High school graduation next week

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Hi, my daughter is graduating and is absolutely dreading the rehearsal because she didn't make any friends in her senior class. She has a friend or two that are in the sophomore class. I was told it will be pretty structured, but...who really knows and it lasst a long time. She doesn't want to feel left out and bad, feelings that she unfortunately has had to endure her entire school career.
She is not sure if she should just get her diploma in the mail and not go through with the ceremony. We will let her decide.
Any thoughts.

My oldest daughter graduated last month, and it was a huge deal to her. She was popular though and enjoyed school. Her entire senior year was important to her and she kept a scrap book.

One thing to remember. At the graduation ceremony all the kids get sentemental. At her graduation, I saw kids who couldn't stand each other hugging or shaking hands, etc. They get all overcome by emotion and forget how much they hated it.

I'd honestly urge her to go. I hated high school too and was not popular, but at times like that it's all forgotten and boo hoo's and hugs etc.

_________________
I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
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Best to let her make her own choice on attending. I didn't even want to attend my 8th grade graduation, and hated the experience, but was under a lot of pressure to attend. Also, I did feel I owed my parents that one, but I made it clear to them even then, that I would not do the high school one. When I finished high school I did skip the ceremony, and just went in to the school office on another day to pick up my diploma. I don't like being "on stage", and the center of that kind of attention, so I avoid such situations.

Congratulations to her!

I think she should attend her graduation. I just graduated from high school earlier this month, and it was pretty structured. Everyone had an assigned seat, and names were called alphabetically for the students to receive their diplomas. So really, if she is not making a speech at the ceremony, I don't see any reason for her not to go.

Just graduated from middle school today.( middle school or junior high here is g7-g9) pretty nice. She should go. Look, I even sort of enjoyed the prom/dinner party!

I disliked most of my classmates so I didn't waste my time with graduation.

You only graduate high school once.

Go to the graduation. For pete's sake, it's only a few hours, and you (well, she) would regret not going.

Not everyone has friends at high school. That doesn't mean you're friendless... you just don't have friends your age.

It's a life milestone, and sitting home staring at the wall while you get your diploma in the mail means missing out on a special occasion in life.
It's something to celebrate. You earned a diploma... why not commemorate it with everyone else?

Yes, it may be awkward to go to a reception alone... but, so? That's life. Go to the graduation ceremony itself, skip some events, and move on with life. It's just a high school graduation ceremony to sit through... not a lobotomy. Celebrate your achievements... who cares if you're the only person alone. (Though, you won't be... tons of people don't have friends their age in high school.) It's not like you'll see your high school classmates much anymore, if not ever again. Who cares what they think? Go to the frickin' graduation and move on with life.

And, high school students who are graduating get all sappy. A stranger can be your new BFF. People usually are polite to others, if not nice.

Not having friends at a high school graduation is trivial. Not having friends in life is sad, but graduations are structured enough that it's no big deal, and... like I said... everyone gets all sappy and sentimental and friendly with each other.

Go to the graduation. Enjoy it. Let your family commemorate the graduation with me.

I would make my child go to graduation. Period. It's a big milestone, and a few hours of discomfort really isn't that big a deal in the end.
I hate stages, but bet your bottom dollar that I go to my graduations. I earned the d#%n diploma and I'm going to celebrate that fact with friends and family! I don't care if I'm graduating alone and friendless. It's a graduation ceremony... I'm not marrying the people! I don't have to know them, like them, or whatever. It's about ME and MY family/friends celebrating MY milestone with ME. It's not just about her, it's for the parents, grandparents, relatives, etc. too. Just because something good and productive makes you uncomfortable is no excuse to watch life pass you by as you instead stay at home doing nothing during a big moment in life.

I would recommend going, if it isn't seriously problematic. Obviously it's her decision to make, but it's sort of a major milestone for a lot of people, even if they don't really know anyone there. My graduation was very heavily structured, with us just sitting down where they put us and being told to come up to get our diplomas. Then, at the end, we threw our hats and someone sprayed silly string all over the place. It was a symbol that a part of my life was over and a new part was beginning, and it was definitely something that I'll remember for the rest of my life (it's probably my AS that will make me remember that it was June 5th of 2009, but hey). If she doesn't want to go, then obviously don't force her to, but it might be more significant for her a few years down the road.

It's already over, so there's no longer a pressing need to reply.

That's OK. I do that sometimes too.