Significance

What is the significance of moving the tassel on your graduation cap from the right to the left in high school? You watch the ceremony, they've all got them on, they walk the stage and quick slide it to the other side.

I remember doing it. I have no idea why though.

So I Wiki'd it. I'm of a curious nature, this we know. I don't want to gossip, I just want to know.

The graduation cap is also called a mortarboard, P.S. Reason? It looks like the tool used by bricklayers to carry the mortar. Interesting.

However, pertaining to the meaning behind transitioning from right to left with the tassel? Nada. Wikipedia has let me down. Which, sidenote, was part of the Valedictorian's speech on Friday for my cousin's graduation. We laughed. I say we...we being the nerds in the crowd.

The tassel is simply moved to represent the graduate becoming, well, a graduate. Nothing more. What a bummer. Maybe it's tied to some secret society thing. Yeah! That'd be cool. But of course they wouldn't share with the class why, so...back to square one.

Regardless, graduating high school is a huge accomplishment and a very big threshold to cross on the way to adulthood. It's fun to celebrate, it's a challenge to achieve, and a huge learning and growing experience throughout the process. Graduating is a release from your former self, leaving an institution that you began as a snot-nosed 13-year old kid who was (and possible still is) incredibly awkward for varying reasons.

It's nice to leave that behind. Once you go to college you can truly become the person you wish to be. Reestablish your identity, picking the most favorite parts of your personality and possibly others' as well. College and the few years after are some of the best times for personal growth and significant life changes.

I'm a quarter-century old with a long life yet to live and I'm still learning.

Oh, and here's to the end of an era: With my cousin graduated from my alma mater, he concludes the reign of family members that began in 1989. Same school.

Okay, there was a one year gap in 1993...but still!

21 years...I think we made a lasting mark. We had an FFA member, a Band President, soccer stars and football heroes, and a girl with the voice of an angel. We are all about diversity in this family.

Sorry, Clements, I doubt you'll end up with a family this big again walking through your halls making names for themselves in so many different ways. Sucks to be you!