Graduation, the end that’s a beginning

The end is near — the end of the school year, which brings the excitement of moving onward and upward for all, and the excitement of graduation for many.

The graduation ceremony is one of the few formal rites of passage in our society. It is a means by which we publicly acknowledge a student’s attainment of a certain level of education, and for a high school student his or her readiness to move on to an adult role in our society — either by going on to college or by joining the workforce. Graduation is not only the end of high school, it is also the end of childhood.

The pomp and circumstance as well as the clothing of a graduation ceremony are rooted in the distant past. In the Middle Ages, education was largely a church function and it was through the church that academic life became a guild. Teaching was the Guild of the Master of Arts (from which we derive today’s master of arts or MA degree) and the bachelor (the bachelor of arts degree today) was the apprentice of the master. The dress, gown, robe and cap were the outward signs of this privilege and responsibility. In 1932, the American Council on Education presented a code of academic costumes and ceremonies which was revised in 1959 and again in 1960.

The graduation gown has its origins in the 12th century. The basic gown was always black. Today, many high schools have matched school colors to the gowns. Red, gold, blue, brown or white, the color may depend on the school. Most colleges still adhere to tradition and use black gowns. Gowns of those being awarded advanced degrees may be trimmed in distinctive colors which usually correspond to the major. A doctorate degree would have three black velvet strips on the sleeves.

In Roman law, a freed slave won the privilege of wearing a cap. The cap became a symbol of academic freedom, responsibility, and dignity. Some believe that the square cap or mortarboard style symbolized a book and came from Oxford. An oversized beret style, or Cambridge cap, is worn only by those being awarded doctoral degrees.

The hood, which you won’t see too many of at high school graduations unless it is on the faculty, designates the highest academic achievement. The color of the trim denotes the discipline represented by the degree, and the color of the lining reflects the university’s colors.

As you can see, the graduation ceremony is definitely something old and something new. It is an ancient tradition that ushers your student to a new status in society, while honoring his or her accomplishments. And it indirectly honors you, the parents, for the role you’ve played in helping your student earn the right to wear that cap and gown.

Congratulations to all the graduating students of 2016 and their parents!

ROBERT FRANK is the executive director of the Hillside School and Learning Center in La Cañada. He holds a master’s of science degree in special education and has more than 40 years of teaching experience. His column appears on the last Thursday of each month. He can be reached at frank@hillsideforsuccess.org.