I’ve taken part in a couple of graduations, I’ve prepared kids for other graduations,  and I’ve attended lots of graduations.

But this year is different. It is hard for everyone. Take middle school, for example. I remember my class at Adams School marching down the aisle of the auditoriam singing at the top of our voices, “Adams we sing to thee, school that we love….” Probably a little corny for the kids nowdays, huh?

Two of our classmates were playing pianos as we sang. The girls wore the dresses we had sewn in Home Ec class and the guys wore dress pants and shirts. This year the middle schools everywhere will have no ceremonies.

My graduation class from Phoenix Union High School numbered 750. We had looked forward to that day for a long time. My story took a little twist.

The class was supposed to march out onto field of Montgomery stadium in order of their scholastic record. My boyfriend was number 50 and I was 150. Still not bad out of 750, right? He was the Salutitorian. I was busy typing his speech for him and we totally forgot the rehearsal the night before. He was allowed to walk in front and give his speech as planned. The teachers in charge didn’t want any last minute changes.  But some had to be punished. No amount of parents intervention was tolerated.   So,  I was relegated to the end of the line, walking with the dumbest guy in our school. He turned out to be a well known politician on our state!

I know a young lady who is graduating from Sunnyslope High School this week. She will have a few friends over and they will take pictures in their caps and gowns. Then I hope they have some fun that day too. You see, she has worked very hard and earned a full scholarship to Grand Canyon University. I wish she could have her ceremony.

My Great-Grandson has just completed 4 years of Medical School. He has worked and deserves a celebration and so do his parents, but there won’t be one.

I wish we could all promise the next year’s graduates that we’ll do everything we can to help stem this virus and hopefully by next graduation season everyone  can march across that stage at their school and receive their reward.