Graduates are increasingly displaying pride in their heritage by incorporating traditional regalia or other cultural references with their caps and gowns. The uptick is due in part to a 2019 regulation to allow it in a limited way. Prior to then, schools generally didn’t permit adornment of caps and gowns
Cultural pride runs into regalia rule at graduation May 20th 12:51 pm |
Marc Lester, ADN
For the East High School graduation May 11, Melrose Meneses adorned her mortarboard with the golden sun of the flag of the Philippines. Mele Takafua wore a Tongan dress and a Fijian necklace. Daniel Mokom s unzipped gown revealed his embroidered shirt traditional to Cameroon. Amanda Yang s sash had a Hmong design.
Ermelina Gonzalez also stood out among the mostly uniform blue caps and gowns on the football field. She said she felt privileged to graduate wearing a cap her mother beaded with a butterfly and flower design. Under her gown she wore the Athabaskan dress her mom wore at her own college graduation.