The Messalonskee High School graduation has come and gone, on a wet Thursday evening when another graduating class received its diplomas.

Graduation is a time when students, parents and educators reflect on the accomplishments of the past four years. It is a time when students look back on the many memories they have made. Many of the students have worked hard and have plans of greater things. They deserve a great memory of their high school years and their graduation.

On this night, however, I am appalled at what was allowed. This was not a graduation one should be proud of.

Students were told not to write on the top of their caps; some did and still were allowed to march with their class. Students also were told not to have any latex balloons, beach balls, etc. because a classmate was allergic to latex. Not only did this fall on deaf ears, but very graphic inflatable objects of female and male body parts were tossed around.

These items were retrieved, but not before being tossed back and forth, even knocking off some of the girls’ caps as they were getting ready to receive their diplomas.

Two school board members, the superintendent, two principals and assistant principal of the high school witnessed these disrespectful actions and said or did nothing.

This has been an ongoing display for many years, but this year was the worst I’ve seen. These actions do not take place at the graduations of other schools in the area, so why should Messalonskee allow this? The administration of RSU 18 needs to take a stand and put some control into this system.

Judy Sucy

Oakland

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