Fishkill, NY – In front of me a kid in an ink stained green t-shirt stood and clapped with the hundreds of parents, family and friends.
“Tyler Erik All-Brick-Ta,” said class president Thomas Jackson.
No applause.
“Danielle Nicole Alexy”
A air horn went off somewhere in the stadium, a girl screamed.
“Jew-Lee Anne Alfon-Zo”
My uncle whistled. Cousin Matt yelled, “JULIE.”
My sister received her diploma, shook Principal Brooks’ hand and strolled to her seat. President Jackson read on. Sunlight broke through the evening clouds and danced across the craggy quilt of maroon and white graduation caps. A clear beach ball and killer whale bounced from student to student. Hands raised, teachers in black gowns tried to get the ceremony under control. “Look at them run around, like chickens with their heads cut off,” said the kid in front of me. Matt laughed. Jackson butchered another name as a third beach ball jetted into the sky.
-east coast paper boy
Tags: arlington high school, beach ball, fishkilll, graduation, new york, photography, polaroid, polaroid spectra
