Photo Story Graduation on Maui

John Araki · 05-23-2011, 05:16 PM

We had our rounds of high school graduations this weekend. My niece Tiffany graduated and her grandmom came from New England and cousins from Tennessee. Apparently, Hawaii graduations exhibit less decorum than those on the continent. There ends up a lot of screaming, signs, airhorns....as most things Hawaii, an event is a thinly-veiled excuse to party.

Seniors sit in the middle of the football field. Maui High School had 400 grads this year.

Without fanfare, but with traditional cap and gown, grads enter the field (missed this one)

As luck (or bad planning) would have it, Tiff ended up way across from where we were sitting.

But that girl always had the eye to spot her peeps. Found us in no time (amongst thousands in the bleachers)

The ceremony starts off pleasant enough: guest speakers, valedictorian, etc. Polite clapping from the grads.

Then there's the part where the grads sing a class song or two.

As enthused as they should be, standing on their chairs to sing is a no-no (bad Tiff)

but it does make for good photo opportunities when your family is way the heck on the other side of the field.

It's probably a good idea to sit when everyone else has. In the end, security started walking toward her, I was sure they were going to escort her out - the narc photog with the on-field pass got a shot of Tiff just-in-case...

Last edited by John Araki; 05-23-2011 at 05:34 PM.

John Araki · 05-23-2011, 05:25 PM

Then its the time all grads are there for, the ceremonious handing over of the fake diploma.

It's important to remember the weight of the moment.

And how serious an achievement it is....geez, flip-flops, Tiff?

And smile for the camera

And then pimp walk to your seat as your partner boogies.

John Araki · 05-23-2011, 05:32 PM

Families make elaborate/photoshop signage so as to herd their graduate to them - a few members sneak out before the ceremony ends in order to stake their spot in the holding pen.

And then when you get into the holding pen (fire hazard), you see just how necessary those signs are....

....because you probably won't notice your grad once you find her.

Proud Papa - eighteen years and this is the reward.

**Just1MoreDave** · 05-25-2011, 02:12 PM

I thought this was a great story.

I always wondered if there was a limit to the number of leis allowed on one person, but I guess not.

05-23-2011, 05:16 PM	#1
John Araki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Makawao, HI Photos: Gallery Posts: 195	Graduation on Maui We had our rounds of high school graduations this weekend. My niece Tiffany graduated and her grandmom came from New England and cousins from Tennessee. Apparently, Hawaii graduations exhibit less decorum than those on the continent. There ends up a lot of screaming, signs, airhorns....as most things Hawaii, an event is a thinly-veiled excuse to party. Seniors sit in the middle of the football field. Maui High School had 400 grads this year. Without fanfare, but with traditional cap and gown, grads enter the field (missed this one) As luck (or bad planning) would have it, Tiff ended up way across from where we were sitting. But that girl always had the eye to spot her peeps. Found us in no time (amongst thousands in the bleachers) The ceremony starts off pleasant enough: guest speakers, valedictorian, etc. Polite clapping from the grads. Then there's the part where the grads sing a class song or two. As enthused as they should be, standing on their chairs to sing is a no-no (bad Tiff) but it does make for good photo opportunities when your family is way the heck on the other side of the field. It's probably a good idea to sit when everyone else has. In the end, security started walking toward her, I was sure they were going to escort her out - the narc photog with the on-field pass got a shot of Tiff just-in-case... Last edited by John Araki; 05-23-2011 at 05:34 PM.

05-23-2011, 05:25 PM	#2
John Araki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Makawao, HI Photos: Gallery Posts: 195 Original Poster	Then its the time all grads are there for, the ceremonious handing over of the fake diploma. It's important to remember the weight of the moment. And how serious an achievement it is....geez, flip-flops, Tiff? And smile for the camera And then pimp walk to your seat as your partner boogies. Last edited by John Araki; 05-23-2011 at 05:35 PM.

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05-23-2011, 05:32 PM	#3
John Araki Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Makawao, HI Photos: Gallery Posts: 195 Original Poster	Families make elaborate/photoshop signage so as to herd their graduate to them - a few members sneak out before the ceremony ends in order to stake their spot in the holding pen. And then when you get into the holding pen (fire hazard), you see just how necessary those signs are.... ....because you probably won't notice your grad once you find her. Proud Papa - eighteen years and this is the reward.

05-25-2011, 02:12 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I thought this was a great story. I always wondered if there was a limit to the number of leis allowed on one person, but I guess not.