Graduating the Granddaughter

From May 22 to Jun 4 we were in Utah attending Dayna’s seminary graduation and high school graduation. This was Salem Hills high school’s second graduating class and the second time the graduation ceremonies were held at the high school stadium. The invitation informed everyone that the event would go forward no matter what the weather. The day before the ceremonies, it snowed – 2 inches in Orem. But on May 25, the sun came out and welcomed us to a glorious day.

I had only been to one outdoor graduation before – for my oldest son in Phoenix. And that was going be a hard program to beat because during the opening prayer (they actually had prayers back then, and it wasn’t even an LDS town) there was a streaker who ran full-katilt, stark raving nude across the end zone. I missed the whole thing, however, because being the devoutly religious person I am, I had my eyes closed in prayer. Although the entire crowd was hooting and cheering, I kept my eyes closed and wondered disgustedly about the manners of the irreverent crowd.

But Dayna’s graduation did out-do that one of 1976. The graduates marched around the entire football field. It was fun to watch the senior girls wobble around the track in their spiked heels of bright yellows, pinks, and purples. Dayna was two people behind the bright yellow spiked heels, so she was easy to find. (Dayna chose to wear purple comfortable flat shoes.)

Skydivers presented the American Flag, sailing through the air, then down onto the field where a Boy Scout ran it over to the flag pole and a waiting honor guard raised it up, then gave it a 4-gun salute. The speeches were even great - the principal talked of Alice in Wonderland and likened her adventures to those the graduating students were likely to face. And told the kids that they could actually have their “cake and eat it, too,” and pointed to a table that was laden with cupcakes for each student, and each cupcake held a picture of a graduating student.

The show was great – watching the back-flips and inane gesturing of the kids as they received their diplomas. No sooner had the last graduate received his diploma than a cannon blast rent the air, followed by 4 others in quick succession! I had to search under the bleachers for my heart! What a day! What a great event to honor the graduates! It was fun to be there – Thank you, Dayna, for inviting us.