Pomp and Circumstance and History
The Glynn Academy, a public school on the Georgia Coast in Glynn County, was created by an Act of the General Assembly of Georgia on February 1, 1788. (That’s a year before George Washington became President, but who’s counting?) Glynn Academy is the second oldest high school in Georgia, and the 5th oldest in the nation. The oldest wooden school in Georgia, and the only remaining antebellum building in Glynn County is preserved on the current school campus. In 1889, a brick-constructed Annex with an unusual design of cross-ventilation, connected three buildings with brick firewalls. It is currently considered one of the most beautiful public schools in America.
It was here that we watched graduation under the stars on the Friday night of the Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Hall, the current day original building, is the main administration building on the campus. It was dedicated November 12, 1923, Armistice Day. It stands as a tribute to local veterans of World War I whose names are recorded on a marble plaque at the top of the staircase. Many were graduates of Glynn Academy. In a Memorial Plaza in front of the building sits a replica of the Liberty Bell, cast in Philadelphia in 1897. It hung in the clock tower of Brunswick City Hall until 1930s and was resurrected by Glynn Academy students. A Vietnam Memorial and a memorial to staff, students, and administrators who have passed away but left their legacy on this campus through graduates over the years, are also part of the Memorial Plaza.
Students at Glynn Academy have a very real connection to their history which lives on their campus. Perhaps it’s not surprising then, that both my husband and I commented that this was the nicest and most respectful commencement we’ve seen in many years. At this public school, more than 90 in the class had a 4.0 or better, and an astonishing number graduated with high or highest honor. The 5 student speakers were poised, practiced, and succinct. (Those of us on the bleachers were appreciative of that.) The behavior of the students was commendable. (The few lacking in decorum were not students!) The ROTC flag presentation and Anthem was nicely done, and at the close when the entire graduating class rose, turned to face the audience and with the orchestra sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic, this grandmother needed a tissue.
229 years of graduations at this public school; hmm. Some people think history isn’t relevant. Some think memorials should be removed, rather than remind us of our history. These 2018 graduates from the demographically diverse Georgia coast understand their history and the importance of remembering it, and because they do, they can respectfully move on and create an even better history. And aren’t we all, after all, just a moment in history? Toss the cap in the air and move along.