Tradition: the body of customs, thought, practices, etc., belonging to a particular country, people, family, or institution over a relatively long period – Collins English Dictionary

Using this definition of the word, I would like to speak about how Boothbay Region High School’s graduation week activities have changed in recent years due to many factors – perhaps the biggest factor being COVID-19. However, there seems to be a problem resuming some of the traditional activities that were held over many, many years.

The annual Alumni Banquet, where students were treated to a meal paid for by the Alumni Association on the Sunday evening before graduation, now seems to be a thing of the past. Now we have the Alumni/Masonic cookout at Barrett’s Park, which began last year. Despite Association president Lynn Martin’s efforts – and others who helped – attendance by the graduating class was minimal – about a third of the class showed up. Cheers to the Masons who prepared the hamburgers and hot dogs and the parents and others who brought sides, a congratulatory cake and more, but the gathering seemed to lack the “school spirit” that the Banquet provided. It was great seeing some classes showing up to celebrate a significant year of graduation and catching up with some of the oldest graduates (some with three or four generations at the gathering) in attendance was special.

Gone, too, is Baccalaureate. Not a school or an Alumni Association event, but it was held for those graduates who still believed in religion. Back in 1975 when I graduated, it was held in the BRHS gym, not a church and though not all of my classmates (74) took part, most of them did because it was a tradition.

Martin has gotten the OK to hold the Grand March – a BRHS tradition that has lasted over 100 years – in the gym (the pandemic forced it outside one year and rain forced it inside last year). However, there will be no decorative balloons strung from the ceiling … lack of volunteers and other factors have figured in that portion of the event. Also, money gained at the Grand March helps pay for the Association’s activities.

Are traditions made to be broken or revamped? Are we “old” folks too hung up to keeping the traditions going, as Martin has asked? Perhaps the answer is “yes” to both questions but perhaps the Association will cease to exist if others make decisions on how the graduates are honored and if Martin and others in the Association feel their efforts are all for naught.