Anonymous
05/02/2025 07:46
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Yes, our school has all of this. We do not do every single thing but the most grating to me are bed parties and huge graduation parties. It all creates so much expense and envy for the kids. We’re going to just have a family dinner but yes, just the awards and end of year events are a lot.
Anonymous
05/02/2025 07:39
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Anonymous wrote:Let me introduce you to kindergarten graduations
And the OTT college graduations
Anonymous
05/02/2025 06:53
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Anonymous wrote:It’s for TikTok and instagram. I was a 2009 high school graduate and I don’t remember anyone doing anything huge. Even college graduation just came with a nice dinner in 2013.
I was a 1997 graduate and my rural high school did all of those things, minus the yard signs. Like a PP mentioned, for some kids this is the only graduation ceremony they'll have and it is a big deal.
Anonymous
05/02/2025 05:04
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Not where we live. It's a stepping stone to college. I used to laugh at schools that had a sixth grade graduation. What is that about?
Anonymous
05/02/2025 04:56
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
It’s for TikTok and instagram. I was a 2009 high school graduate and I don’t remember anyone doing anything huge. Even college graduation just came with a nice dinner in 2013.
Anonymous
05/02/2025 02:50
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Anonymous wrote:It’s the last hurrah, OP. It’s a whirlwind, but you’re at the finish line. I won’t tell you “you’re going to miss this” but I don’t believe in that sort of toxic positivity, but yeah, this is it.
+1
Plus one day you WILL look back on all of this & be nostalgic about everything….
Especially since this is your only child.
I promise you. ✨
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:30
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
It’s social media. Everything is a big deal now.
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:22
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
I think it is up to you how much you do.
My daughter is a senior at a fcps high school. While many of the things you mention are options, she isn’t doing the majority of the stuff you mention.
She had senior night for her sport, prom, an award ceremony upcoming, senior walk at elementary school and graduation.
We didn’t buy an ad in the year book. She isn’t having a grad party. We didn’t buy any of the signs. The majority of this stuff is optional.
My daughter is a senior at a fcps high school. While many of the things you mention are options, she isn’t doing the majority of the stuff you mention.
She had senior night for her sport, prom, an award ceremony upcoming, senior walk at elementary school and graduation.
We didn’t buy an ad in the year book. She isn’t having a grad party. We didn’t buy any of the signs. The majority of this stuff is optional.
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:17
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My only child is graduating this year. It’s been soooo much to keep up with in terms of senior celebration stuff. Multiple awards ceremonies, multiple picture submissions (baby/current), senior yearbook ads, senior letters, senior pics, senior walks, walks at the middle and elementary schools, senior week, senior shirts, senior yard signs and nhood signs. Grad announcements, invites and thank you notes. Parties. $$$$ Plus the baccalaureate (what’s the point??) and graduation ceremony itself.
Even my kid is over it at this point and is just ready to be done and move on to the next phase of life (college!). Mentally we are over the senior stuff.
Do other countries make a big deal out of high school graduations like this, or is this another overdone US tradition (and money grab)?
You know not every graduate is college-bound, right? To many, this really is the last big deal for a while
+1
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:14
Subject: Re:When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Don't do what you don't want to do.
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:12
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Anonymous wrote:My only child is graduating this year. It’s been soooo much to keep up with in terms of senior celebration stuff. Multiple awards ceremonies, multiple picture submissions (baby/current), senior yearbook ads, senior letters, senior pics, senior walks, walks at the middle and elementary schools, senior week, senior shirts, senior yard signs and nhood signs. Grad announcements, invites and thank you notes. Parties. $$$$ Plus the baccalaureate (what’s the point??) and graduation ceremony itself.
Even my kid is over it at this point and is just ready to be done and move on to the next phase of life (college!). Mentally we are over the senior stuff.
Do other countries make a big deal out of high school graduations like this, or is this another overdone US tradition (and money grab)?
You know not every graduate is college-bound, right? To many, this really is the last big deal for a while
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:11
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
Let me introduce you to kindergarten graduations 
Anonymous
05/01/2025 21:10
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
ACPS
Anonymous
05/01/2025 20:59
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
It’s the last hurrah, OP. It’s a whirlwind, but you’re at the finish line. I won’t tell you “you’re going to miss this” but I don’t believe in that sort of toxic positivity, but yeah, this is it.
Anonymous
05/01/2025 20:36
Subject: When did High School Graduations become such a big deal?
My only child is graduating this year. It’s been soooo much to keep up with in terms of senior celebration stuff. Multiple awards ceremonies, multiple picture submissions (baby/current), senior yearbook ads, senior letters, senior pics, senior walks, walks at the middle and elementary schools, senior week, senior shirts, senior yard signs and nhood signs. Grad announcements, invites and thank you notes. Parties. $$$$ Plus the baccalaureate (what’s the point??) and graduation ceremony itself.
Even my kid is over it at this point and is just ready to be done and move on to the next phase of life (college!). Mentally we are over the senior stuff.
Do other countries make a big deal out of high school graduations like this, or is this another overdone US tradition (and money grab)?
Even my kid is over it at this point and is just ready to be done and move on to the next phase of life (college!). Mentally we are over the senior stuff.
Do other countries make a big deal out of high school graduations like this, or is this another overdone US tradition (and money grab)?