respect for each other and wait til after all names are called then have the applause and celebration for all at once!

#17.1.1 Anonymous on 05/30/10 at 11:47 AM

Yes it would... The Principal of the high school should make it understood at the outset of the ceremony that the cat-calling and outbursts will not be tolerated. And, that any violators would be escorted out of the venue. The guidelines should be that at the end of the ceremony when the last graduate is recognized and handed his / her diploma, that there will be a 'collective' applause for all those that graduated. Then they can all leave with dignity and pride in the graduate's accomplishments.

However, the biggest problem for those in charge is enforcing these guideline without further disrupting the process. The majority of those that are guilty of these antics are either illiterate, or uneducated themselves. They don't have the mental capacity, or the wherewithal, to understand that they are demeaning the accomplishments of those being recognized.

You can explain it to them, but it just doesn't register. Glory be the day, when these imbeciles are escorted from the premises. Then, maybe they'll get the message loud and clear. Fat chance of that happening, however.

#18 TTerry on 05/29/10 at 02:49 PM

I guess I am old fashioned. I came up in a military environment, and It's just beyond my comprehension of some of the actions and dress code that I saw today. Never would I have thought the youth would have stooped to the ideas they have today. There are a few young people outside of the graduates I saw today, that were well dressed and mannered. For the majority all I can say is God Help Us. What is scary to an old codger like myself is these are the best we have. I can't believe some of these young people that were dressed like I saw at a public event, are going to be our leaders one day. That is a lingering thought for me. I was in school when Gordon was a Military school, and we were taught pride in our actions and our appearance. If we did not tow the line and keep our nose clean, we paid the price with discipline that got your attention.
It is a shame that the parents of today do not want to be bothered by their children and depend on a government school to teach their off springs everything--politics--manners--dress-religion. Point is, they teach the students instead of the parents, but I guess it is too much to ask of them to teach their own flesh and blood the basics of life and the school to finish the education with the curriculum that is necessary to make it in life. You can tell that most of the parents do not care by the way their kids act. I saw it in a lot of adults also. I guess when some of the adults act and dress like some of the ones I saw, how can you expect any better out of their children.

#18.1 Anonymous on 05/29/10 at 06:08 PM

It's the same thing every year. There's always 'talk' about the parameters of behavior & dress code that will be 'required / tolerated' for the graduation ceremonies around the state. But, for the most part, the results are the same, i.e., the guidelines are not enforced fully enough to be effective.

And, the very things / rules that those in attendance were asked to abide by, go unheeded by those attending the ceremonies. So, at this time next year we'll be having this same discussion all over again.

At what point is the leadership of, not only, our public schools -- but, of our government, as well, going to quit winking at keeping civility and do something about the disrespect for it?

Does the dress code and behavior issue violations exist in the private school graduation ceremonies? If not, then why can't they be reined-in, in the public school sector, as well...

#19 Anonymous on 05/29/10 at 10:15 PM

Well, how did it go? Did this time and day change make any difference?

#20 Anonymous on 06/01/10 at 02:58 PM

hmm, no comments on how it went??

#21 Anonymous on 06/03/10 at 06:37 AM

Im just glad we had so many graduates this year! Good job.

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