Changes Coming to LG Graduation Ceremony

New Supt. Recommends Val. and Sal. Speeches, Honor Cords

The La Grange I.S.D. School Board voted last week to make some big changes to the high school graduation ceremony.

Starting next school year, the ceremony will include speeches by the valedictorian and salutatorian. Previously, graduating seniors in the top 25 percent could volunteer for various speaking roles at the graduation ceremony such as the introduction and farewell. However, the ceremony did not include speeches by the valedictorian and salutatorian, a traditional part of graduation at many other schools.

La Grange’s new Superintendent, Andy McHazlett, recommended the change.

“It is a very common practice for school districts to allow the valedictorian and salutatorian to provide a speech,” said Superintendent Andy McHazlett at the school board meeting last Monday, June 27.

“These two, if it’s approved, would not be in the pool to make another speech,” he said. “So they wouldn’t do the introduction or farewell as well. That allows a couple of other students to speak at graduation. We’re in the kid business, and the more kids we have speaking, I think, is a great opportunity.”

In past years, the school district did not publicly name the top graduates until the graduation ceremony. That will change now as well. McHazlett said the school would name the top two graduates a week or more ahead of the ceremony to give the students time to prepare their speeches.

“Some of the speeches these students give are amazing,” McHazlett said. “I think it’s in the best interest of the district to allow the valedictorian and salutatorian to speak at graduation.”

McHazlett said the top two students could decline giving a speech if they wish.

The school board unanimously approved McHazeltt’s recommendation.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the school board paved the way for seniors to wear certain honor cords and stoles at graduation. Under the current policy, the school only allows National Honor Society collars at graduation. Other schools allow graduates to wear cords and stoles recognizing achievements such as advanced placement (AP) classes or membership in groups like the FFA, Spanish Club or Drama.

Alivia Eindorf, a junior at La Grange High, spoke during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting and supported the idea. Eindorf said she asked many people at the school why honor cords are banned at graduation. She said some people felt the cords unfairly recognized certain students. Eindorf disagreed with that line of thinking.

“Students will work harder to achieve the cords,” she said. “They will put in more effort to their teachers and study more often. This will also help prepare them for life.”

Later in the meeting, McHazlett proposed allowing cords and stoles for organizations and achievements officially recognized by the school.

“At previous districts I’ve been at, we’ve allowed graduates to wear their honor cords and stoles,” McHazlett said. “I think its something to be proud of. A lot of hard work is put into those. It’s an honor to be able to wear them.

Right now, the only thing allowed is the National Honor Society, and that’s an honor to be able to wear that,” he added. “But I think we need to include some other areas as well. It will be good recognition for the kids who put in hard work.”

The school board did not take any official action on the proposal Monday night. None of the school board members spoke against the idea. McHazlett said he would include the proposed change in the Student Handbook, which the school board will consider at a later date.