2004-6-2
This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Education
Report.
May and June are the months when
most American high schools and colleges hold their graduation
ceremonies. Elementary and middle schools also hold ceremonies for
children finishing those levels of education.
And much older people may be completing their education, too. Men
and women in their seventies and eighties receive high school
diplomas or college degrees. Last year, in California, a high school
in San Francisco awarded an honorary diploma to a woman ninety-seven
years old.
Traditionally at graduation ceremonies, the students wear dark
colored caps and gowns over their clothing. Most graduations include
speakers. Schools often invite famous guests or former students who
became highly successful. Or both.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor of the Supreme Court spoke at
Stanford University in California. That was where she went to
college.
Universities often want speakers who can comment on world events.
Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at Florida State University last
month. President Bush spoke at three graduations this year. He spoke
at Concordia University in Wisconsin and Louisiana State University.
He also spoke at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.
Well-known reporters often speak at graduations. For example, Ted
Koppel spoke at the University of California, Berkeley, last month.
He has a nightly news program on national television.
Entertainers are also popular choices for graduation speakers.
One very busy speaker this year is the actor and comedian Bill
Cosby. He spoke at the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts and
at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. He also spoke at Temple
University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bill Cosby has spoken at
Temple University many times. That is where he went to college.
Bono was also in Philadelphia. The
singer from the Irish rock band U2 spoke last month at graduation
ceremonies at the University of Pennsylvania. University officials
praised Bono for using his popularity to help developing nations and
fight against AIDS. He also received an honorary doctorate degree.
This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy
Steinbach. This is Steve Ember.