By Emma Polzer

After much preparation, the day had finally come: graduation. From the Junior Escort point of view, I have seen what happens behind stage. Seeing Mrs. Tawzer put hours into making sure the microphones work correctly and all the speakers know their speeches to the T is something I never imagined happening.

Being a Junior Escort helped me to more understand everything that these people do for us. As the seniors graduated, everyone involved in the graduation process watched what they had been working toward finally happen.

The day before graduation was the only rehearsal before the actual event took place. That Thursday afternoon left both seniors and junior escorts feeling prepared and “ready for the real deal,” junior Kelly Yanagihara said.

The morning of graduation went by fast, along with the actual ceremony. Junior Escorts showed up to help get any last minute details taken care of, then the seniors came, dressed in cap and gown, ready to walk. After getting lined up, it was time to walk.

After the performers sang and speakers said their last words, names started being called and after each one was heard, there was someone in the crowd yelling for that person. When the ceremony came to an end, seniors tossed their caps in celebration and the crowd cheered.

Pictures and hugs took place immediately after the seniors exited the track. Everything that they had been working for had come to an end and they were finally done with high school.

Being a part of this year’s graduation gave me and all other escorts’ insight into what actually happens leading up to the big day. “It made me appreciate graduation way more,” junior Mary Mac Carlin says.