When one thinks of June, we undoubtedly conjure up images of all the beautiful and talented women, past and present, named June—such as: country singer June Carter-Cash, actress June Lockhart, model June Wilkinson, ‘pointer sister’ June Pointer, the Beaver’s mom June Cleaver and reality star Mama June Shannon (Honey Boo-Boo’s beloved mother). Come to think of it, football coach June Jones might be more attractive and beloved than Mama June. He’s certainly more refined, but that’s just one man’s opinion.
The calendar month of June, on the other hand, is synonymous with many glorious events including weddings, vacations and graduations. As families all along the I-680 Corridor prepare for high school graduation, on or around Friday June 10th, there’s not a house, condo or townhome that will not be experiencing high levels of excitement, giddiness and euphoria. Once Senior Ball, Declare Day and final exams are completed, the days leading up to the actual commencement ceremony are a magical time consisting of year book signing, pool parties, and mani/pedis. That countdown to “Grad” day is the culmination of K-12 schooling with finality to the monotonous school rules, rituals, routines, homework and horrible cafeteria food.
Whether your high school senior is headed to college, trade school or the military, they are on their way to their future. But first, they must go through the cap and gown ceremony, grad night and a few dozen Beer Pong themed grad parties. At my high school graduation ceremony, I couldn’t wait to be released from the shackles of education and be free of high school. Granted, I did attend a boys’ detention center where we did actually wear shackles under our robes, so this was a literal reference not just a figurative one. I had to know the difference between literal and figurative to get my GED diploma, but I digress. Graduation is a special time for any teenager and one that will be a life-long memory. If you’re interested, I have a few other “graduation” thoughts and memories.
The movie The Graduate was a film released in 1967 that tells the story of a disillusioned college graduate (Dustin Hoffman) who’s torn between his older lover (Anne Bancroft) and her daughter (Katherine Ross). I do remember watching that movie for the first time while I was in high school, and just wishing I had Ben Braddock’s (Hoffman’s character) dilemma. At my high school there were several girls who had very attractive mothers that fell into that “WOW” category. I won’t name names, Donna Granowski, but I ran The Graduate movie in my head too many times to count with one Mrs. Granowski playing the part of the alluring and seductive Mrs. Robinson. Sorry Donna.
I’m not a big fan of Kanye West, the celebrity, but before he became Mr. Kardashian he released a CD entitled Graduation that was brilliant. I’m here to tell you, Graduation is an amazing collection of boldly crafted songs by an incredibly talented master word-smith. Very few of my countless number of fans know that I love me some hip-hop. Truth be told, I have actually counted all of my fans and I’m up to seventeen. Kanye’s third studio album was released in September of 2007. The CD contained numerous bold, innovative and utterly captivating lyrical masterpieces such as: Stronger, Good Life, Good Morning, The Glory and Everything I Am. Kanye won his third Grammy when Graduation was named Best Rap Album. Some might say with that album, Kayne graduated to a larger pop culture acceptance and audience.
Sadly, the high school graduation episode of most teen television series often proves to be the kiss of death for many of the main characters and decent plot lines, beginning with Happy Days. The Happy Days graduation episode aired in 1997 revealing Fonzie’s secret plan to graduate with Ritchie and Potsy’s senior class. You can’t have a town hoodlum go all cap and gown. What were they thinking? Different story lines, but the same results followed Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World, Beverly Hills 90210, all the way up to Glee’s graduation episode in 2012. Did anyone really think Finn and Rachel would get married when she had a chance to star on Broadway? Come on! It seems that graduation day is usually when a good teen series “jumps the shark” and begins its downward descent. While the series regulars always seem so youthful, enthusiastic and filled with promise while in high school, the minute they graduate they appear awkwardly older, directionless and seemingly out of place. It goes totally off the rails when these 18 – 20 year old college dropouts pursue unrealistic careers like club owner, apparel designer and politician.
Graduation itself starts with the procession of academic staff and students. The school band will likely play some off-key version of the graduation walking song, Pomp and Circumstance, to get everyone’s attention. The principal or school superintendent will wax on trying to inspire the 2016 class to greatness. The class valedictorian will try his or her best not to throw up or wet them self. Someone (often times the school janitor) will eventually get around to handing out the diplomas. The ceremony ends with caps being thrown in the air and Facebook blowing up as proud parents post millions of iPhone images of their kid’s noteworthy accomplishment. Let me stop now before I start tearing up. That darn pollen.
This year, as we sit through the commencement address, invocation and speeches, sit back and recall your own graduation ceremony and see what kind of memories it brings back. What type of hopes and dreams did you have on that special day? I envy where the kids are today, but they are also faced with challenges much different than anything we ever had to consider. The good news is that the possibilities are limitless once they graduate, …, college. Check back with me in four years.
Leave a Reply