Ellen McCoy: Graduation disruption

I came to Raleigh from Western North Carolina to attend my niece’s high school graduation. The ceremony was held early in the morning at the downtown convention center.

There were signs all over the place with rules for what we could and could not bring into the convention center and for what type of behavior was expected. Before the ceremony began and again before the names were called, we were asked to refrain from loud whooping and other verbal displays because not only did that disrupt the ceremony but it could cause other families to miss the name of their loved one when called.

This request was ignored. The more it was ignored, the bolder people became because they could see that the so-called security did nothing, and there would be no consequence for their behavior. More than one family seated near me missed the name of their graduate.

I guess once again we did not know that special people were in our midst and the rules do not pertain to them. So sad that such a joyous and monumental occasion can be tainted by a few selfish people.

This story was originally published June 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "Ellen McCoy: Graduation disruption."