The Judge's Blessing (boyxboy)

Graduation (End of 12th Grade)

Traditionally, Clifton Heights High School celebrated the graduation of its seniors at the beginning of the first week of June. This year, that Monday was greeted with ideal weather for the outdoor ceremony. At 10:00 AM, the school orchestra began to play Mouret's Rondeau, the signal to the assembled parents and that it was time to take their seats. Three minutes later, the school orchestra began Elgar's Pomp and Circumstances #1, indelibly etched in American culture as the graduation march theme.

In marched the graduating class of Clifton Heights High School. Cameras clicked as family members looked and craned with their necks to see if their graduate had yet appeared. There would soon be a sea of black gowns and caps at the front of the seating area. At that time, the principal, a member of the school board, and those teachers who deigned to show up would appear and take their places.

Mr Derringer, the principal, served was the Master of Ceremonies, and he started the ceremony with the introduction of the school board member. It was the school board member who would announced the authorization of the awarding of the diplomas. The salutatorian gave the opening comments for the ceremony, following which there was the recognition for the Teacher of the Year. This was followed by the recognition of any particular service rendered to the school—this year, though, there were no such persons. Then came the introduction of those sports  teams who had won any championships.

The football team, having won the all-county championship and placing 3rd in the all-state tournament, merited such mention. The names of each of the graduating football team members were called, and each stood for a moment of acknowledgment and then sat back down. The last to be named was the team captain, in this case, Asher--seated on the dais. When Asher rose at the calling of his name, first Chad, then Leon, followed by all of the other members of the team—graduating seniors and otherwise—did something unprecedented in the history of the high school's graduation ceremonies. They rose from their seats, removed the mortars from their heads, and stood for a moment silently in tribute to their captain, each with his eyes focused squarely on the dais. 

As Asher looked out at his teammates standing, astounded as he saw this  display of support and loyalty. He was unsure of just what to say or do. So he stood there bathed in the warmth of his teammates.  The audience looked around at the team now standing, with the mortars off the heads of the graduating players. People in the area had heard about the attempted "coup" against Asher as team captain simply because he was a gay teen, and word had circulated throughout the town about the team's loyalty to him. The team's performance in the tournaments put an end to any doubts about Coach's wisdom in not removing Asher as team captain. However, none were prepared for this show of respect, this tribute. They were, in a word, stunned--none more so than Alan Harris, Asher's father. It would be a long time before this show of brotherhood was forgotten. The team then broke into a cheer that continued for at least a minute. It might have continued for longer had Coach not risen from his seat and used a hand gesture for everyone to sit down. Someone handed Coach the championship trophy, and Coach and Asher held it up for all to see as a photographer took pictures.

Next in the schedule was the address from the valedictorian. Usually, that address was short and considered a send-off for the class. Then came the Commencement Address of someone honored at the graduation. This year, that address would be given by one of the County Councilmen. The address was short without much in the way of a theme with which to send the graduates out into life. By this time, the graduating seniors didn't much care. All they wanted was their diplomas, and that part of the ceremony would consume all of 20 minutes. After the diplomas had been awarded, Mr. Derringer congratulated the graduates and the ceremony was done.

After the ceremony had closed, Asher and Danny hugged and kissed and went to find their fathers and visited with their friends. For many of their classmates, it would be the last time they would see one another. Photos would be taken, tears of joy and of sorrow would be shed, some friendships concluded and others renewed. At the edge of the field were a series of tables with snacks and beverages. In the sweltering June heat, the latter would be quickly consumed. Danny indicated that several friends wanted to take pictures with him at the tennis courts and someone from the baseball team, on the diamond just beyond those courts. He would return as soon as he could.