The following post was written by 21CCCS English teacher, Tony Herman. He has a lot to say about graduation! Read below to learn more.

Graduation.

Literally, it is a day when you put on a funny gown, get handed a piece of paper, and throw a cap into the air. Figuratively, it’s a day marking the end of one journey and the beginning of a new one. Emotionally, it’s a day on which you toss away the kid’s clothes and step into adulthood.

All the adverbs aside, the more I think about graduation and what it means for all of my seniors, the more important it becomes. Thinking back, I still remember shaking as I walked on the grass of my high school football field – all the parents waving, taking pictures – the more embarrassing ones with posters and blow-horns. I may have rolled my eyes at the time, but now I know how great that moment really was.

Graduation is all about you. Your accomplishments. Your journey. Your day. Own it.

Teaching at 21CCCS for the past three years and having a slew of graduates this year, I know what you’ve gone through. Some students have worked night shifts to get here. Some will reach for their diplomas with a baby in the other hand, having submitted assignments in lieu of sleeping. Still others will be the first in their family to go to college this fall. Everyone will have their story about how they got to this day. But graduation isn’t just another day. It’s a big deal.

On that day, we celebrate you: where you’ve come from, where you are, and, most importantly, where you’re going. We are so proud to share in the moment with you. We can’t wait to see you walk across the stage, and we’ll be cheering you on the whole way!

We’ll see you on Saturday, June 8th. For more details, be sure to check out our events page on the website at 21cccs.org.