Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell

lhr lowtU. May 2. 198c
PROFILES.
super seniorosity
What's behind that
graduation ceremony?
-'.•y.'..
By Benjamin Let
hoon all Ih
"The op has < flat lop to honor all the lima we bubui our
agaiiut the dooii of Ivy League schools with no results."
Is that how we got ihe cap and gown?
Freshmen might Kill willow Lee's story even nfter almost two
semettei here, bul xnion wilh (bur years of struggle tucked undet
their bcltt do wonder about the true oripiu of their graduation
coc**mwcs
They might not realize it, but Ihe earliest predoxssor of Ihe high
school graduate was the Catholic monk of the Dink Ages. Church
official* were ihe only literate people of Ami era.
The Catholic Church established monasteries to train would-be
priests. The priests who ought at these early schools wore heavy,
dark gowns frfWf* the school buildings in which they worked and
lived were very cold. The gown became the clergy's traditional
wear, with varying degrees of color and elaboration to denote rank
in the Church hierarchy.
Universities which evolved from the monast.-ries of the Middle
Ages adopted Ihe gown as Ihtir graduation costume. The cap was
also pan of the costume, for it too came fiwn the monastery of
the Middle Ages.
The tradition of the cap and gown quickly I $\ A •>all Ihe universities.
And, of course, it was adopted by hi;" .-..•...Is, which put
their school colors on the gown. Thus we iuv.. iv- red gown for
graduation ceremony.
Traditionally, the gowns were nude of silk or wool. At Lowell,
however S6 disposable gowns arc now used.
Tile tassel originated from the same lime |icriod as the cap and
gown. It was attached to the drawstrings of tht: op worn by priests.
The more lasMls a prit*! had. Ihe higher lie was ranked in Ihe
Church.
Today the usscl is kept for its symbolic value. The "tasstl turning"
(when the entire graduating class switches the tassel from one
side of the cap to the other) symbolizes a tncsition to a higher level
of education.
Not everything is strictly traditional •*! Lcucll. Conventions arc
sometimes broken for necessity.
Graduation speeches, for example, were usually presented by top
stvdents of Ihe class. However, this would nave mcanl dozens of
speakers, all wilh 4JO GfVs, at a Lowell graduation. Instead.
Lowcllitcs wishing hi speak must pass an audition to be selected.
Another innovation is having the registry teacher coll out names
and hand out dipiomu. Theoretically, in this way one's name won't
be mispronounced.
Diploma in hand, one shakes hands with [he principal. Dr. Alan
Fibish. The handshake a thr formal congratulations offered for having
completed high schcol education. You may now call Lowell
High School your alma mater.
Wow you can either throw away your So graduation gown or keep
it to show your grandchildren.
Traditional senior
escapades return
By Glgl Katz
What exactly U it that makes senior year so special?
To assist the ignorant. The tar/I has compiled a list
of the ten "most memorable" senior traditions...
Boat Dance Tkkrt Lint: mid-October, all night. Prerequisites:
scouting 101 A. Supplies Needed: sleeping
bag, lawn chair, radio, TV. food, lantern, board
games. No-Doi. Optional: lent, portable phone,
homework, barbeque pit. toilet paper, battery-operated
sun lamp. Popular social event which focuses on the
development of skills associated wilh Maying up all
night, roof-dancing, and moonlight tent-pitching.
Pizza Night: late November. Prereq: Baseball 110 for
peppcroni pitching contest. Basic fundamentals of pizza
art: scarfing and pillaging.
Panoramic Picture: dale varies. Gathering of entire
class fur group picture. Exercises creativity in students
desiring attention. Suggested techniques: blond hair.
Stcond Semester Setf-Schcduling Day: Sometime
during Ihe first semester. Ojcn only to seniors who
have written and mailed all college applications.
Seniors sign into non-exbting. irftequcntly meeting,
blocks of time occasionally mistaken for classes. Suggested
schedule: art, ceramics, leadership, public
speaking, individual study, library aids.
Move-Up Day Rally: late May. early June. Participation
in a ritual symbolizing escalation of student rank.
Sniors march in. generally wearing graduation caps
and gowns, pajamas, shower caps, bathing suits, etc.
Seniors exil; remaining students in bleachers "moveup"
to their left. Juniors sit in the senior section, and
so forth.
StruorSneaJt: date known only losenbrs. Mandatory
non-attendance. Application of delinquent skills.
Strong emphasis on developing elusive talents.
Senior Picnic: late May. early June. Prcreq:
Grapefruit diet, base tan. Sharpens skills in tanning,
swimming, and Marco Polo. Supplies: sunscreen, sun.
sunglasses, bikini, courage. Beach Boys tape, waterproof
mascara, water wings.
Senior Prank: rituals usually accompanied by
ridiculously inane titles. Evidence strongly indicates
this event to be Blackwdt's best bet for finding his ten
wont dresses. In-depth stud) ofpcrsottl interactions.
Grad Night: grad night. Frr.eq: grad day. Independent
Study.
\jn.