imanant :: look at me go.

Monday, May 17, 2004
Graduations are silly.

I spent the weekend in Pennsylvania attending college graduation ceremonies; first at the beginning of a two parter at Bryn Mawr College on Saturday and then Haverford College and Bryn Mawr, Pt. 2 on Sunday. While exposing my body to the most sun it has felt in months, I played camera man, running around the stage with a fancy camera taking photos for the close friend of mine who was graduating.

I can't get over the pageantry of these events. Gowns, funny hats, rabbit fur collars, color guards, bagpipes, speeches about crossroads and alumni donations (get 'em while you can)...these schools go the full 100 yards (Bryn Mawr's was held under a huge tent). Do such events really symbolize the work and dedication we've paid to our studies over the last four years? My image of a ceremony fit for a college graduation would skip the pomp and circumstance and get to the point. Concise, like an essay. Isn't that what they taught us over the last four years? To be fair, a paperboy tossing a diploma on my front steps would be closer to what I deserve for my four years of "work".

It should be noted, I'm a huge party pooper. I just can't help but find all the pageantry ridiculous. A coverup of the bags under tired eyes sagging below the brims of funny hats. Then again, graduation is not really for the students, is it?

Through all the speeches, bagpipe marching bands, and a capella singers, the parents wait patiently for one moment. For four years, their ears have been itching to hear their offspring's name called out over a loud speaker so that they may have their moment of personal jubilee, exalting the genius they brought into the world. Perhaps also because it means they no longer have to pay tuition.

Good for them, I guess. For the work they do, they deserve it. Hell, give them a ceremony...I guess they already have that though.

Nevermind. Graduations are still silly.

posted by ezruh sellof at 12:48 AM 0 comments

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