Graduation season is a time of joy and celebration, as demonstrated by the happy tears, the unforgettable applause, beautiful smiles and the inspiring speeches at ceremonies throughout the state. As educators and policymakers, board members beam with pride and happiness as we participate in these annual events. Some lucky board trustees even have the distinct honor of presenting their own children with their high school diploma, and the overwhelming sense of love and blissful pride is echoed throughout the audiences of supporters and loved ones.

The tradition of graduation can be traced back to medieval times and continues to serve the core purpose of preparing students for the next stage of life while honoring their achievements.

As we celebrate this joyful season of graduation and promotion, it’s important to pause and reflect on the “why” of marking this milestone. Graduation is crucial in honoring the completion of academic endeavors and achievements, personal growth and nurturing self-esteem. The ceremonies act as rites of passage that validate hard work, mark significant developmental milestones and prepare students for future challenges. They also provide a satisfying closure to a chapter of life while opening new doors to the next level of engagement — postsecondary education or career.

Among the many reasons to celebrate students at graduation ceremonies are:

• To validate their efforts of hard work and achievement, indicating that the student has met the necessary criteria to advance.
• To signify new beginnings that end one chapter and start a new, more independent phase. The ceremony allows graduates to reflect on their journey and families to show pride for their student’s success.
• To build self-confidence — formally recognizing accomplishments boosts a students’ confidence and motivates them to take on further educational challenges.
• To cultivate gratitude and community — these events are opportunities to honor the “village” of teachers, family and friends who supported the graduate along their journey.

As we celebrate graduation season and the accomplishments of our students, let us be mindful of why these events are so important. Board members should use this time of celebration as motivation to continue the work of assuring that every student successfully achieves this milestone. This means ensuring a clear vision of purpose, high-quality educational program and alignment to the resources necessary to celebrate every student.