Graduating on June 23

thederek

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
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Feb 25, 2009
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Hey Everyone-

My graduation ceremony is on June 23 (yes, the day before I-day). I live in Southern California, and our school schedule runs a bit late. My ceremony is at 5 and I am talking with my principal so I could leave at 5:30 to catch an 8pm flight to arrive in CO at around 11pm. At this point, I'm just looking for opinions about what I should do:

Catch the 8pm flight? or not walk at graduation and catch an earlier flight?

Thank you very much,
Derek
 
First off congrats. on your appointment. As a parent I will say that I would want to see my son walk in his high school graduation. There are also a lot of family members that will watch him walk on that day that mignt not be able to see him at his AFA graduation. I would talk to your parents and ask them what they think. Might not seem like a big deal right now however some years down the road you might look back and say man I wish I would have walked in high school. Did you go to the same school the last four years? Did you grow up with your class mates? these are some of the thing you should take into consideration before you decide. You are on a short time line however don't race into your future without completing your past. Good luck on your decision. We also live in So-Cal and my son is in the class of 2014.
 
I agree that it would make travel easier and put a little less stress on you, if your arrive one day early. However, from your post, I wonder if you would have enough time to airport, check luggage, go through security, etc. even if you left graduation at 1730. First day at the academy is going to be a whirlwind and even if you arrive one day early you may not get much sleep (i.e. nervous and butterflies in stomach). Ultimately that is your choice to make.

However, if you decide to arrive a day early, ask your school for a special presentation of your diploma. If you did it a couple of days before reporting then mom & dad & family can all be there as well as have that final celebration party for you prior to leaving for the academy.
 
Derek,

I, too, live in Southern California (Torrance) and will be graduating on June 23rd. I've been pretty concerned about how this will all work out as well. Like SCHULTZ said, I really do think that I would regret not walking my high school's graduation. Our friends, our families, and our mentors have planned for years to attend that once-in-a-lifetime event, and I truly believe that it is vital that we attend as well. I don't know about you, but for me, they are the ones who have inspired me to serve - to repay them for what they have given me.

As for sleep - hey, it's the day before I-day; I really doubt we'll be getting much sleep anyway.
 
You guys are lucky. I too live in So. Cal, except I graduate on JUNE 24!!!! I don't even know what to do anymore. I definitely don't want to miss the first day of I-day but then I don't want to miss graduation.
 
We live in Virginia, and my son also graduates on 6/24 :frown: so we don't really have a choice --he has to miss the graduation.

The ALOs usually come and do a presentation for military service academy appointees at the yearly school awards ceremony. But they are not going to have the awards ceremony this year because people complain it takes too long.

Then my son went to pay his senior dues for prom and cap and gown--and he asked if it could be prorated because he won't be needing a cap and gown, and they said "sorry, we don't do that".

My son is alot less upset about it than we are so we are just going with his dream, and that is the Air Force Academy :)--he feels fortunate to be able to attend.
 
With all these graduations on the 23rd or 24th you would think the AFA would look at that and start a week later. As far as sleep on the 23rd not sure anybody will get much sleep that night. Good luck with everybody on their travels, hope to meet inperson in June.
 
I'm sorry that some of you have to make a hard decision. It will be the first of many tough decisions that you will make because you are choosing to attend the USAFA. As a cadet you will constantly have to choose between events and they are not easy choices sometimes. For instance, some of the juniors will be missing the Ring Dance in order to participate in immersion programs and research programs.

Not all high schools across the country get out that late. Our graduation is May 28th.

I hate to burst your bubble but the USAFA has Inprocessing when they do because that's what fits their schedule with their 3 summer periods. The upperclassmen will have already finished their 1st period and those that run BCT are there for 2nd and 3rd periods.

Enjoy your senior year and you will find a solution that works for you and your families.
 
You guys are lucky. I too live in So. Cal, except I graduate on JUNE 24!!!! I don't even know what to do anymore. I definitely don't want to miss the first day of I-day but then I don't want to miss graduation.

Sorry, but it looks like your decision is made for you. There's no way you could get out of I-day. And you don't want to show up late either :eek:. Make sure you say goodbye to your friends at the grad parties in the weeks before. It's the last time you'll see most of them for years.
 
One thing that you will have to learn once you're in the military, is that there are a lot of major life events that you're going to have to miss. Not just your life events, but your loved ones as well. Since being at USAFA, I've missed my brother's wedding, a best friend's funeral. Just to put it in a little perspective!
 
Sorry, but it looks like your decision is made for you. There's no way you could get out of I-day. And you don't want to show up late either :eek:. Make sure you say goodbye to your friends at the grad parties in the weeks before. It's the last time you'll see most of them for years.

Oh well, graduating on stage would have been nice but I'd rather not miss a day of I-day. My new future is in the Air Force soon, so what's one day right?
 
grad video

That was awesome. Still 4 1/2 years to go, and I can't wait for that to be us filming our son!!! Thanks!!!
 
Is there anyway to talk with the principle and move the graduation to an earlier time? Or are you at a booked venue? I knnow some schools have grad in their gym and others go to arenas.

Just wondering, I graduate the 20th of May, does anyone graduate before then?
 
thank you for all of the input everyone. while it will definitely be a bummer to miss the actual graduation at my school, the academy is obviously the priority. that being said, my principal agreed to present my diploma at my graduation party a few days early.

see you guys in june! :thumb:
 
Glad it all worked out. And while walking the line with your classmates is something to remember forever; I think having the "Personal Touch" and having the principal deliver your diploma personally at your graduation party, is actually a more unique and memorable experience. Good for you.

Always remember to look on the positive side of things. Never be an extremist. When people debate whether the glass is half empty or half full, and you've got the extreme pessimist and the extreme optimist, never strive to be either. Find the good in it instead. Optimists "Think" they are always positive. The problem is, when things don't go right, they become extremely disappointed. So, instead of the glass being half empty or half full, consider this instead:

"There is exactly the right amount of water. The glass happens to be the wrong size."

In more practical terms; take what you have to work with, and do your best with it. It never does you any good to think: "I wish I had more, less, bigger, smaller, etc...." Take what you are given, and MAKE IT WORK!!! Ok; enough philosophy lesson. You Done Did Good. You're on your way to one of the greatest educational institutions in the world. And you've chosen to serve and defend your country. (By the way, THANK YOU for that. Thank EVERYONE who is, was, or will be serving). So enjoy the rest of your school year; keep up the grades; have a lot of fun with friends and family; DON'T GET STUPID; and best of luck at the academy. mike....
 
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