I attended the Stewart County High School Commencement 2021 Exercises and thought it was a perfect night and a perfect graduation. I posted a little story titled, “SCHS has perfect graduation” and then I posted a story that told a bit about the ceremony, named names of speakers and added a few photos.
The backlash was wild! There were folks taking issue with the fact there had been no National Anthem or Prayer. No national anthem and no prayer and yet I had said it was ‘Perfect.’ It provoked an interesting debate inside my own psyche.
We all see and experience things in similar ways, but we are all very different. I think this debate over the anthem and prayer at graduation is a good one.
I asked Mike Craig, director of Stewart County schools why there had been no anthem or prayer. He said they had done graduation as always and nothing was different. No school led prayer and no national anthem. Although Craig said he had slipped in a blessing at the end of his speech and he does not care if the politicallycorrectiods (my word not his) come after him.
Craig said he was not opposed to having the national anthem played at graduation, if that is what everyone wants. So tell your school board members your feelings.
I said there was prayer at the graduation because I was praying for my niece and the other graduates, and I was. I am a pretty patriotic person, but I don’t wear my patriotism around like an Uncle Sam suit. However, if someone else feels differently then that is their right. And for the record I went back and there is no ‘Moment of Silence’ listed on the program.
No one seems to remember the National Anthem having ever been played at a graduation and perhaps that is a tradition we need to start. Those who want that should inform your school board members.
For prayer and faith, I do see Jesus everywhere and I do talk to him often .. and I try to listen to him, but I know I fail in that regard at times.
To me the graduation was perfect as it was. There were no drunks or loudmouths around me, my niece did not fall down, it was not crowded, the speeches were short and interesting, I got to see my niece graduate. as I said in my story.
I thought it was perfect. But as it was pointed out as a Very true and legitimate comment on my story, “Nothing is perfect.”
And that is true.
I take my faith and my patriotism seriously. And I do not question the faith and/or patriotism of others. We all follow and show our faith and patriotism in different ways. That is the American Way, in my opinion.
I can see the different sides on this interesting debate.
What do you think? Please comment below and have a great day!
Stewart County High School Class of 2021 Holds PERFECT Graduation!
