It has been 10 years since I attended a high school graduation ceremony. Margaret had just finished Xavier High School.
I was out of touch with what students do to sabatoge the ceremonies. It is usually cute little things but in today's world, who knows. I think at Christophers graduation from North High in Sheboygan, every student had a single marble in his hand as he shook the Principal's hand at the top of the stage stairs. The idea was to give the Principal 450 marbles, one at a time until his pockets were bulging or he had to find a way to get rid of the marbles. Cute! Harmless! It beats "mooning" or obscene gestures.
Well Appleton North High School had their 2006 graduation last night at the North Gym. Number 6 on my program was Nevin Andrews. Yep, he made it. It was right there in print. Let the bells ring out!
Your mom and I got to the Gym early to get good seats. That meant 45 minutes before the ceremony began. We did it! We were in the top row of the foldout bleachers and had the wall as a back rest. We could see the stage really well. We guessed right since Nevin marched in on our side of the gym.
The gym was filled with family and friends of 450 North graduates. There were military family members in attendance and there was even one student that didn't attend the graduation ceremony because he had already left for "boot" camp to start his military tour of duty.
The procession started on time, 6:00 PM. Yep, number 6 in the line was Nevin. He as tall, walked proudly and certainly was the most handsome. The nice thing about the name Andrews is that you are always close to the front of the line. The procession finished their entry and all stood in front of their respective chairs. And they stood and stood and stood. It seems that they had not provided enough chairs for all the graduates and I counted 6 students in back that would be left standing if they didn't find more chairs. So nobody sat down until enough chairs were provided. Then everyone remained standing. It was obvious that the "sound system" was not working and instructions to be seated could not be given. From our high vantage point in the bleachers we could see feverish activity as they kept checking electrical connections. As the crowd got more restless, the band played "Hail, Hail, the Gangs All Here" to provide some levity. It was about 6:20 PM before the Principal finally could say "please be seated". Yeah, yeah, yeah.
After several speeches, no lots of speeches, the 2006 graduating class was presented. Of course the 6th person to march across the stage was Nevin Andrews. He garnered the attention of the thousands in attendance. There were cheers from various corners of the gymnasium. It confirmed he as the most handsome guy there. Then we had to wait for the other 444 graduates.
It ended around 8:00 PM without further mishaps. Perhaps the graduating students had something to do with the sound system not working. No, that could not be. That would be presumptious on my part.
So you see, Nevin Andrews made his mark and graduated high school June 8, 2006. He can be proud that he has the basis for moving on to bigger and better things in his life. Oh, the things he will see. Oh, the things he will do.
I know this. Nevin is a bright guy with unlimited potential. A guy that has Eagle Scout credentials and a High School diploma is equiped to take on the world. My fondest wish is for Nevin to do things that he can enjoy and develop the talents he has. Go Nevin, go. Do it your way.
Love
Chas. (Dad)