"Graduation" Advancement Ceremony
Thanks to Arlene Viscount, who shared this ceremony with me. It was created by Dolores Boutilier and Kathleen Bugbee.
Equipment:
6 inch by 6 inch cardboard squares, one for each girl advancing in Unit
Gold yarn, cut into one 9 to 12 inch segment
Brown, Blue or Green yarn (signifying the Unit advancing to), cut two into 16 inch segments
Advancement Certificates rolled like diplomas
Preparation:
Color one side of the cardboard square – this will be the bottom.
Punch two small holes about 3 inches on either side of the middle point of each square and one hole directly in the middle.
Put one segment of gold yarn through one of the two side holes and tape (with very durable tape) on the topside of the board. Insert the opposite end of the yarn through the other side hole and tape on the topside also. This creates a loop on the under side of the board that can be used to keep it on each girl's head.
Cover top of cardboard square with black paper or poster board. This will cover the tape on the top of the cardboard square.
Double the two strands of brown, blue or green yarn segments in half and insert the uncut ends through the center hole and tie a knot on the bottom side of the board or use a toothpick to hold yarn through. This creates a "tassel" for the graduation cap.
Cut a strip of black color paper or poster board about 12 inches long and 2 inches wide. Tape ends to make a circle and tape the circle to the bottom of the graduation cap.
Ceremony:
Participants required:
- Chancellor ( master of ceremonies)
- Dean ( DC)
- Assistant Dean (Deputy)
- Each Unit needs - Professor
(Girls who are advancing should be gathered together at the rear of the circle/horseshoe.)
Chancellor: When children complete grades in school or a course of study at a college or university, we celebrate their accomplishments in a Graduation Ceremony. These formal events recognize that they are growing up, and that they have met certain requirements and learned different skills that have prepared them to go on to the next step in their lives. Tonight, we too are celebrating the accomplishments of our girls as they take another step in their growth in the Girl Guide Program.
Dean: Good evening and welcome to this evening's Graduation Ceremony. As Dean of Girl Guides U, I wish to thank you for coming here this evening to recognize these young ladies as they take another step in the process of growing up. Professors, please come forward and present your students.
(The Units present their girls who are advancing.)
Unit Guider: I present to you this evening the following young ladies. Each of them has completed the requirements and may advance to the next level of Guiding.
Chancellor: As I call each of you by name, come forward and receive the symbol of your advancement. (Call each girl by name.)
(They will receive their “diploma” and pin.) (Dean & Assistant Dean can alternate pinning on the Advancement pins and giving the diplomas. This will allow Chancellor to call the names a little quicker.) (If the Units are giving “gifts”, a leader from that Unit can pass out the “gift” after Dean have pinned the girls.) (Parents can take pictures while this is taking place – we cannot hold up the ceremony for parents to take pictures.)
(Girls from the new Unit will meet the graduating students and take them to their circle/horseshoe.
(Repeat these two steps for each Unit with girls who are advancing until all Units have advanced their girls.)
Chancellor: Each of these girls has taken a step tonight along her pathway of the Girl Guide Program. She has learned new skills and enjoyed new activities while learning about her duties to God, her country, her family, and herself. Parents, you have played an important role in helping these girls accomplish their goals. May the lessons they have learned and the skills they have gained help them as they continue to grow into becoming young women.
Dean: This evening we would also like to take the opportunity to …
It is a good idea, if before the ceremony begins, we announce: Because we have a large number of girls “graduating” pictures will need to be taken quickly. If the opportunity is missed to take a picture, we cannot hold up the entire ceremony to “stage pictures.” Parents will need to wait until after the entire ceremony is completed and do retakes.