7 June 2013
HONORS: The seniors won’t be the only Poly bears at the graduation ceremony on June 12.
By Kira Roybal, Staff writer
While the majority of the school year from August to May passed by rather slowly, the days are now speeding away toward the Senior Graduation Day on June 12. As Poly’s seniors spend their last few days of school saying farewell to teachers and friends and signing yearbooks, the Honor Escort Committee prepares for senior graduation activities.
The Honor Escort program began at Poly in 1998, though prior to this it was called Daisy Chain. Approximately 50 juniors are chosen every year to participate and assist in graduation activities such as setting up and decorating the venue of the Senior Awards Night or making flower arrangements for the graduation ceremony. Students are chosen to participate in Honor Escort based on three criteria: a high GPA, excellent attendance and no discipline referrals. Because of these high requirements, Honor Escorts attend senior events not only to lend a helping hand to the senior advisors, but to also be recognized for their own achievements.
“The Honor Escort adds to the ceremonial aspect of graduation. It’s one more way to celebrate the seniors and add a little elegance,” Ms. Magdolen, one of the advisors of the Honor Escort Committee, said.
The Honor Escorts were pleasantly surprised to discover their nomination for the program in mid-May. “I was happy because I wanted to be an Honor Escort. It looks good on college applications, and it sounds like fun, too,” Noelle Goodyear (11) said. A few days after the nomination notices were sent out, the students were treated to lunch at Koala Korner and the expectations and responsibilities of being an Honor Escort were explained to them.
The highlight of being an Honor Escort is attending the senior graduation free of charge. “It’s a good opportunity. I’m excited to help out the seniors and see them graduate,” Skylar Rains (11) said. During the graduation, Honor Escorts will distribute bouquets to the graduates after they receive their diplomas and help them exit off stage so as to avoid any embarrassing trips and falls. Honor Escorts also lead the graduates onto the field to begin the ceremony and are included in the graduation pictures.
“Honor Escort gives the juniors, who normally can’t go to graduation, an insight of how it’s going to be for them next year,” Alex Sessa (11) said. Though the juniors will be clad in solid black to focus attention back to the graduates, they, nevertheless, help keep the ceremony running smoothly and participate in many activities that are usually only for seniors.