Graduation Essay

6thGradeGraduation

My6thGradeGraduation

After6yearsinelementaryschool,itwasfinallytimetocelebrategraduatingfromelementary schoolItwasnotonlyahappytimegraduatingfromelementary,butalsoatthesametimenotafun thingtodo.Itwasthelastdayofschool,thebeginningofsummerbreak,andtheweatherwassunny andwarm.Everyoneinthemultiuseroomweregettingtheirbreakfastandeatingontableswith theirfriends.Iwassittingatatablewithmyfriends,eatingmybreakfast,sittingnexttomewasmy friendsEduard,Marcus,andErik.Whileeveryonewaseatingbreakfast,ourtwo6thgradeteachers werepresentingaslideshowofpicturesandeventsthathappenedthroughouttheyearsuchas picturesfromsciencecamp,picturesofworkingintheschoolgarden,picturesoffieldtrips,and otheractivitieswehavedonethroughouttheyear.

Afterourteacherswereshowmorecontent

Whenshewasdonewithherspeech,wehadsomefreetimetogoaroundandtalktoourfriends, takepictures,signyearbooks,andeatsomeofthegraduationcake.Iwassigningpeople'syearbooks andaskingpeopletosignmyyearbook,Igotmyyearbooksignedbyalotofmyfriendsandalso gotitsignedbymyteacher.Inmyyearbook,peoplewrotemostlythingsthatsaidgoodbyeandhave agreatsummerAfterthat,Isaidgoodbyetomyfriendsandwenthome,butbeforeeveryoneleft, myteachergaveeveryoneasmall,blueenvelopewithhernameonit.Whiletravelingbackhome,I openedtheenvelopeandfoundanaddress,nexttoitwaswritingthatsaidtosendherlettersofhow it'slikeinmiddleschool.WhenIgothome,therewasalreadyalotoffoodinthekitchenbecause myparentswerealreadysettingupmygraduation

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HighSchoolGraduationDay

Manypeoplehaveexperiencedtheoverwhelmingexcitementthatyoufeelasyouapproachhigh schoolgraduationday,andforme,that'sadaythatIwillneverforget.Theamountofemotionsthat youfeelongraduationdayisunbelievable,andIhaveyettoexperienceanythingelselikeitIcan rememberfeelinganxioustocelebratethebigdaywithmyfriendsandfamily,whileatthesame timeIwaspanickingthinkingabouthavingtowalkacrossthestageinfrontofthatmanypeople. Then,themoreIthoughtabouttherealityofgraduationday,Istartedtogetcurious,butnervous, aboutbeingabletostartanewchapterinmylifeoncegraduationdayhadpassed.Thereareseveral reasonswhyI,stillshowmorecontent

Astheendofthenightapproachedus,Icouldn'tstopthinkingabouthowmanymixedemotionsI hadaboutstartingawholenewchapterinmylife.Icouldn'twaittogotocollege,meetallnew people,getadegreesothatIcouldstartmycareerpath,butIknewthatmeantIhadtosaygoodbye tomytwobestfriends,whoweremovingseveralhoursawayfromme.Thiswasoneofthehardest thingsIhadeverhadtodoinmylife.Weallcriedalittle,andthenmadepromisestokeepintouch, andthenwewereoffintotherealworld!Iwasveryhappytobeatthispointinmylife,butIwas scareddeepdowninside.

WhenIlookbackonthisdaynow,IstillremembereverydetailasifitwasyesterdayIwasso proud,andhappytobeabletocelebratesuchanamazingdaywithallofmyfriendsandfamily.I knowIwillneverforgethowembarrassedIwaswalkingacrossthestageinfrontofallofthose people,feelingfamousaftertakingsomanypictures,makingourfinalmemoriestogetheratour graduationparties,andthenbeinganervouswreckwhenitwastimetogooutintotheworld withoutmybestfriendsatmyside.Highschoolgraduationdaywasaveryemotionaldayforme, butitwasbyfarthemostexcitingdayIhaveeverexperiencedinmy

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Students,faculty,family,friends,onthisexcitingday,Ispeaktooptimism,laughter,andgrins.

AsIwasgatheringinputforthisgraduationspeech,severalpeoplesuggestedincludingaprofound quoteoffering"encouragingadvicetotheyounggraduates",andthentherewereotherswhosaid, "ehdon'tworryaboutit,noonelistenstothoseanyway"Fortunately,Iwasactuallyabletotake frombothsuggestionsandfoundahappybalance.

Yousee,Iwon'ttellyoutodayto:"Daretodream"or"Findyourownvision"orevento"Strivefor excellence,"oranytriteclichéthat'severbeensaidinagraduationspeech.Sothismightnotbeyour typicalcommencement.Ihavenolistof"Do'sandDon'ts"foryou.Idon'thaveanyfunnyshow morecontent

Andwe'veallheardourparentssay"wetrustyou"followedbya"behomeby12oclock".

Lifeisonebigcontradictionandyou'lldriveyourselfcrazyifyoutrytofigureitout.Sodon't. Embraceit.Laughatitabit.Whateveryoudo,don'ttakeittooseriously.Thosearesomeofthe waysIhavemadeitthroughthesepastfouryearsatMcNeil.

Yousee,thebiggestcontradictionIhavenoticedsofaristhestressthatisputonthebigthingsin lifewhenitisreallyallthelittlethingsscatteredinbetweenwhenIfindI'mmosthappy.It'sthose seeminglyinsignificant,randompiecesoftimethathavekeptmegoingthroughoutthecrazies thrownatusasandtheykeepmelaughing,smiling,andmovingonWhetherit'splayingHaloand focusingongettingthatnextrunningriot,chattingandprofile–snoopingonAIM,orhearinga pointlessstorytoldfromafriend––it'sthoselittlemomentsofcarefreesmilingthatIfeelget overlooked.

WithAPclasses,nationalhonorthis,mualphathat,drumpracticehere,yearbookdeadlinethere, flagtwirlingup,singingvoicescomingdown,andbellsringringingallinbetween,it'snowonder westudentshavebeenrushingthroughthemotionsofourritualistichighschoollives.Bythetime wemakeithome,createtimefordinner,tossawavetotheparents,andstartourhomework,the daysbegintoblurintonightsandbeforeyouknowittheregoesthegrossalarmremindingyouitis time

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Essayon"Graduation"byMayaAngelou

RacialsegregationwasverydominantintheUnitedStatesinthemidnineteenhundreds.Thisisthe timethatMayaAngelouwasgraduatingfromtheeighthgradeinStampsArkansas.Thethemeof racialsegregationiswellshownbythehowdifferenttheschoolsoftheAfrican–Americanswas comparedtothatofwhitesintheessay"Graduation"byMayaAngelouIntheessaytheAngelou pointsoutthatLafayetteCountyTrainingSchooldidn'thavealawn,hedges,tenniscourt,climbing ivyaswellasafencethethingthewhitehighschoolhad.Ineverystageoflife,graduationmarks theadvancementtothenextdifferentphaseoflifeandisusuallyacknowledgedbysomeceremonies relatingtothegrowth...showmorecontent...

Bycomparingtheblackandwhiteschools,itisseenthatthewhiteschoolsshowthatwhite educationwasluxuriousandthesystemofthegovernmentwasunjusttoeveryone.Theauthor pointsoutthatblackchildrencontinuedtothecollegesthattrainedthemtobecarpenters,farmers, handymen,masons,maids,cooks,andbabynurseswhichwasnotthecaseforthegraduatingwhite children.

Aliteraryelementoftonehasbeenwidelyemployedbytheauthortopasshermessageacrossas wellasdescribeherexperiencesofthegraduationceremonyinthemidnineteenhundreds.Thetone isshiftedtwiceintheessaytodescribethemoodsineverypartoftheessay.Ithasalsobeenusedto describehowpeopleinthegraduationreactedtothedifferenteventsduringthegraduation ceremonyinStamps.Angeloustartstheessaywithaveryhappyandexcitedtoneshownbythe sheeranticipationofthegraduationceremonybyeveryoneintheblackcommunity.Shewritesthat "ThechildreninStampstrembledvisiblywithanticipationSomeadultswereexcitedtoo,buttobe certain,thewholeyoungpopulationhadcomedownwithgraduationepidemic"(124).Thisimplies thatAngelouandherclassmateswereverythrilledthattheywerefinallygraduatingandwere anxioustoexploitwhatotherpossibilitieslifewouldbringtothem.

Theexcitementandhappymoodthatwason

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"Whatarewegoingtodo!Whataboutmygraduation?"Linzrepeatsfranticallyoverandover,as thedauntingrealityslowlysatin.Ourlivesdailyroutinekeptrepeatingdayinanddayout,we'd keptdelayingthesolution,thatwouldmakeourcarstopthesilentscreamstogetourattention.I wonderedonthatstressfulday,whenwerewetoolatetojustgiveinandfinallylistentotheclear indicatorsthecarmanufacturesputinplacetoalertdriverswhentheirautomobileswereinneeded ofrepair.Ourprocrastinationlandedusinthesituationwefoundourself'sonthatwintermorning. Mid2011,LinzandIgotmarried,aswellasaddedtoourcountofchildrenwhenIgavebirthto twins!ThestressofhavingafamilyofsixwasslowlystartingtoshowWewereaccustomedto takingcareofoureight/five–year–oldchildrenwhousethebathroomwithoutassistance, nevertheless,theycoulddothingsontheirown.Nowwehadthesenewtwinbabieswhorequireda lotofattentionthatwasmainlyatnight,aswellasdoublethediaper,babyclothes,andfood.We quicklyarrivedtotherealizationthatweHADtodomore,pickingupextrahoursatworkwasnot enoughWedecidedwe'dbothattendcollegeLinzcameintothemarriagewithhisownvehicle;a Black4door,2003ChevyCavalier,hecalledit"TheBatmobile"neverthelessitwasinpristine condition.Ourlivesbecamebusierwiththedecisionforustoattendtoschool.Mileswere accumulatingonthecarasmoretrips

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HighSchoolGraduationEssay

Graduation

Throughoutlifepeoplegothroughsomanyhardships.Whetheritbegoodorbadthereisalways somethingthatcomesoutofthesituation.Oneofthemostexcitingbutyetscariesteventswouldbe graduationForalotofpeople,graduatingfromhighschoolisagoalIttakesalotoftimeandeffort toachievethatgoal.Inthelongrun,itopensalotofopportunitiesforpeopletosucceed.Graduation istheendofhighschool,andthebeginningtolife.Icanalmostrememberthatdaylikeitwas yesterday,IawokelikeonanyotherschooldayItwasagorgeousMaymorning,theraysofsun flitteredthroughmyminiblindsblindingmeasifIhadn'tseenlightindays.Isluggishlydraggedmy limpbodyoutofshowmorecontent

OnceIwasfinished,Igatheredupmycapandgownandmycarkeysandheadedoutthedoor.All thegraduateshadtomeetinthehighschoollibraryanhourbeforetheceremoniesstarted,andI promisedoneofmybestfriendsTonythatwewouldgotogetherIknockedonhisbackdoorandlet myselfinlikeIalwaysdo.Allofhisfamilymemberswererunningthroughoutthehousetryingto getready.IaskedhismomwhereTonywasandsheproceededtotellmethathewasinthe bathroomgettingready.Itappedonthedoorandwalkedin.Hewasstandinginfrontofthemirror withhiscapandgownon.Helookmestraightintheeyesandsaid,"Canyoubelievethatweare abouttograduate?"Ireplied,"No,itreallyhasn'tsetinyet"Tonyfinishedgettingready,andthen weleftforthehighschool.Theparkinglotwasfilledwithalltheotherseniors'cars.TonyandI walkedintothelibrarytenminuteslatelikeusual,andtheprincipalhadalreadystartedgiving instructionsIfoundmyplaceinlineandthenwasallearsIcouldn'thelpbutlookaroundatallthe others.Smileswereplasteredontheirfacesasiftheyhadheardahilariousjoke.Oncetheprincipal concludedhisspeech,thewholeseniorclassparadeddownthehallwaytothecommonsintwo uniformlinesstoppingjustoutsidethegymnasiumdoors.Wecouldhearthebandwarmingupand playingsongs.Allthepeoplethatwerestandingaroundmewerebubbling

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T.S.Eliotoncewrote,"Whatwecallthebeginningisoftentheend.Andtomakeanendistomake abeginning.Theendiswherewestartfrom."Everylandmarkinourliveswillendbutthereis alwaysabeginningtoanend.Aseachnewpathendsanewonebegins.Graduationmarkstheend ofapathbutasitendsanewpathbegins.

Lifeisanadventure.Westartedoutbywalkingonawindingpathasweenteredthedestinationof kindergarten.Asourlivesventuredondownthewindingpath,wemetnewfriendsandnewlife experiencesalongthewayAsthepathwidens,weseeourselvesonacountryroadWestarted elementaryschoolandweconstantlygainednewknowledgetohelpusprogressinourjourney.As wecontinuedalonginourshowmorecontent

Asthepavedpathmerged,wefoundourselvesnolongerwalking,butdrivingincarsonthe highwayinhighschool.Lifestartedtogetmorechallengingandthingsstartedtomoveatafaster paceInthispartofourliveswegottochoosewhichwaywewantedtogo,leftorrightWefound hardshipsupthesteephillsandwemighthavestoppedatmanyintersections.However,wealways proceededwiththeflowoftrafficnomatterwhatobstaclegetsinourway,wealwaysmanagedto getthroughit.Asourlivestraveledonthehighway,wesawotherstakedifferentroadsalongour journey,butwealwaysfoundourselveschoosingtokeepwithourcommitmentofcontinuing.We allhadtomakepitstopsalongthewaythroughhomeworkandprojects,butitfueledustoget strongerandhelpedusgainknowledgetomakeitupthosesteephillsandintersections.Finally, whengraduationcomes,thehighwayendsandmergestoanewbeginningasweleaveourmemories inthepastinourrearviewmirrorMilesandmilesofopportunitiesawaitusHowever,eachoneof ushasadifferentgoalorrouteinlife,andeachofuswillfinddifferentexitsalongthewaytofulfill ourdream.Someofuswilltaketheexpresslanesandcontinueoureducationthroughcollege.Some ofusmightfollowthefreewaynotknowingwherefatewilltakeus.Lifeisn'talwayseasyonthe freeway.Someofusmightgetstuckintrafficjams.Some

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Monday,May16th,graduationday.It's5:37inthemorningandIrememberthiscauseIneverwake upearlierthan8unlessIhaveto,buttodayIdidn'thaveto.It'sthedayculminatingtwelveyearsof hardworkanddedicationintoathreehourceremonyinwhichIwillactuallyhavetodosomething withmylifeotherthanaroutineIbelieveI'veperfectedthroughouttheselastfouryears.Irollover andpickupmyphone,adimlightcomesthroughaslitinmywindowshadesjusttoremindmehow earlyitactuallyis.Ican'tfallbackasleepsoIdecidetogetoutofbed.Isituponmybedrubbing myeyestryingtomakesenseoftheroomaroundme,Imayhavelivedherefor18yearsbutIcan neverfindthecordtomyceilinglightIshowmorecontent

Ihoweverheadtowardthelightthatisjustcrestingthehorizon.Icontinuewalkingnotpaying attentiontowhereI'mgoing,I'vewalkeditsomanytimesthatitjustcomesnaturally.Ifinallygetto whereI'mgoing,alittlepondonlyafewminutesawayfrommyhouse.AsIgrabmylighterfrom myleftpocketandmyorangeflavoredSwisherSweetfrommyright,Icannothelpbutthinkofmy friendsandhowmuchIwillmissthemIleanontherailingasIlightitandwatchthesmokeblend inwithearlymorningmistrisingfromthewateronlyafootorso.IkeepthinkingabouteveryoneI knowandhowallofmylifeisabouttostartchanging.Ihearlittlesplashesfromfishcatchingthe bugsunluckyenoughtohavefalleninthewater.ThosebugslivesarecompletelyoverandIthink minecouldendupthatwaytoo.Ifeelthewarmthofthefirestartwarmingmyfingertellingmyit's doneIflickthelastbitoutintothewaterandIhearasmallsplashItellmyself,"It'sokaytomove on".I'mbackathomeinmyshower,I'vealwaysratherenjoyedshowers.I'veneverlikedtherainor waterorsnow.Butsomethingaboutfeelingwatercascadedownyourbody,warmingyouupasit goesreallygetsmeIlistenasthesong"LastNight"byG–EazyftKylestartsitsslowbuildupI've alwayslikedtolistentomusic,whetheritbethebeatandinstrumentalsofasong,orthemeaningof thelyrics,I'vealwayshadanappreciationformusic.There'ssomethingaboutthis

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Hello,goodmorningandwelcometograduationfortheclassof2012.Ihavewaitedtohearthose wordsfor5years–andbythelooksonallofmyfellowgraduatesfaces,Iamnotalone.Thinkwith meforaminuteabouttheprocesswehavegonethroughwhichhasgatheredusheretodayOur storiesofthesepastyearsarenotmuchdifferent.Whetheryouwenttoacommunitycollege, transferredherefromanotherfour–yearschoolorstartedyourfreshmanyearinthedormsnearthe entranceofthiscampus,wearefinallyfinishingtogether

MybrotheraskedmehowIwasabletofinishcollege.ItoldhimitisbecauseIenjoylearningandI alwaysfinish.NomatterifIunplugmycomputerandloseallmywork,Istayupuntilshowmore content...

ShehadnoideashewasmoldingageographerIcanrememberlearningaboutThanksgivingby makingaTurkeydinneroutofplaydoughformyGIJoefiguresandlearninghowtoreadby wearingthepagesofmyBernsteinBearsbooks..Mymomevencreatedacoreclasswhenshe introducedmybrotherandItogerbilsItstartedoutasasexualreproductionchapterbutafterabout amonthitbecameamathclassjusttryingtokeepupwithhowmanynewgerbilswereinthecage.

Whenitcametimetogointopublicschool,Itestedintothethirdgradebutwasgiventheoptionto gointosecondtobewithmyagegroup.IcanremembermymomaskingmewhatgradeIwantedto gointoandIfeltsogrownupandsmarttosay'givemethethirdgrade'Ican'timaginethefeeling mymomhadleavingthereknowinghersonwasgoingintothethirdgradeaftertheyearsshespent teachingme.Cheerstoyoumom.YoulitthefireandhandedmethefanandhereIam.

Publicschoolwasadifficulttransitionforme.Aftermyteacherheardhewasgettingakidwhom hadcomefromahomeschoolsetting,heenvisionedaHelenKellertypeandsatmewithstudents thatwereofsimilarstandards.KidsarecruelandIthinktheywereespeciallycruelattheelementary schoolIwenttobecauseIwasteasedabouteverythingtheycouldcomeupwith.Ichangedmy namefromRichardtoRichthatyearforobviousreasonsandhadtoexcept

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MyGraduationAGraduationceremonyisoneofthemajorstepsinlife,itmarksthestartofnew changesinourlives.Itushersusintogrowingupandberesponsibleforouractions.Itmarksanew dawnofembracinglifeexperiences,cultivationofgoodworkethicsandeventuallyculminatesin chasingourdreams.Onmygraduationday,Iwokeuptothesweetaromaofthebreakfastmysister wasmakingIsatdowntoeatwhenthefoodwasreadyIttookmeabout2hourstofinishbathingI woremyAfricanclothes(itwasaslimwaisttop,withacurvyskirtsewwithAfricancloth).AfterI wasdonewearingmyclothesmysistertriedseveralwaysofstylingmyscarfsomycapcouldfiton myheadIhadonverybigbraidsSothetaskwasnearlyimpossiblebutshefiguredoutawayto makeitlookverysimpleyetstylish.Isatdowntowearmyshoes,Ilookedatmyphoneandsaid. "Omgguysamgoingtobelateifwedon'tleavethisinstant."Nobodyreplied.Iwenttocheckon mysisterandshewasputtingonherlipsticklikewehadallthetimeintheworld.AllofasuddenI startingthinking,whatifamlate,Iwouldn'tbeabletoparticipateintheceremony.Igotscaredmy heartstartedracingreallyfastIwasinmyownthoughtswhenallofasudden,Iheardmybrother say."timetogo".Ismiled,andsighedIwasreallyrelieved.Onourwaytoschoolmysisterwas playingmyfavoriteAfricansongs(hiphop).Iwasusuallythetypethatsings

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Formostpeopletheirgraduationdayisoneofthebestdaysoftheirlives.Nomorehighschool,and forsomeitmeansthattheyarenowabletomoveoutontheirownandembarkontheindependent journeyofcollege.Inmycasemygraduationdaystartedouttobeagreatdaybutturnedouttobe oneoftheworst.ItisalmostasifIwishIneverhadaceremony.Iftherewasn'tgraduation ceremonytherewouldn'thavebeenanaccidentOnJune13,2011,Iwokeupahappyandexcited 17yearoldforitwasmygraduationdayandthatmeantnomorehighschool,nomorenagging teachers,andnomoredrama.ImetmyfriendsandmyboyfriendAndrewintheschoolparkinglot andawaywewenttopracticegraduationAfterwehadpracticedshowmorecontent

AfterwehadwalkedoutandtookourseatsIcouldn'thelpbuttostareattheemptyseatnexttome andwonderwherehewasat.Icalledhishousebutnoonepickedup.Aftercallingarepeated amountoftimeshisfriendRyanwasabletogetthroughtohisparents.HisparentshadtoldRyan thattherewasanaccidentandafterwegraduatetheywilltelluswhereAndrewisat.Assoonas Ryangotoffthephonehetoldmenottoworryandthatheprobablybrokehislegorsomethingand thathewasinahospitalsomewhereandthatwewillknowwhereafterwegetourdiplomas.Aftera coupleofspeechesandafewdiplomaslateritwasalmostmyrow'sturntowalkacrossthestageand claimourdiplomas.RightbeforeweweretostandupandwalktowardthestageIgottheworst newsofmylife.IgotacallfromAndrewsfranticolderbrother.HeaskedifIhadwalkedyetItold himnoanddemandedtoknowwhereAndrewwasAfterafewminutesofheavybreathsIheardthe words,"Jenn,Andrews....Andrewsdead."Thewordsechoedinmyears.Idroppedmyphoneand justsatthere.Icouldn'tmove,speakorevencry,Ijustsatthereandstared.AfterafewminutesI guessyoucouldsayithitmeThetearscamerollingoffmyfaceAdvisorsandschoolemployees' rantome

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MyCareerPlanAfterGraduationEssay

MyCareerPlanafterGraduation:HowtomanagemyProfessionalandHolisticLifestyle.Idecided topursueacareerinnursingbecause,thereisplentyofscarcityinthefieldandIfeellikeIcan makeadifference.Iplantofocusmostofmycareinbothacuteandchronicsetting.Iwillfocusmy careerplanonthefirstandfifthyeartimeframe.IwillalsotouchupondifferentmethodIwilluse toilluminatemygameplanwhenIdofinishmyBachelorinNursingMyTransitiontoProfessional NursingRoleProfessionalnursingpractitionerstravelalongpathtobecomeexpertsintheirfield. AdmissionrequirementsintotheBSNprogramvaryfromuniversitytouniversitybutretainbasic similaritiesUniversitiesandCollegesdemandthattheprospectivestudentpassesinEnglish composition,lifesciences,physicalsciences,Mathematics,humanities,social,andbehavioral sciences.Uponmyadmission,toChamberlainCollegeofNursingittookmeabouttwoandhalf yearsofstudytocompletemypre–requisites.Typically,thecoursecomprisesstudiesinphysiology, humananatomy,nursingcare,nursingpharmacology,illnessmanagementandmentalhealthnursing asthefoundationunitsSupportunitsincluderesearchmethods,leadershipandmanagement(of healthservices),criticalthinking,decision–makingandprofessionaldevelopment.CriteriaforRNin FloridaBSNgraduatesapplyforregistrationtotheFloridaBoardofNursing(BON).ThestateBON istheregulatorand

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SteppinguponasimplestagewasthebestthingIcouldhaveeverdone.Overseeingthemultitude thatwastheretowitnessmyeveryword,everytremble,everyemotion,andeveryheartbeat,was thenthatIrealizedthatthesentimentwasreal.ItwasessentiallytheendoftimeandIcouldnotbear toholdbackwhatInointentionsofdoing.Cry.TearsofjoydarteddownmyfaceasIwalkedacross thestageandreceivedmyultimategiftWithfancyinscription,mygiftwasentitled"Classof2009" Ihadjustgraduated."Okseniors,everyonesettledownandtakeyourseatwithyournameonit". Theprincipleconductedeveryoneaswepreparedtogetreadyforourpracticegraduationwalk.

Amusementandvolumesuffocatedthegymasshowmorecontent IcouldsensethestaresglaringuponmeasIswitchedpositionseverysecondinmychair.Two hourswastedoutofmylifebeforetheoratorcalledmyname.Withashamblewalk,insensiblearms, andatiltedheadIdeliberatedmyselfacrossthefrontofthegymandoutthedoor.Oneofmy classmatesranoutthedoorandpastmewithgleeassuringmethatshewouldseemeonMonday, thedayofourgraduationSaturdayandSundaywentbyfastVowingthatGodhadcutoffatleast twelvehoursoffmyweekend,Mondaymorningarrived.Ihadtobeatthecoliseumatninea.m.I wokeupateightthirtyonthedot.WithnoessentialworriesandnotacareintheworldwhatI lookedlike,Imerelyjumpedoutofbedandputmygraduationdress,cap,andgownon.Insix minutesflatIwasreadytogo.ImadeitoutmyroomandpastthemirrorwallrightbeforeIwas abouttoleaveLookingatmyselfIknewIlookedunacceptable,butmymindcouldnotleadmeto care.RightbeforeIcouldmakeitoutthedoormymomventedherwordsofrefutation."Wheredo youthinkyouaregoing?Youdidnotbothertobrushyourhair,washyourfacenortakeashower." Thinkingquickly,Imanagedtousetimeasmyexcuseandscamperedoutthedoortoavoidany morequestions.WhenIarrivedatthecoliseum,IwasquiteconfusedconsideringIdidnotlistening toanythingtheprincipalhadstatedatpracticegraduation

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Well,thisisit,thedayallofushavebeenwaitingforhasfinallyarrived.Itseemslikeonly yesterdaywewerepickingournosesandflickingthematinnocentbystandersoryellingchildish phraseslike,"Liar,liar,pantsonfire!"or,wait,thatwasyesterday.Nevermind.Anyways.

WhatI'mtryingtosayistheyears,haveflownbyandit'snotgoingtobelongbeforewe'reinthe standswatchingourkidsgraduate.

Youknow,thereisalotmoretograduatingthanleavingRufusandgettingadiplomaIt'smorethan that.Imean,whydoyouthinkwegettowearthesecoolrobes?

Ourinfantiledaysofwanderingintofirstperiodhalfasleepandlivingofftheschool'scheesy burritosandranchdressingareover,it'stimenow...showmorecontent...

Weareknockingonthedooroftotalindependence,somethingwehaveneverfullyunderstoodWe havejustbarelybegunthetripontherollercoasteroflifeandalreadyitseemslikewe'vehadquitea ride.Someofuswillgoontocollege,somewillenterintotheworkforce,andmostofusarestill undecided.Butwhicheverpathwetake,itwon'tbeeasyandbelieveme,ayearortwofromnow you'regonnawishyouwerebackatgoodoldLHSbecausetheterm"9to5"isgoingtotakeona wholenewmeaning,andI'lltellyourightnowitain'tgonnabeprettyfolks

Ourgraduationisourcomingofage,ourrightofpassage.Aswewalkacrossthisstageweare writingtheclosingpagestoourChapterIandheadingintothegreatunknownIt'skindascary––buthey,don'tyoucry,eventhoughhighschoolisover,thetimeswe'vesharedandthefriendswe've madewillneverbelost.Theclockisticking,timeisfleetingandnobodylivesforever.Buttrue friendshipissomethingwecancountonneverdying.Ihopewhereverwegoinlifeitwillbehappy andevenifweallmovetoremoteislandcountrieswecanallcountonthememoriesandlaughatall thestupidthingswedid

Sototheclassof06',I'dliketosaythanksforthememoriesandgoodluck.You'regonnaneedit.

Nowonbehalfofallofusgraduatingseniors,I'dliketothankalloftheparentsforallofthe ...Getmorecontent...

Mygraduationpartyconsistedofdeliciousfood,aswellasgreatfun.Itwasawarmsunnysummer day.Ihadjustgraduatedfromhighschool,somyfamilyandfriendswantedtocelebratemy achievementwithme.Myparentsbookedmypartyataplacenottoofarfrommyhome.My parents,mylittlebrother,andIloadedthecarwithavarietyoffood.Afterweloadedthecar,we tookoffformyparty'slocationOncewepulledintotheparkinglotofthebuildingIdashedintothe buildingwitharmsfullofpotsthatmymom'spulledchickenfilled,relishtray,chipsanddip,and thebeautifulbakerycake.MyGrandmaMatthiaswasthenextonetoarriveatmygraduationparty withherhomemadeloadedmacaronisalad,andchocolatecoveredstrawberriesThenextpeopleto arriveatmygraduationpartywasmyGrandmaKathywhobroughtmyGrandpaTerry,andmy brotherAustin,aswellasbringingmeatballs,cookies,homemadelemonade,andicedtea.My GrandmaBradwasthelastpersontoarriveatmygraduationparty,andshebroughtmycousin Ethan,mycousinJack,andmyAuntJen,aswellasbringingherfamoussausageandpotatoes,and beansAfterawhile,itwastimeforustoeattheamazingfoodthateveryonemadeIwasvery happywhenitwastimetoeatbecauseofthepleasantaromathatbuiltupinthebuildingfromallthe food.ImadesuretotryabitofeverythingexceptthebeansbecauseIdon'treallycareforbeans. ThefirstthingItriedwasmymom'spulled

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GapYear

Manyhighschoolgraduatesdecidetotakeayearofffromschool,whichhasbeenagrowingtrend inthepastfewyearsintheUnitedStates.Soundslikeagreatidearightwhowouldn'twanttotakea gapyear?Althoughitcanbebeneficialtosomestudents,takingitforthewrongreasonscanreally haveanegativeimpact,doingitbecausetheywanttohavefunanddon'tfeellikedealingwith schoolanymore.Theindividualswhodoitforreasonslikethisaremorelikelytonevergobackto schoolandfinishadegree.Studentsshouldavoidtakingagapyearasitdiminishesscholarship opportunities,academicskillsareforgotten,anddistractsthemfromtheiracademicpathbylife Duringthelastyearofhighschooliswhenstudentshavethemostscholarshipopportunitiesand shouldtakeadvantageofthisbecauseit'sfreemoneyforstudentswhowanttopursueahigher education.Afterhighschoolthereisnotverymanyscholarshipofferstocollegestudentsasthereis forhighschoolseniors.Thesescholarshipscanmakeadifferencewhethertheindividualwantsto graduatedebtfreefromcollegeorpayoffcollegetuitionforthenextfewyearsScholarshipslike theGatesMillenniumpaysallofthestudentscollegeeducation,sotheycanjustfocusontheir studiesandnothavetoworryaboutpayingofftuitionbecauseithasalreadybeenpaidfor.When studentsdecidetotakeagapyeartheyletthesechancesslipaway,soit'simportanttoapplyearly for

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Graduationisanexcitingtimeinaperson'slife,especiallyahighschoolgraduation.WhenIthinkof familyandfriendsgatheringtogethertocelebrateajoyousoccasion,IfeelIaccomplishedmy strongestgoal.Itneveroccurredtomethatgraduationwouldbetheendofmyyouthandthestartof adulthood.Graduatingfromhighschoolwasaninfluentialeventthatgavemeanalteredoutlookon myexistenceLifebeforegraduation,preparingforgraduationday,andcommencementday overwhelmedmeforreality.

Lifebeforegraduationwasastruggleforme.Ilivedinahomethatseemedtobringmenothingbut painandangerIwatchedsomeoneclosetomedielittlebylittleeverydayIdidnotliveanormal childhoodbecauseIwasa...showmorecontent...

Iwasworkingharderthanevertofinishhighschoolearlyandithadreallypaidoff.Ipreparedand preparedbutitwasn'tenoughtomysurprise.

Graduationwasnotthatfarawayandactualitywasabouttostrikemelikealightningboltinthe butt

Themostsignificantpracticeoftheyearapproachedusseniors.Thestaffputusintogroupstokeep alltheseniorsinorder.Weallweredividedintosectionsandlabeledafterlettersandnumbers.Soon after,alltheseniorclassenteredtheauditoriuminanorderlyfashion.Thepracticehadusrecall memoriesofourfreshmentosenioryears.Isawavideothatshowedpicturesofmyyouthtoa youngadultIbegintothinkofthepastandhowmuchfunIhadgrowingupIalsothoughtabout howIwouldneverseesomeofmyfriendsagain.Aftersometime,thestaffwantedustopractice walkingacrossthestage.Ididnotquiteunderstandwhyweneededtodothis;Ifiguredtheywanted ustoseehowfastourlifewouldflashinfrontofoureyesAtlast,practicewasoverandIwasable togopickupmycapandgown.Duringthistime,Ithoughtaboutthenextdayandhowitwouldbe theendofanotherchapterinmyyears.

GraduationdayarrivedandIhadbutterfliesoutofthisworld.ItseemedasifImisplaced everything.Icouldnotfindmydress.Myfamilycamefromonestatetoanother.Ifinallygottothe churchwerethecommencementwasgoingtobeheldI

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Dearadministrators,teachers,parents,belovedfriends,ladiesandgentlemen,welcometothe8th gradegraduation.It'sapleasuretobestandinginfrontofyoutodayonthisbeautifuldaytoexpress thehappinessweallfeel.DuringourthreeyearsatCupertinoMiddle,welearnedalot.Notjust aboutquadraticequationsandthesolarsystem,butalsoaboutfriendship,kindness,andcourage.We workedhard,hadfun,andwentoutofourcomfortzoneseverydayWhonewthatwewouldsurvive therollercoasterrideofmiddleschoolandbeheregettingourdiplomas.Butwedid.Nowweare goingtohighschool,hopingwecanchangetheworldforthebetter.Usingtheskillsandformulas welearned,wejustmightbeabletomakeadifference

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GraduationEpidemic

Myhighschoolgraduationwasoneofthesaddestmomentsofmylife.AlthoughIwasexcited aboutgraduating,IdidnotknowwhatIwasgoingtodowiththerestofmylife.InMayaAngelou's "Graduation,"AngelouwasexcitedandproudofallthatshehadaccomplishedInFlannery O'Connor's"ALateEncounterWiththeEnemy,"SallyPokerSashwasproudthatshewasfinally graduatingandjustwantedtoshowthatofftoallthe"upstarts".Inthetworeadingsthepupilsare contrastinginafewdifferentareas,andacoupleofthoseareasareinprideandfeelingsthattheir familieshavebeinginvolvedinthegraduation.Inbothofthereadingsthepupilshaveagreatsense ofpride;howevertheprideisinshowmorecontent

ObviouslySashhasnotworkedveryhardanddoesnotevencarethatsheisgraduatingwitha degree,allthatsheisproudofisthatshegetstoshowitoff.

Inbothstoriesthemaincharactershavefamilyinvolvedintheirgraduations,buttheyareinvolved forentirelydifferentreasons.Angelou'smotherisproudandexcitedofherdaughter'sgraduation.

Toshowthisshegetsstartedrightawayonherbutter–yellowpiquedressthatallthegirlsare wearingforgraduation.AlsoonthedayofgraduationhermothermakesaSundaybreakfasteven thoughitwasonlyFriday.Anotherthing,herbrotherBaileywasalsoveryhappyforhissister.We gettoseehishappinessforherwhenhegivesheraboxthatiswrappedinChristmaspaperBailey hadsavedhismoneyformonthstobeabletobuyAngelouasoft–leatherboundcopyofacollection ofpoemsbyEdgarAllenPoe.Incontrast,theonlypersonthatSashhasishergrandfatherGeneral Sash"TheGeneraldidnotgivetwoslapsforhergraduation"AlsotheGeneralwouldnothave evengonetothegraduationifMissSashhadnotpromisedthathewouldgettositonstage. Anytime,anyplacethattheGeneralcansitonstage,heisthere.Soitwasnotevenaboutsupport,it wasabouthisselfishreasonsjustasmuchasitwasSally's.Inconcluding,everygraduationis different.Thefeelingsthatpeoplehaveandthewaythatthefamiliesareinvolvedareusually differentfor ...Getmorecontent...

BrendanMoxleyMrs.BartonAPEnglishLang&Comp7October2014GraduationOPRInan excerptfromhernovelIKnowWhytheCagedBirdSingscalled"Graduation,"MayaAngelou narratestheanticipationsurroundinggraduationinhersmalltownofStamps,Alabama.Angelou effectivelycontrivesnoteworthydifferencesbetweenparagraphs1through5and6through10 throughtheuseofemotionalanddescriptivediction,powerfullyboldcomparisons,andashiftin perspectiveinordertoinstillprideanddignityinAngelouandherracedespitetheera'shighlighted socialinjusticeswhichsheendures.Angelouemploysemotionalanddescriptivedictioninorderto createadignifiedtone,toillustratethesetting,andtoemphasizetheprominentshowmore content...

Angeloubeginstheexcerptnarratingthe"graduationepidemic"surroundingthetowninthethird person.Startingwithparagraph6,Angeloushiftstoafirst–personnarrative,whichprovidesan informativeinsightintoherpersonalexperiencesregardinghergraduation.Thisshiftinperspective marksimportantstylisticdifferences:initiallyAngeloufocusesonconveyingtheexperiencesofthe classasawhole,whereasafterparagraph6shefocusesonherownexperiences,throughwhich severalcontrastscanbedrawn.Rhetorically,thesecontrastssignifythatidenticalrhetorical strategieswillhavecompletelydifferentconnotations.Forexample,Angelou'sclassmateswhose "future[s]rodeheavilyontheirshoulders,"emulatenotAngelou,as"youthandsocialapproval alliedthemselveswith[her]and[she]trammeledmemoriesofslightsandinsults"Withouttheshift inperspective,nocontrastscouldbedrawnbetweenparagraphs1through5and6through