As the testing season begins to come to a close, there enters a new period — the preparation for graduation. Preparations have already begun with less than two weeks of school remaining. After uncertainties over tentative graduation dates with pomp and circumstance, it was finally time for the class of 2021 to pick up their caps and gowns.
Seniors drove in through MLEC’s designated bus loop. As many other events have taken place this year, the collection of caps and gowns was through a drive through pick-up.
They signed papers to recognize their satisfied financial obligations and rented their cap and gowns for the upcoming graduation ceremony. Seniors were initially told to schedule an appointment before arriving on school grounds — while a few had made their rounds without it.
“I personally didn’t set up an appointment, I just showed up,” says Hermes Falcon, a student in the Journalism strand.
Falcon had attempted to set an appointment multiple times to go pick up their cap and gown. No reserves were available. They eventually decided to arrive on campus with fellow senior, Christopher Montes de Oca.
“[The drive-thru pick-up] was really straightforward and streamlined,” Montes comments.
Graduation attire followed alongside a few other items. Students picked up their yearbooks at the bus loop and received school-custom yard signs in celebration of their senior year. This collection of items served as a reminder that the Class of 2021 would be leaving for college, university, and better things in the near future.
“I’ve been looking forward to graduating ever since before highschool to be honest,” says Falcon. “College has always been the dream for me, and I’m finally here.”
For Montes, this experience has opened a door for deeper emotions about graduation and moving on from high school. Receiving the cap and gown, he said he felt “like a fraud.” Even so, seniors who share this sentiment stay resilient, pushing themselves until the end of the school year has come.
“I’m extremely anxious and I don’t feel like I’m ready to give college and the real world a shot yet,” said Montes.
“But are you ever truly ‘ready’ for anything?”
