The Charlotte Mason Graduate

Friends, If you have a student approaching graduation, and you aren’t sure what to do, I would like to offer you some suggestions.

As an event planner, I must confess that I spent about one year planning my oldest daughter’s graduation and celebration.

DON’T LEAVE! If you aren’t a planner, and you have a graduation this weekend, I can still help. Promise!

I will share what we have done for each of our unique student graduates, as well as some ideas from other friends. You are welcome to take any ideas that strike the right note for your family and circumstance, and leave all the rest.

Vanderley Family Graduations

Special friends and family members were invited to witness the ceremony of graduation, followed by a party to celebrate. These were not “Open Houses”, they started at a set time and ended….well, whenever. People like to linger at our house :-) Every graduate was given a new dress or dress up outfit. Youngest made her own, because that’s what she does. She also had her hair done by a pro, like one would for prom.

Ceremony- Father, Mother and Graduate stood on the front porch, before the assembled crowd. Father welcomed all and said a few words about the graduate. Mother shared a speech with more details of the student and their journey of education, their particular points of study (son loved History, hunting and art, first daughter a photographer and writer, last daughter an artist/creator). Then the student shared a short, prepared speech in which he/she was required to 1) thank their mother 2) share their plans or ideas for the future - none of my kids had a detailed list of anything, but they had an IDEA. Father handed over a real diploma (see HSLDA’s website) created by mom. Everyone clapped. Father/Mother prayed a blessing.

Celebration - we had around 100 people at each of our celebrations, which were celebrated outside, with tents, tables, games and activities. Rope swing, sidewalk chalk, badminton, croquet, volleyball, frisbee and a marksmanship demonstration (by graduate, with father nearby).

Eldest daughter had a taco buffet (never again, too many items) and a display of her 2 published poems, a video of her photography, an old typewriter and an essay: Ode to Nachos! She finished the evening by starting a bonfire and burning her math books that had been covered with her tears. (Side note: she LOVED grammar!)

Son had a cereal, donut and Oreo bar (so many carbs!) and a display of his hunting trophies, his art work, a video and various pictures from a variety of sports and Trail Life USA.

Youngest daughter had a huge charcuterie board and had dresses displayed on mannequins, albums of her prodigious artworks (when she was 6-10, I started scanning them and making them into albums to keep) and her senior project: a mural of Starry, Starry Night that she painted on our wall.

Reluctant Graduates

Some kids aren’t big fans of being the center of attention. Some families don’t like to entertain. That’s ok. All of my kids told me that they didn’t want a party. I am their mother and I know them well. I knew they would be glad when they looked back, to have celebrated with all the special people in their life and mark that transition to adulthood. So, I told them the party was for me, too, because I did a whole lot of work to see them through school, and they could talk all they wanted about how much I had done to help them and I could display photos of me helping them, etc etc. This caused some laughs, which was the point, after all, and we continued with the party plans. That is what our family does - we welcome people into our home. But if your student is TRULY reluctant, respect it. Send out an announcement and call it good.

Other Ideas - from our dear friend Michelle Howard

Host a meal at your house for those who have helped your student very specifically in their journey: a tutor, living books librarian, Sunday school teacher, music or dance instructor. During this meal, the focus is on others, not the graduating student. He or she takes time to publicly thank each individual for their contribution to the graduation. If music was a part of the student’s life, he or she could play or sing for the guests. Hand out a flower to the ladies. Make the meal a special event.

Have a few close families over for an informal bonfire. Roast some hot dogs and s’mores and have some laughs. Keep it simple!

Host a formal event with just a few special friends. Get some help from friends or a caterer to furnish several courses of a meal and serve each one in different areas of the house with a table decor theme relative to the person- a love of books or music or art.

Church Celebrations

Possibly, as a home educating parent, you are involved with youth ministry at your church and could find a way to celebrate each graduate. I have a small church and we have had a different celebration for each individual or small group of students. One young lady graduated and was gifted a ring by her parents to mark her transition to adulthood. A creative church member had ordered a bakery cake for her and then made Lord of the Rings items to add to the cake. The pastor also requested that a specific funny shirt be purchased for the student and he gave it to her. She was taking Krav Maga classes and the shirt read, “Krav Maga - never heard of it? Touch me and I will show you.” We all laughed.

Once, a young man had been visiting for several months and was not living with family. We gave him a gift card, food and a new bible.

Currently planning a celebration for 2 young men and a young lady. Instead of bibles, they will all be getting a special pocket knife, as that appeals to all of them. There will be a prayer of blessing, flowers to honor their mothers, and snacks after church for all.

Family ONLY Celebrations - from Beckie Simkins

For those truly reluctant to be the center of attention, have an at home, only immediate family celebration. Gather around the kitchen table. Hand out a “program” listing the events for this celebration: Prayer for the Graduate, Giving of Diploma, Sharing of Memories, Party Popper Salute, Pictures, Presentation of Gifts and Cards.

Further Ideas? We would love to hear from you! Please share some unique things your family has done to celebrate graduates.