City schools and colleges are buzzing with festivities. No it isn’t the stretched celebrations for the New Years.
Valedictory function popularly known as ‘Graduation Day’ is being celebrated across the city. Jain College, Carmel High School, The East West School, Bishop Cotton School and Women’s College, St Joseph’s European School and Mallya Aditi International School just finished their celebrations.
While others like Kumaran’s College, New Cambridge School, Royal Concorde School, Yelahanka and a few others are gearing up for the big day.
It is the much-awaited day in the life of a teenager — When young girls and boys are stepping into adulthood and are celebrating the culmination of their school and pre-university life. But another important aspect of the day is when these children dress like young adults for the first time.
“I never had a suit till my graduation day. So the first thought that struck me when the date was announced was about dressing up like my dad,” says second year PU student, Kiran Vasishta, Jain College. While for many girls, it is the first time that they will be walking in a saree.
“It was a big deal for me. The happiest moment of being with my girl gang, dressed up and walking the isle in a saree wouldn’t ever happen again,” says Sanjana Gururaj, a second year PU student Jain College. “It is the worst day emotionally because we realise that we will no longer see our classmates every day,” says Shweta Mohan Kumar, 2nd year science student, Kumaran’s College.
While for their parents, their kid is now a big girl or a boy. “I had seen her in frocks and shorts. But today my baby is no longer a school kid. Seeing her graduate from school to college is a big moment,” says Sabiha Hafeez, a homemaker. It isn’t just another day for the children, their parents and the institutions. It is a big day for all of them.
“We started preparing a month in advance. The ninth standard students had to put up a cultural programme that included western dance, Indian dance and a group music performance. To accommodate their practice session, we had created a “zero hour” by reducing their class timings,” says Veni R, principal, The East West School.
Even the cultural team of students put in a lot of effort. “We had auditions to select juniors for the cultural programme. So it took a lot of preparation and staying back after class hours,” says Nischay Bhargava, a 2nd year student and secretary of the cultural team, Jain College.
Best dressed!
Though it is an emotional moment as these teens are all set to leave their alma mater, it is also a day when they want to look their best.
“Our group of girls started planning our wardrobe in December. So first we went hunting for gorgeous sarees. When we found something nice, we would click pictures and send it to all other friends through our cellphones to get their approval. Then once the sarees were finalised we shopped for matching bangles, earrings and shoes on Commercial street, Brigade road and MG road,” says Surabhi Kowthalam, 2nd year science student, Kumaran’s.
Not just the girls even the guys shopped seriously for the ‘big day’. “I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to buy a new suit. But when I saw the girls in my class getting their outfits ready, I decided to seriously shop. That’s when I took both my parents and bought a `10,000 suit,” says Nischay Bhargava, 2nd year PU student, Jain college.
But some institutions advice students not to spend extravagantly on graduation ceremonies.
“For youngsters it is the culmination of their school life. Each one of them wants to stand out on this special day. They know everybody is watching them and appreciation boosts their ego. But we try to advice and counsel them. We tell them that they need to set a trend of simplicity for their juniors to follow,” says Jayashree Satish, principal, New Cambridge School.
Culmination of sorts
The parents play a major role as they excitedly shop with their children for this big day.
“The entire family planned the shopping for my son. We prepared for two months. We spent a lot of time during the trials for our son’s suit. Then finally when we saw him in his suit, it was a fantastic feeling. But I have told him, now that we have fulfilled all his wishes, he needs to fulfill our dreams by scoring very good marks. That will be his gift to us,” says Kavita Venugopal, parent.
The code of ceremonies
While most institutions follow a set format for the ceremony, many have come up with their themes.
“Our theme was Chisel Your Destiny. After the lighting up of the lamp, our earlier photographs were shown on a big screen. These were pictures taken all through our school years to our present day,” says Aakarsh S, a 10th standard student from Carmel High school. Others were entertained by their juniors.
“For once, I wasn't on stage and could sit back and relax. My juniors who put up a fab show,” adds Sanjana.
