Graduation

Her high school’s graduation ceremony was known to be one of the longest in the state, if not the country. It was a sort of pride for the inhabitants of her town, if not for the students.

Maxim Trevelyan
Writer, Ravenclaw

“Carter, Miranda,” Sherry tapped her foot impatiently as she watched her classmate take her diploma and a certification of excellence from the Drama Club. She rolled her eyes and fiddled with the tassel of her graduation cap.

“I think I’ll die of boredom,” Sherry’s friend, Amanda, whispered in her ear. Sherry coughed to mask her giggles and elbowed Amanda. She did agree with her friend. Her high school’s graduation ceremony was known to be one of the longest in the state, if not the country. It was a sort of pride for the inhabitants of her town, if not for the students.

With the faint "Lowe, Kaitlyn" in the background, Sherry asked Amanda. “What are the plans for later? Party at Mickey’s?” Amanda nodded as an answer and barely managed to conceal a yawn.

“Gosh, this is boring,” Sherry shrugged and leaned closer to Amanda. “This ceremony is a time honored tradition,” she parroted the principal, shushing Amanda as her friend started to snigger. “There’ll be no lollygagging during the ceremony, everyone and everything will have its place and it will be timed to perfection,” Sherry could not continue anymore as she, Amanda and other students around them started giggling.

“…udents and parents, please join me in welcoming to the stage, the Valedictorian of Springston Valley High, Sherry MacTaggert!” Sherry stood up, accompanied with loud applause and a couple of wolf-whistles from her closer friends. She slowly took the stage next to Principal Majores, thanking him when he handed her the microphone.

“Now,” Sherry said into the microphone and swept her eyes across the hall. “You know I’m not the one for tradition and ceremonies, so there won’t be a boring Valedictorian speech which will make you fall asleep after a minute. I’ll sing it instead.”

The auditorium erupted in cheers as music started flowing through the speakers, much to the staff’s chagrin.