“Education never ends.” - Sherlock Holmes This past weekend I graduated in Seattle, Washington among nearly 100 others with approximately 700 presnt. A few particular graduation traditions sparked my curiosity and I wondered how they came to be… During the 12th century, European university students and faculty often wore robes and hoods as a practical way to keep warm in the unheated building, which led to the graduation gowns becoming a symbol of academic achievement and formality. The square graduation cap, which now symbolizes achievement and graduation, is called a mortarboard due to its shape resembling the square board used by bricklayers that carry mortar, which also began in medieval European universities.
Graduation tassels were used on academic caps in medieval Europe showing the academic achievement and status of the person. During a graduation ceremony, it has become a tradition to switch the tassel from the right to the left symbolizing the transition from student to graduate. Though this custom started in the United States in 1909, that is all that is known about it.
Graduates tossing their graduation caps into the air began in 1912. The United States Naval Academy graduates in that year had earned the right to wear officer hats, in which they spontaneously tossed their midshipman hats into the air, a tradition that spread to other colleges, universities, and onto high schools symbolizing freedom.
Last weekend (June 7th), I graduated from the online school Enlightium Academy. We travelled to Seattle, Washington for the banquet and ceremony.
During the banquet that took place the day before the graduation, each of the attending families got a chance to meet the faculty. Teachers, the principal, councilors and more went to each table to introduce themselves and talk to the graduates and their families.
The day of graduation all the graduating students went a few hours early to rehearse and meet one another.
For the graduation there was a slideshow showing all of the students who graduated (more than 500 even though less than half attended), their names, where they are from, and what they are planning to do.
Once it ended, the graduates formed two lines -about a yard away from each other- and we threw our caps in the air as a drone flew through to video it.
My cap, which I was able to customize had an open book and said: I trust the next chapter because I know the Author.
Now that I have graduated, I am glad that I do not need to worry about what comes next. I have the job I want and I’m still rewriting my book, which I hope to publish before the end of the year. I have several books and subjects that I intend to study, as I find that they are important and fascinating topics.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11