Rural graduations bring smiles
June 2025
by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
It’s June, which I like to think of as Rural Celebration Month.
This month is traditionally associated with weddings and graduations. There’s much to celebrate, many gifts and cards to buy, plenty of cake to eat, and lots of dancing.
I’ve reached the age where weddings are pretty much off my radar now. But I can’t forget the days when I had to acquire ghastly bridesmaid dresses for one-time use. (Only once did I ever get to wear one twice.) At least, misery loves company, and I wasn’t the only girl in an orange gown with puffy sleeves and — heaven forbid — a peplum.
Graduations are now the only celebrations on my June calendar. And there aren’t too many of those anymore, either. Nowadays, they are usually the graduations of the grandchildren of folks I knew in high school or college. But as a small-town newspaper reporter and photographer, I love attending graduations at our local rural high school. Although I have never had children, I can live vicariously for a while and cheer with everyone else.
I take more photos at graduations than at any other event. I like to capture groups of friends straightening each other’s caps, laughing and goofing about before the ceremony. Since the stage is so dark, I have difficulty taking good photos with my small camera. But I try. I aim to capture the obligatory photo of the grads spraying Silly String around the stage and onto their teachers and principal.
Afterward, I race out of the auditorium ahead of most everyone, because that is where the “magic” happens. Buddies and girlfriends hug and cheer with joy, while parents, siblings and grandparents try to join in the fun. I capture the very best photos after the ceremony. I see them in the newspaper later that week, and I know they’re something that will be clipped out and saved for posterity. That makes me smile.
One oddball thing I also enjoy about graduation is that the girls wear fabulous heels or, maybe, glittery sneakers. Meanwhile, many of the boys don boots that you know they wear around the farm every day, perhaps usually paired with faded blue jeans. They clomp or mince across the stage, providing glimpses into their personalities.
Our lovely auditorium has around 800 seats. They are never close to being filled, except during graduation. Then, I swear, there are people standing along the ends of the aisles against the wall. The place is packed.
Most folks bring the whole family: babes in bunting, toddlers and active small children — they’re all there, audibly wondering what is going on. It’s a happy free-for-all.
Here’s the best thing about graduation at our rural high school: Years ago, the graduating class decided against having guest speakers. As you probably know, graduation speakers can tend to ramble on and on. Instead, the school now has the valedictorian and salutatorian give their own personal speeches, which are often quite amusing and encouraging.
Then, diplomas are handed out, Silly String is sprayed, and with much pomp and circumstance, the grads leave the auditorium to start their new lives. It’s positively inspirational!
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