Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406020125
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIMI EUBANK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Many schools plan special events so the graduates can enjoy their last days of high school in a lighter, more carefree manner.
At Roanoke Catholic, seniors take a day of retreat to reflect on their experiences together.
It's "spiritual camaraderie for the senior class," said Principal Karen Mabry.
A pregraduation tradition long celebrated at William Fleming - now the Fleming-Rufner Magnet Center - is the capping ceremony. Each graduate used to hand the cap to the principal who would then place it on the graduate's head.
As the senior class has gotten larger, however, the parents now place the caps on their children all at once.
Gerald McDearmon, principal of the School of Global and International Studies at Fleming, said the capping ceremony serves as a "signal of the beginning of the graduation season."
Patrick Henry seniors participate in a mock graduation. Students don the full graduation regalia and decorate the caps with names of schools or career choices.
Shearer Ramsey, an algebra teacher at Patrick Henry, said the mock graduation is important because "when the students get to the real ceremony, they want to take it seriously."
The location a school chooses to hold graduation leaves as lasting an impression as the ceremony itself. Students need a "personal atmosphere for a meaningful graduation," said Jo Brittle, senior class sponsor at Cave Spring.
In past years, some schools held graduation outside. But now most ceremonies in the Roanoke Valley are held inside.
For the last 29 years, Liberty High School has held its graduation ceremony at the football stadium. But this year, Liberty and the other two Bedford County High Schools are starting a new tradition - holding commencement outside the county. The school will be using the new the Liberty University Vines Center in Lynchburg.
Patrick Henry's graduation was once held on a field on campus. But for nearly 20 years, the school has bid its graduates farewell from the Roanoke Civic Center.
While an outdoor graduation sounds appealing, Martha Gravely, a guidance counselor who attended that last outdoor ceremony, was quick to explain why the school can't have the ceremony on campus anymore.
"Too many people . . . and bees galore."
McDearmon agreed, adding that comfort is another factor. Because graduations in this area take place in June, most spectators prefer a cooler, even air-conditioned place.
Of course, there is always the threat of rain.
"My class was the last to attempt to hold a graduation outside," said Jimmy Deck, a 1975 William Fleming graduate.
Unfortunately, that attempt was cut short when a tornado hit, recalled Deck, now a Fleming-Rufner art teacher.
Deck remembers looking up at the sky as it turned "a weird shade of green and gray. It was really kind of spooky."
Graduates, friends and families picked up their chairs and headed for the gym. "A lot of caps flew off," Deck said.
But several area schools still use their own grounds to make the experience a little more meaningful for the graduates.
Glenvar holds graduation in its football stadium, "surrounded by mountains in the twilight," said senior class sponsor Norma Moore.
Franklin County also holds it commencement ceremony outside at the Cy Dillon football stadium. In case of rain, the ceremony will move to the gym.
At North Cross, students accept their diplomas in the Carter Athletic Center.
Roanoke Catholic School holds its ceremony at St. Andrews Church, which sits atop the hill near the school. Principal Karen Mabry said that the church serves as a "culmination spot" for many of these students who have attended the school all their lives.
"The kids appreciate the significance of having graduation in the church," she said.
And because the graduating class is always small (there are 13 graduates this year), students walk up individually, receive a diploma, flip their tassels and return to their seats. Each graduate waits for the others to "enjoy a round of applause," said Mabry.
Despite the small size of the class, Mabry said, "St. Andrews is always packed. . . . It's standing room only." Former graduates, friends, family and members of the church community can all be seen in the audience.
Traditionally, one valedictorian gives a speech to the graduating class. This year, however, Cave Spring has 11 valedictorians. Two of them will speak to the class. Other valedictorians are welcome to share a few words if they wish.
At Fleming, not only does the valedictorian speak, but two additional students who audition for the part will be student speakers.
And speeches aren't the only form of expression at graduation. Another student will sing Mariah Carey's popular tune "Hero" at the ceremony.
Plenty of music is provided as part of Glenvar's graduation tradition. In keeping with the Scottish Highlander theme, the Virginia Highland Bagpipe and Drum Corps plays a variety of traditional Scottish tunes, including "42nd Highlanders" and "Scotland the Brave."
"Everybody cries," Moore said. "We're very proud of our ceremony. It's steeped in tradition."
Roanoke Catholic also features the music of a bagpiper. He leads the students on a last walk through the school buildings and then into the church.
Some believe that all graduation ceremonies are the same: "Pomp and Circumstance," speeches from exceptional students, camera flashes bouncing off auditorium walls. But each ceremony has something a little special that sets it apart from the others.
Bobbi Jo Carmer is a Patrick Henry graduating senior who uses a wheelchair. For the past year, a golden retriever named Gage has pulled Carmer's chair around campus and carried her books in a book bag he keeps around his neck.
At Principal Elizabeth Lee's suggestion, Gage will pull Carmer's chair across the stage at her graduation.
by CNB