Commencement Ceremonies
“We have a ticket for you for the Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) graduation ceremony on June 10th” stirred mixed emotions.
Of course I wanted to see my granddaughter Aly graduate from SBHS.
And also of course, I did not want to sit in the “backless” bleachers for hours watching students that I had not met, nor would ever meet.
However, my visions of the pride that I felt in receiving my diploma from Collingswood High School (CHS) turned the tide in favor of sitting the two hours for Aly, and the other soon to be graduates, would have the opportunity to experience the same pride of accomplishment.
The Ceremony Commences
“Commencement” primarily means a beginning, start, or the point at which something is launched. The term derives from the verb “commence” and is also formally used to describe academic graduation ceremonies and the official start dates of legal or business contracts.
A commencement ceremony is an academic event celebrating the completion of a degree program. It marks the symbolic start of a graduate’s new career or next phase of life.
Commencement ceremonies are traditionally held in late May or June; i.e., this is the commencement season.
Students completing their degree requirements prior to the “commencement season” typically have to wait for the ceremony, as I did after completing the requirements for a B.A. at The University of North Carolina.
Attire
The tradition of caps and gowns originated in medieval Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries. The long robes and hoods were modeled after clerical dress.
The square academic cap evolved from the Catholic “biretta.” It was dubbed the “mortarboard” because it resembles the flat boards bricklayers use to hold mortar.
In the 1890s American universities adopted the Intercollegiate Code to standardized the colors and patterns of gowns based on the wearer’s degree level and field of study.
Processional
Commencement ceremonies typically begin with a processional of those who are going to receive diplomas/degrees as happened at SBHS with the “Class of 2026 Processional.” The band played “Santa Barbara Hail to Thee!” by Doris Holt ’44.
Memories of taking that walk flashed before me, although my memory included the pain of limping through our processional to our seats in the football field.
Why was I limping?
Earlier that day after spraining my ankle playing basketball, I rushed home and soaked it in hot water. Later – while trying to jam my foot into a shoe and walk – I learned the foolishness of using hot water instead of ice.
As the program at SBHS continued so did my almost being able to feel my ankle throbbing while thinking that this was the last time all of us would be together as part of the same community of students.
Commencement speakers
The speakers typically praise the students for their achievements in completing the requirements for a diploma.
At the SBHS ceremony as the class president and several other students gave their perspective on the achievements of those receiving diplomas, I thought of my parents.
My father was so proud to have skipped a grade in order to be the first Zepke to graduate from a U.S. high school, CHS, that I was proud to graduate from 32 years later.
My mother had to skip two grades to graduate from Woodrow Wilson High at age 15.
My parents gave up their hopes for college in order to help support their parents during the Great Depression.
My generation graduated into the Vietnam War.
My children’s generation graduated into a country and world benefiting from the Reagan presidency.
My grandchildren’s generation are graduating into a country and world benefiting from the Trump presidency.
Acceptance of Diploma, Changing of the Tassels
For high schools, such as SBHS, the tassel is traditionally worn on the right side of the cap but is flipped to the left side after graduates receive their diplomas.
Subsequently
The commencement ceremonies represent an achievement by the graduates and the opportunity to commence their participation in the greatest country in the history of the world.
The ceremony created permanent memories for the graduates, families, friends and teachers.
For example, at our 50th reunion my classmate and friend Norm Dahl gave me the newspaper clipping from our graduation night that announced my scholarship. Much to my surprise my teacher of chemistry and physics, Dr. Simmons, related some very complimentary things about me to his wife.
It was my pleasure to join all those happy faces at Santa Barbara High commencement ceremony both on the graduation field and in the stands who were creating their own sets of memories for the next 50 years, and beyond.
To the graduates of all schools, I offer the words of my mother on my graduation night “An education is something no one can take from you.”
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