Updated on March 4, 2025
A senior’s high school graduation ceremony is generally considered to be the culmination of their K-12 education. As quickly as the day goes by, it is the primary celebration of all the time and effort students have invested, and many graduation traditions reflect that. Mortar boards can be decorated with mementos, speeches reflect on fond memories, and—most notably—academic awards can represent various activities the student has participated in. Cords, stoles, and medals allow graduates to honor all that they achieved in classrooms and extracurriculars, so why don’t Southern Lehigh clubs embrace more opportunities for students to earn regalia?
As of this 2024-2025 school year, students of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, yearbook club, class officers, graduation speakers, and those entering military service receive regalia. Additionally, those who earn medals through varsity sports are permitted to wear them on graduation day. However, participants of many other popular activities such as theater or robotics are given no school-sanctioned symbol to honor their membership. The double standard is even more apparent when you consider how clubs of similar standing face different representation: though cords are gifted to the National Honors Society, Health Occupations Students of America—also a chapter of a national organization—receives none.
While some students and staff may believe that having fewer opportunities to wear cords will prevent some students from feeling left out at graduation, it more so accomplishes the opposite. By recognizing only a few clubs, it sends the message that some activities are more impressive than others. Whether students are practicing chord changes in orchestra or scoring the winning goal of a soccer game, their efforts should be recognized at graduation. Southern Lehigh’s school culture uplifts diverse interests and our graduation ceremony should reflect that.
Additionally, introducing more cords will create a more well-rounded student body. Whether they are intended to or not, cords create an incentive for students to become more involved in new activities. Students may first pursue an activity because they want to earn a cord, however, they could then grow to love a club’s cause or discover a new interest.
One unique accomplishment that is not taken advantage of by students is the cord designated for the high school students who are involved in blood donation. Southern Lehigh High School currently runs an annual blood drive during the winter months, when blood donations are statistically needed the most. The Miller-Keystone Blood Center awards students a red cord, called the “Cord of Courage,” for one of two scenarios: volunteering at four blood drives or giving blood four times during one’s high school career.
Our graduation ceremonies should not only recognize extracurricular achievements, but also the small sacrifices students make for the betterment of their community. By encouraging students to wear their cords, Southern Lehigh could create more awareness for blood donation and encourage civic responsibility.
Although this cord is not directly affiliated with a school activity, Mr. Miller will allow students to wear it at graduation. Mr. Miller is open to allowing new cords at graduation upon request from students. He emphasizes that he is willing to individually look at any outside organization directly involved with the high school to approve for graduation. If students have questions about what cords they are allowed to wear, he welcomes them to approach him in the hallway or have a conversation over email.
Although cords may seem like a trivial part of the graduation ceremony, they provide a satisfying closure to four years of success and incentivize students to better their community. Students and club advisors should consider adding graduation cords to their club agenda. Creating more cords for graduation is a small gesture Southern Lehigh can implement that will ensure ripples of positivity.
