It was held in the morning and attended by
all the students, the parents of the graduates, and a few selected guests – old teachers and influential people. The ceremony itself was
very formal – from the clothes down to how everything was
executed.
The students and the teachers assembled at
the gymnasium followed by the parents and guests. The homeroom teachers entered and made a bow that signaled the entrance of the graduates. Everyone
clapped while the 6th grade students paraded with a sharp movement. The
clapping ended when everyone was seated. It’s all about conformity out of
respect for others. If I were in my country, I’d probably only clap at the
beginning.
It was that moment when each student was
saying their dreams and some personal messages to their teachers, that I heard
a sob from where the parents were seated. And then my jaw dropped when I
realized that the graduates were also crying. To my surprise it was mostly the
boys who were tearing. Undoubtedly it was the most emotional time for everyone.
This event that I have taken part in is one
of the many experiences I would not forget. It was a little later that day when
I had a moment of flashbacks. Their graduation reminded me of mine. Although it
wasn’t as emotional, it made me reminisce of my time when I was marching and
receiving my diploma.
Indeed, their final chapter in elementary has
come to an end with happy tears, and memories they
would one day look back and smile about it.
