Hodge Podges and Honor Cords
By Susan McQ

As our family attended my daughter Adriane’s graduation from LHS Sunday, I couldn’t help but compare her graduation with that of my son James’ graduation the prior Sunday from DePauw University. While Lancaster High School allowed only the members of the National Honor Society to wear their cords with their gowns, other students who would have liked to have worn medallions or cords that reflected their accomplishments were not allowed, because, in the words of the administration, they did not want a “hodge podge”. It seems a shame that the administration stressed “conformity” over the individual accomplishment and pride of each student. As it was explained to me, only the National Honor Society was given that honor, because it was the only “honor” that all students were potentially able to attain. I feel that the fact that some of the students gave more and did more than that which necessary to graduate should have been recognized.

I fail to see how allowing each student to wear pins or medallions or cords that they were awarded or earned from school sanctioned activities would have disrupted graduation. Instead, it would have celebrated the fact that each student had accomplished something “extra”, something that was important to that student, that graduation was a celebration of both class achievement and individual accomplishment. Instead, those students were made to feel that their accomplishments were somehow less important. Yes, I know the students were allowed to wear their medallions or cords under the gown, but that still sends the message that their accomplishments were somehow less important. I hope the students and the parents of the class of 2006 suggest to the school administration that graduation recognizes and reflects the achievements of all the students. As our nation and our city grow more diverse, it seems sad that LHS stresses “conformity”. Lancaster High failed, however to achieve the conformity they wished for on the field, as there was no conformity of attire to either the orchestra, nor to the two young ladies who led the graduating seniors onto the field.

The graduation at DePauw, however, celebrated both the class achievement and the individual accomplishment. Several colors of gowns were used for the various schools awarding the degrees, and the students wore a multitude of cords (23 different cords), some students wearing more than one cord, and scarves reflecting achievement in various fields or membership in various activities. Even the whimsical was allowed, as one of my son’s fellow graduates pasted a stuffed tiger, (the DePauw mascot) to his cap. Lancaster High School, however, managed to ban the beach ball. [Interjection: This piece is really indicative of the megalomania that the Lancaster High elite – principals and school board members – swaddle themselves with. In what is a direct parallel to the Kids in the Hall character, who goes mad with eir own “small amount of power”, they decided to staunch this explosion of accolades. This goes in the face of the achievement and celebratory nature of commencement and really shows that those currently in control of Lancaster High school decidedly feel that their job is to break individual’s souls and spit them out roughly the second they leave schools. Conformity, as Susan McQ says, is stressed by LHS, and it is really no surprise when a lack of success comes from any more recent generation of graduates.]