03 March 2008
Response to "Graduation Antics"
Shortly after the 1999 graduation ceremonies at my former high school, a letter to the editor appeared in the newspaper from a former high school English teacher. The newspaper - in their ceremony coverage - chose to include a photograph of one student "wheeling" another student down the aisle. The former English teacher objected to the printing of this photo, and shared her dismay in a letter to the editor. This was the same year in which the Columbine shooting occurred: just one month prior to the above-mentioned graduation. The comments from my high school English teacher came across as so elitist that I felt the need to respond....
Here's the letter - published in it's entirety. I've changed the name of the teacher, the high school and the newspaper, because it's no longer important who wrote the letter or where it appeared. But the thoughts expressed in my letter are still important to me. Special thanks to Sandra, Jason & Lois for their help/input with this letter.
Dismayed by teacher's letter against graduation 'antics'
Dear Editor:
As a former graduate of Smalltown High School, I was both surprised and dismayed to read Mary Smith's letter of June 9 in the Daily News. In her letter, Mrs. Smith speaks out against both the "antics" that occurred at Smalltown High School's graduation ceremony as well as the the decision of the Daily News to cover these antics.
Frankly, the comments made in Smith's letter are not comments I would expect from a teacher, nor comments I would expect from Smith herself. Although it's been quite a while since I've sat in one of Mrs. Smith's classes, I often found her to be an inspiration, and the many accomplishments of her many students tend to reflect her abilities as an educator.
However, to me, this letter reminds me of the minority of aged individuals in academia who fancy themselves as an education elite - a class of their own who are not willing to share their status with just anyone.
Mrs. Smith describes the "wheeling" in of one student by another as "immature", and states that this incident occurred during what should have been a "solemn" moment in the ceremony. Well, the question first and foremost on my mind (and I'm sure the minds of others) is, "If graduation is such a solemn occasion, then why the silly hats and gowns?" Smith adds that the majority of the audience felt this action was inappropriate. I wonder whether Smith polled the entire audience and whether her comments are an accurate representation of those in attendance?
Mrs. Smith says that "the Class of '99 with a few exceptions, has been an outstanding group." This is a rather demeaning statement about those that Smith considers "exceptions" - and not something one would expect to hear from an individual whose job it is to educate, enlighten and encourage.
I wonder just what Smith's criteria are for one to be considered "outstanding". How many famous and/or successful individuals never graduated from high school, yet went on to do great things? What percentage of students in this country never graduate from high school at all? Simply making it through to graduation always has been and always will be an achievement to be proud of.
Mary Smith concludes her letter by instructing the Daily News to only focus on the positive aspects of education and to ignore the rest. By making such a statement, Smith is not only asking the media to go against the basic principle of accurate and objective reporting, but she's also handing out perilous advice. We all know the potential for danger when negative aspects of any situation/institution are ignored.
Graduation is (or should be) a day for the students - to celebrate in a manner of their choosing. These kids just spent 12 years of their lives in school, and that day is probably one of the last times they would ever be together as a class again. They should be able to have fun one last time as a group. There's nothing wrong with students having a little fun, particularly if they're feeling overwhelmed. I think it's part of their charm.
There is no other time in one's life where immaturity and inappropriateness bear no long-standing, life-altering consequences. Even if some antics at graduation were deemed inappropriate, in years to come, it would be something everyone would laugh about.
The Class of '99 - all of them - should be praised for having survived such a scary year with enough love of life left in them to have some fun! I'm sure there are many students - particularly those at Columbine High in Littleton, Colo. - who would have rejoiced at the opportunity to "wheel" their classmates down the aisle. Let everyone celebrate in harmless ways, but celebrate none the less! And to those of you opposed to students enjoying their graduation ceremonies, lighten up a little!
Here's the letter - published in it's entirety. I've changed the name of the teacher, the high school and the newspaper, because it's no longer important who wrote the letter or where it appeared. But the thoughts expressed in my letter are still important to me. Special thanks to Sandra, Jason & Lois for their help/input with this letter.
Dismayed by teacher's letter against graduation 'antics'
Dear Editor:
As a former graduate of Smalltown High School, I was both surprised and dismayed to read Mary Smith's letter of June 9 in the Daily News. In her letter, Mrs. Smith speaks out against both the "antics" that occurred at Smalltown High School's graduation ceremony as well as the the decision of the Daily News to cover these antics.
Frankly, the comments made in Smith's letter are not comments I would expect from a teacher, nor comments I would expect from Smith herself. Although it's been quite a while since I've sat in one of Mrs. Smith's classes, I often found her to be an inspiration, and the many accomplishments of her many students tend to reflect her abilities as an educator.
However, to me, this letter reminds me of the minority of aged individuals in academia who fancy themselves as an education elite - a class of their own who are not willing to share their status with just anyone.
Mrs. Smith describes the "wheeling" in of one student by another as "immature", and states that this incident occurred during what should have been a "solemn" moment in the ceremony. Well, the question first and foremost on my mind (and I'm sure the minds of others) is, "If graduation is such a solemn occasion, then why the silly hats and gowns?" Smith adds that the majority of the audience felt this action was inappropriate. I wonder whether Smith polled the entire audience and whether her comments are an accurate representation of those in attendance?
Mrs. Smith says that "the Class of '99 with a few exceptions, has been an outstanding group." This is a rather demeaning statement about those that Smith considers "exceptions" - and not something one would expect to hear from an individual whose job it is to educate, enlighten and encourage.
I wonder just what Smith's criteria are for one to be considered "outstanding". How many famous and/or successful individuals never graduated from high school, yet went on to do great things? What percentage of students in this country never graduate from high school at all? Simply making it through to graduation always has been and always will be an achievement to be proud of.
Mary Smith concludes her letter by instructing the Daily News to only focus on the positive aspects of education and to ignore the rest. By making such a statement, Smith is not only asking the media to go against the basic principle of accurate and objective reporting, but she's also handing out perilous advice. We all know the potential for danger when negative aspects of any situation/institution are ignored.
Graduation is (or should be) a day for the students - to celebrate in a manner of their choosing. These kids just spent 12 years of their lives in school, and that day is probably one of the last times they would ever be together as a class again. They should be able to have fun one last time as a group. There's nothing wrong with students having a little fun, particularly if they're feeling overwhelmed. I think it's part of their charm.
There is no other time in one's life where immaturity and inappropriateness bear no long-standing, life-altering consequences. Even if some antics at graduation were deemed inappropriate, in years to come, it would be something everyone would laugh about.
The Class of '99 - all of them - should be praised for having survived such a scary year with enough love of life left in them to have some fun! I'm sure there are many students - particularly those at Columbine High in Littleton, Colo. - who would have rejoiced at the opportunity to "wheel" their classmates down the aisle. Let everyone celebrate in harmless ways, but celebrate none the less! And to those of you opposed to students enjoying their graduation ceremonies, lighten up a little!
letters to editors
I have written countless letters over the years - to newspapers, magazines, politicians and the like - on a variety of issues. Many of my letters have been published. Some of my letters to politicians have received more than just a canned response.
I have copies of all of my letters (published/replied to), and as I sort through my office (a job that will probably take the rest of my life!), I'll post things here. In some instances I have the original article/issue that I was responding to. In other instances, I guess I'll have to provide a brief explanation of the situation.
Hopefully there's something here that will interest you.
I have copies of all of my letters (published/replied to), and as I sort through my office (a job that will probably take the rest of my life!), I'll post things here. In some instances I have the original article/issue that I was responding to. In other instances, I guess I'll have to provide a brief explanation of the situation.
Hopefully there's something here that will interest you.
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