I Day and HS School Graduation

That would be so cool. Not gonna happen if DS gets an appointment.

DS's high school used to list school of acceptance in the graduation program - but no longer does because it will make some of the graduates not feel good about themselves (not kidding). Also, they dropped recognition of graduating with honors, valedictorians, IB diploma candidates, and NHS members (they used to recognize all of these). There is recognition, however, for the football, basketball, track, and soccer top players of the class. So there's that.
I would go to the school board and complain. Either recognize everything or nothing at all

Or recognize what really matters. They can have a sports recognition night before graduation.
 
Or recognize what really matters. They can have a sports recognition night before graduation.
Our school has an Academic Awards night as well as an athletic Awards night separate from graduation. Recognize the valedictorian and salutatorian and as of three years ago those going into the military at graduation (by having them stand).
 
Or recognize what really matters. They can have a sports recognition night before graduation.
Our school has an Academic Awards night as well as an athletic Awards night separate from graduation. Recognize the valedictorian and salutatorian and as of three years ago those going into the military at graduation (by having them stand).

Our school has an awards night ... sports and academics mixed.

At graduation, they honor valedictorian, salutatorian, those going into military, and approximately 10 monetary awards for basically academic achievement by donors. I am not sure how they separate the awards between graduation and awards night - they both have some money awards.

They also wear different tassels for different achievements ... ie those with associate degrees have a certain color.
 
Same with no recognition. It stemmed from a lawsuit filed by a student from the school, for not allowing an outside presentation of a scholarship. School policy is no outside presenters (so no BGO’s for example). But this was a ‘politically correct’ motivated issue, complete with ‘violation of civil rights’ stuff. But the school had to fight and defend itself at least PR wise, if not literally. Very sad. So the school has gone to not acknowledging anything. Complete opposite end of the spectrum. A few spoiling it for all kind of thing.
 
My two oldest sons went to an adjacent public high school (before we were redistricted) and at that school they had an awards night that was very nice. One of my #2 son's classmates was recognized for USAFA appointment - with ALO and a uniformed officer. It was fantastic. Everyone cheered. My DS (going for USNA appointment this spring) was in 6th grade and I can point to that night as the beginning of his journey to today.
 
Sports in our society are always given better treatment than academics.

One only needs to look at the colorblind waivers saved for D1 athletes over academics. ;) :)

- a disgruntled father waiting impatiently ;)
 
I'm going to take a contrarian view somewhat analogous to @Old Navy BGO but perhaps harder line. I'm doing this just for the halibut. I hate driving at night. High School graduations are boring. Any fun to be had will happen at parties that occur AFTER, and your DS won't be attending them anyway. So I would tell my kid in this situation, "Great! You're a man now! You figure out how you're getting to I-Day". Problem solved, We're going two days early, just like normal human beings, and spending quality time as a family for those two days. High school friendships fade away. Family is forever.

Let the recriminations begin! :rolleyes::eek:

EDIT: I would add that any friend from high school will remain a friend if you don't attend graduation.
 
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I'm going to take a contrarian view somewhat analogous to @Old Navy BGO but perhaps harder line. I'm doing this just for the halibut. I hate driving at night. High School graduations are boring. Any fun to be had will happen at parties that occur AFTER, and your DS won't be attending them anyway. So I would tell my kid in this situation, "Great! You're a man now! You figure out how you're getting to I-Day". Problem solved, We're going two days early, just like normal human beings, and spending quality time as a family for those two days. High school friendships fade away. Family is forever.

Let the recriminations begin! :rolleyes::eek:

You’re being unfair dad! That’s it. I’m not going to I Day. I’m going with my hippie friends across America and joining a socialist cult, experimenting with all the best sex, drugs and rap!

I actually agree with you ...
 
Last year, we went a week early and stayed near the Pentagon. My DS decided to call one of the Senators who nominated him, from the steps of the Capitol building. The Senator was there and said, "come on in!"
So he did. That was cool.
 
High School graduations are boring.

Incredibly boring! I have to sit through three graduations this spring for sons (MS, BS, HS). This will be my third HS graduation (following four 8th grade graduations, which are pretty bad), fourth MS (wife has 3 - I didn't go to mine), and 3rd BS graduation (plus one MBA and one Ph.D.). They are ALL incredibly boring and go on forever. The graduate just wants it all to end. They are a living hell if you have a loved one participating. I can't imagine what they are like for everyone else. They are in gyms or hockey rinks with horrible acoustics. The valedictorian speech (if there is one) is predictable (if you're lucky), and the key note speaker should just say "congratulations, you've got a lucky face" and sit down. The worst part is the families that hoot and holler when their child crosses the stage (I get that but they always seem to sit right behind me and it hurts my ears).
 
High School graduations are boring.

Incredibly boring! I have to sit through three graduations this spring for sons (MS, BS, HS). This will be my third HS graduation (following four 8th grade graduations, which are pretty bad), fourth MS (wife has 3 - I didn't go to mine), and 3rd BS graduation (plus one MBA and one Ph.D.). They are ALL incredibly boring and go on forever. The graduate just wants it all to end. They are a living hell if you have a loved one participating. I can't imagine what they are like for everyone else. They are in gyms or hockey rinks with horrible acoustics. The valedictorian speech (if there is one) is predictable (if you're lucky), and the key note speaker should just say "congratulations, you've got a lucky face" and sit down. The worst part is the families that hoot and holler when their child crosses the stage (I get that but they always seem to sit right behind me and it hurts my ears).
Funny you mention hockey rinks. I remember only 2 things from my graduation. I remember joining the choir at the end to sing the Benediction. I also remember they turned the ice machines on for the hockey game later that night. The graduates were freezing and slipping all over as they walked to the stage to accept their diplomas. I think one or two may have fell on their butts.
 
School policy is no outside presenters (so no BGO’s for example).

Unfortunate, as High School Awards ceremonys are a great opportunity to promote awareness of the Naval Academy. I often see candidates in smaller towns come in groups...one kids starts the progression, and for the next few years I have additional candidates who became aware of the Naval Academy through the leader. (It may come as a shock to those on the Coasts, but USNA isn't in the forefront of college choices in rural mid America).

I like to attend the small school award ceremonies ..and have often driven hours to get there. Its a great recognition for the successful candidate, and in some cases , the only time I get to talk with parents. I will admit though, sometimes its painful sitting through 2 hours of presentations of $250 scholarships. (I remember one, only about 30-40 students in the graduating class, and 2 hours long ).
 
School policy is no outside presenters (so no BGO’s for example).

Unfortunate, as High School Awards ceremonys are a great opportunity to promote awareness of the Naval Academy. I often see candidates in smaller towns come in groups...one kids starts the progression, and for the next few years I have additional candidates who became aware of the Naval Academy through the leader. (It may come as a shock to those on the Coasts, but USNA isn't in the forefront of college choices in rural mid America).

I like to attend the small school award ceremonies ..and have often driven hours to get there. Its a great recognition for the successful candidate, and in some cases , the only time I get to talk with parents. I will admit though, sometimes its painful sitting through 2 hours of presentations of $250 scholarships. (I remember one, only about 30-40 students in the graduating class, and 2 hours long ).

LOL that’s the problem - all the little awards.

My daughter graduated in 2016 ... one girl won like 6 awards. She was top ten ... but didn’t stand out academically. She was the nicest girl though and I was happy for her.

A better approach would be to list the winners in the brochure and let people read them.

We were in the ice rink of the college - no ice. Sweat met butt off.
 
That would be so cool. Not gonna happen if DS gets an appointment.

DS's high school used to list school of acceptance in the graduation program - but no longer does because it will make some of the graduates not feel good about themselves (not kidding). Also, they dropped recognition of graduating with honors, valedictorians, IB diploma candidates, and NHS members (they used to recognize all of these). There is recognition, however, for the football, basketball, track, and soccer top players of the class. So there's that.
I would go to the school board and complain. Either recognize everything or nothing at all

Or recognize what really matters. They can have a sports recognition night before graduation.
I agree. Sports accolades should be presented at an awards night or something
 
That would be so cool. Not gonna happen if DS gets an appointment.

DS's high school used to list school of acceptance in the graduation program - but no longer does because it will make some of the graduates not feel good about themselves (not kidding). Also, they dropped recognition of graduating with honors, valedictorians, IB diploma candidates, and NHS members (they used to recognize all of these). There is recognition, however, for the football, basketball, track, and soccer top players of the class. So there's that.
I would go to the school board and complain. Either recognize everything or nothing at all
don't get me started on how local newspapers run stories on all the athletes signing at colleges but never mentions any other kids getting into colleges w/scholarships. that's not right
 
That would be so cool. Not gonna happen if DS gets an appointment.

DS's high school used to list school of acceptance in the graduation program - but no longer does because it will make some of the graduates not feel good about themselves (not kidding). Also, they dropped recognition of graduating with honors, valedictorians, IB diploma candidates, and NHS members (they used to recognize all of these). There is recognition, however, for the football, basketball, track, and soccer top players of the class. So there's that.
I would go to the school board and complain. Either recognize everything or nothing at all
don't get me started on how local newspapers run stories on all the athletes signing at colleges but never mentions any other kids getting into colleges w/scholarships. that's not right
Our local newspaper actually ran two great stories last year -we had 5 graduates going to SA's in the county and a few getting ROTC scholarships-
 
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