The Death of Celebration

I was driving to work this morning and in the news heard that schools in Pitt County were cracking down on excessive cheering at their upcoming graduations. Really? We stress how important school is to kids for the first 18 years of their lives and they can't celebrate making it to the end? The people who are proud of them should be able to express that feeling, otherwise there's no damn point in having a graduation other than to take pictures with your principal in a cap and gown.

A student in Ohio had his diploma DENIED because his family cheered too loudly at his graduation. So let me get this straight, your family being proud of you is a bad thing? I always thought America was all about "family values" and all that crap but apparently it's not ok to be excited and celebrate your children's accomplishments. The worst part about this story is that the kid is now being forced to perform 20 hours of community service before he can get his diploma. He's being treated like a damn criminal because his family was proud of his accomplishment.

Another incident happened in Myrtle Beach when a girl's mother was ARRESTED for cheering when her daughter walked across the stage. ARRESTED! The school had posted that anyone cheering would be escorted out but arresting this woman is ridiculous. Honestly, I think it's insulting to "outlaw" cheering in the first place, but to arrest someone for showing their daughter how proud they were blows my mind. Again I ask, what is the point in having a graduation ceremony if you can't cheer for your friends and family?

If this is the way things are going to be done, why not just have someone film the damn ceremony in an empty auditorium and send the parents the DVD of their kid's graduation? Then they wouldn't have to worry about anyone making noise. Or do 2 ceremonies: one where they do all the speeches and tassel turning and any other "traditions" that is only open to immediate parents/guardians and then a second later in the day where the students actually get to "walk" that is open to friends and family where people can cheer, students can celebrate, and a day that should be happy and full of fun and excitement can actually have some fun and excitement. Hell, you could even make the 2nd part optional so the lameasses can go home.

I just don't see why a celebration needs so many rules and restrictions.