topic Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition in Community Chat

Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Mersha — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:24:30 GMT

My oldest grandson's high school graduation is in the books.

It was incredibly bittersweet watching him walk across the stage for the diploma. The memories of when he was younger came flooding back and brought tears.

In any event, it is a rite of passage for high school grads in my area to travel to Ocean City, MD the day after graduation for week long party time and festivities. (No, we really do not want to know what goes on).

My husband did it, then my son and now my grandson.

Did you do anything special or have a tradition you followed after high school or college graduation?

I recall going to a few parties after high school and heading out of state for a job after college.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

beach-mom — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:51:42 GMT

@Mersha - Congratulations! You must be so proud and happy!

When I graduated it was also a tradition to go to OC, MD after graduation. My parents and my best friend's parents wouldn't let us go. The two of us weren't happy. So I spent the night with her. She had a small balcony off her bedroom. After her parents went to bed we got into the wine cabinet, sat out on her balcony, and drank wine and talked all night!

We don't see each other much, but when we do it's just like yesterday. I wish we lived closer! We finally did get to OC together during the summer after our freshman year of college. Her boyfriend's parents had a condo there. Her boyfriend became her husband, and they still have the condo!

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:55:14 GMT

We had senior ditch day right before our high school graduation. Some went to what's referred to as The Dunes. It's a beach in with huge sand dunes all around. Others would go to another beach in Michigan. A group of girls in my class had a crash on the way home and one of them didn't make it.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Mersha — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:57:54 GMT

@beach-mom I am glad to you did make it to OC...even if a bit late.

Great memory sitting with your friend drinking wine and talking. Hopefully, neither of you were hung over the next day.

Back in those days, I spent some time with Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill wine...nothing but the best!

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Mz iMac — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 03:58:23 GMT

I had a graduation party in the basement complete w/the red & a few blue lights. Folks from Philly know what what I'm talking about!

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

beach-mom — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:01:59 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
@beach-mom I am glad to you did make it to OC...even if a bit late.

Great memory sitting with your friend drinking wine and talking. Hopefully, neither of you were hung over the next day.

Back in those days, I spent some time with Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill wine...nothing but the best!

@Mersha - Oh, we paid for our night of debauchery! LOL! Her parents didn't say anything, but they knew what happened. We were both so sick!

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

hckynutjohn — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:35:04 GMT

@Mersha wrote:
My oldest grandson's high school graduation is in the books.

It was incredibly bittersweet watching him walk across the stage for the diploma. The memories of when he was younger came flooding back and brought tears.

In any event, it is a rite of passage for high school grads in my area to travel to Ocean City, MD the day after graduation for week long party time and festivities. (No, we really do not want to know what goes on).

My husband did it, then my son and now my grandson.

*************************************************
Did you do anything special or have a tradition you followed after high school or college graduation?

I recall going to a few parties after high school and heading out of state for a job after college.

@Mersha

Never experienced any of the above, from Grade School or High School. Had to go to Summer School to graduate from my Catholic Grade School. After passing through that, I was sent a graduation certificate in the mail.

I quit high school twice and decided to join the United States Army where I earned my GED. No ceremony, just a certificate handed to me by my Platoon Sargent. No college, only "On the Job Training".

I had my rite of passage when I was earning enough money, at age 12, to help my mother and 2 older sisters, save enough money to move out of the Public Housing Projects. The money we put together got my mother into a real, stand alone house. That was enough celebration for me and my sisters, and more importantly, for my loving late mother. ♥️♥️♥️

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Desertdi — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 05:43:20 GMT

I went to an "all girls" private high school. After the graduation ceremony, we all went out on the baseball field.....and threw our uniforms onto a bonfire.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

on the bay — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 07:50:11 GMT

@Mersha We always had graduation parties at this park with a lake or a favorite restaurant with pretty views. We invited their friends family, favorite teachers and coaches-beautiful times.

I do not ever like the memories of the dreaded OC trip after graduation or spring break. Brave for parents to live through this.

I think if I felt this could have gotten a no you can't go I would have but I trusted my daughter (eldest) and also her good friends.

Though the scary things she told me afterwards that happened aiyiyi!

And somethings I wasn't told til many years later from all the kids. Most probably a good thing.

My son got a great party before he left for the army. That was his "graduation" and yes a GED before with high marks. Proud of them all and love them so much.

I think my children have always been my best friends since they were born.

Graduating high school is such a milestone and yes I know I'll be crying when the little people graduate no matter where I am.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Franell — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:09:30 GMT

Am I the only one who does not enjoy graduations? I didn't enjoy my own or my kids. The waiting around, the speeches, the heat. These are happy occasions but I guess I am not a person who enjoys ceremonies.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

on the bay — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:27:01 GMT

@Franell,

I don't even remember my highschool graduation and my college one I only went for my parents. Had no interest in going. I made a determination that I would never return!😄You are right-the heat, the waiting, the speeches😑

I did like all my children's-from kindergarten through college, army, every one.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

deepwaterdotter — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:43:02 GMT

My brothers and I were told that we would have to work for a steady paycheck and pay a percentage of it as rent as long as we lived at home. We all obliged, and it was a good lesson to prepare us for life on our own.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Love to Run — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:40:33 GMT

My friend and I received a trip to Hawaii for graduation. The drinking age was 18, and my friend took full advantage🤣 We had a blast!

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

beckyb1012 — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:58:36 GMT

I graduated in 1980 and our mall was built in 1975. They would close the mall on the night of my high school graduation each year for an all night party. It was a way to keep the kids off the streets and going to numerous parties and drinking. I did not attend, I did my usual outing and hit the clubs with my college age friends. Back then the drinking age was 18 so I went where the disco ball was turning and the bar was close at hand.

The mall remains but that tradition only lasted about 10 years.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

Puppy Lips — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:00:53 GMT

My class either did nothing, or I was so out of the loop that I was not invited.

My oldest went to a state park, I believe, as per tradition. We did not want him to go, but he had other ideas. I think there was an adult checking on them, or so we were told, lol.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

patbz — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:45:20 GMT

My son graduated from H.S. in Ridgecrest CA and they had great grad activities. They started with a bus trip to Disneyland ( 4 hrs each way!!!). Then they had a locked in Grad Night with all sorts of activities and non stop prize drawings of donated merchandise (grand prize was $1000). I don't remember anything special for H.S. or college but I did go to Ocean City for a week after sophomore year of college.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

on the bay — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:49:28 GMT

@beckyb1012,

That is pretty neat that they closed the mall. I bet that was fun for everyone. But I can see how you had better ideas

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:01:46 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
My brothers and I were told that we would have to work for a steady paycheck and pay a percentage of it as rent as long as we lived at home. We all obliged, and it was a good lesson to prepare us for life on our own.

@deepwaterdotter My parents did the same with us. It wasn't much, but it was a lesson in budgeting and being responsible to pay a bill at a set time. My dad also urged me to buy something small on an installment plan so I would establish a credit history for myself. That one happened when I was still in high school. I bought a Singer sewing machine and paid it off over six months. I still have it.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

beckyb1012 — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:11:34 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@deepwaterdotter wrote:
My brothers and I were told that we would have to work for a steady paycheck and pay a percentage of it as rent as long as we lived at home. We all obliged, and it was a good lesson to prepare us for life on our own.
@deepwaterdotter My parents did the same with us. It wasn't much, but it was a lesson in budgeting and being responsible to pay a bill at a set time. My dad also urged me to buy something small on an installment plan so I would establish a credit history for myself. That one happened when I was still in high school. I bought a Singer sewing machine and paid it off over six months. I still have it.

My mother told me I would have to pay rent when I turned 18 at Christmas my senior year of high school. I said I understand, but I paid the rent with two roommates and moved into my first apartment. I did not abuse the independence with sick days or going home early with "cramps" from school. I must admit I did love the look on the school secretary's face when she would say to me "I guess I cannot call a parent about this?" Over 18 and paying all the kinds of bills she herself was paying.

I worked 39 hours a week at JC Penny's my last year of high school with only three hours of class time needed to graduate. I always had time to dance on the weekends. Truly was a good lesson for making good decisions in life with finances.

Re: Rite Of Passage-Graduation Edition

chrystaltree — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 20:22:26 GMT

There were parties the weekend after graduation and we spent time at the beach. I don't think big expensive trips were the norm when I graduated. There was a class trip to the Bahamas when my girls graduated. No way in this world would I ever have allowed either of them to go! Too little supervision, too much drinking, too much hooking up.