Allow SVHS Grads to Decorate, Throw Their Caps? Parent Says ‘Yes’ (Letter to the Editor, Polls)

Note: Prior to the publication of this letter Saucon Source reached out to SVHS Principal Eric Kahler to request permission for his quote (which comes from private correspondence) to be used, which he granted. He also stated that almost invariably, several students throw their caps at the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, but he cautions against it because of the low ceiling height on stage and the risk of injury. ‘It’s not really a charged issue for me,’ he said. Regarding the decoration of graduation caps, Kahler said he hasn’t yet had time to consult with other administrators–including Saucon Valley Supt. Dr. Monica McHale-Small–for their input. However, he is ‘not 100 percent dead set’ against it, he said. His response, below, was based on his personal feelings about the issue, he said. Letters to the editor can be submitted via email to jo**@sa**********.com.

To the Editor:

I am the parent of a high school senior at Saucon Valley High School.

A packed SVHS auditorium was enthralled by the graduation video produced by Saucon Valley Class of 2015 co-salutatorians Allen Meadows and Kelsy Lysek. (Saucon Source File Photo)

We recently received a letter from the principal, Eric Kahler, outlining the expectations for graduation. The letter stated that the service will be “uplifting and dignified.” I was told that the students should not decorate their caps, as I have seen done at other graduation ceremonies, despite the fact that each student has to purchase their own cap. I was also told the kids would not be allowed to perform the traditional “cap toss” at this ceremony, either. I questioned the principal about this in an email:

“Can you please explain why the kids are not allowed to decorate their graduation caps (especially since we are paying for them)? I have been to several other graduations in the local area, and they allow the kids to do so with things like the logo of the university they will be attending, the logo of the branch of the service they will be entering or a cute saying. I don’t see anything wrong with this, and I think it allows the kids to express their individuality. Not to mention that it helps them find their own cap after they toss them–or will they not be allowed to do that either? I hope that the school will reconsider and allow this. Thank you.”

Mr. Kahler responded:

“Thank you for sharing your concerns and questions about the Commencement Exercises. This is a time for students to participate in a dignified, formal ceremony that commemorates their academic accomplishments. In my opinion, decorating the tops of their caps detracts from the formality of the ceremony. Permitting students to label their caps with the logo of the university they are attending makes those not attending a university feel slighted and left out. This should be a time that lifts students’ spirits, not one that makes them feel less significant. I always recommend that students do not throw their caps. This is an action that has potential to cause injury and harm to other students. In a previous Commencement with which I participated, a student was hit with the point of a cap just below her eye, and spent several hours that evening in the Emergency Room receiving medical treatment and stitches; this is not how I would like them to spend that evening. I will have further discussion with the other administrators to gather their input as well before a final decision is reached.”

My response to Mr. Kahler:

“First of all, the kids expressing themselves by decorating their caps does not make the ceremony any less ‘dignified’ or ‘formal.’ Those terms do not have to be synonymous with ‘boring.’ It is simply a way for them to express their individuality. As for the slighting’ of students who are not attending a university–exactly as I suspected. Political correctness run amok. You are so afraid of making a student who is not going to college feel ‘less significant,’ that you are not willing to let the ones who are celebrate it. I mentioned that some students at other schools put the logo of the branch of the service they were going into on theirs–other kids just decorated them. I am so sick of this ‘everybody is a winner’ mentality. Maybe some of the kids who are not going to college did not work as hard as the kids who are going to college, and quite frankly, do not deserve to go. Maybe they sat home and smoked weed every night and every weekend instead of studying. Maybe they did not want to go to college. But to spare their feelings, you are going to prevent my son from celebrating that he is going to college. As if my son having something on his cap (which I paid for, by the way) should have any impact on anyone else’s feelings in the first place. These kids are going to have to learn eventually that not everyone is a winner, and that sometimes other people are going to do better than they are. As for the throwing of the caps causing injury–another tradition that bows to our need to protect kids from every bump and scrape in life. Just like not letting kids can’t play tag at recess because someone might skin a knee. Graduation signals the entrance of these kids into the real world. If we try to protect them from everything, we are doing them a great disservice. It is unfortunate that occasionally, someone gets hurt. But that’s life. We deal with it and move on. These are the lessons they should be learning, both at home and at school. I know I am glad I am teaching my kids these things at home, because it certainly does not seem like they are going to learn them at school. At least not at Saucon. I can only hope that some of the other administrators are not so politically correct, but I will not hold my breath. This is academia these days.”

I am currently awaiting a final decision from the administrators, which is why I am writing this. I shared this on my own personal Facebook page, and got a lot of positive feedback, but Principal Kahler is probably completely unaware of it. I thought that if I sent this to Saucon Source he would probably see it and the comments of other parents as I am sure he reads it (and if he doesn’t, shame on him!).

Thank you.

Sharon McGrail Szabo

Saucon Valley

Editor’s Note: Do you have an opinion about how caps should be worn and whether they should be allowed to be thrown at Saucon’s graduation ceremony, which will be held Friday, June 10, 2016 in the high school auditorium? Please vote in the polls below to let your opinion be heard.

Note: Please vote in the poll using the form that appears in a widget (box) to the right of this story. Results will appear below.

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