Longwood is a school that puts a great deal of emphasis on tradition, and Longwood students love it. Last Thursday, Longwood Seniors and their hand selected underclassmen friends participated on one of Longwood's most beloved traditions, Convocation.
Why is this formal, kicking-off-the-year ceremony so popular with students? Everyone looks forward to the speakers, but there is one main attraction: the capping ceremony.
This is a big deal. Seniors choose an underclassman who they deeply trust to create them a cap. They are rarely let down. These caps are true works of art, featuring every sort of decoration imaginable. Convocation is quite a sight to behold.
"I think it's awesome," said Emily Miller, "I really can't wait until I'm a senior so I can have someone cap me!"
"They were spiffy hats!" said Ashton Funkhouser, a Sophomore who observed all of the bustle around the event. "In my opinion, it's a very heartwarming event because you choose the person to make your hat and they've known you for a good part of the time you've been at Longwood. So their mission is to honor your time here."
The caps often represent the unique personalities and interests of the seniors that they are made for. Some carry favorite photographs and words of encouragement, others include glitter covered shoes or tiny models of Stonehenge. Observers can definitely tell they that are a labor of love.
Junior Carrie Dunham was excited to cap her friend, Carlisle Parker, and put a lot of thought into what the cap looked like. "I put on Alphabet blocks and stickers because she's going to be a teacher, and I spelled out the names of some of her favorite organizations," she said. The cap also featured a bouquet, an engagement placed next to a picture of Carlisle's fiancée, flip-flops and a Harry potter lightning bolt.
Misty Watkins' cap boasted a rotunda made out of Chap Stick. "Her capper knows her very well. She really loves Chap Stick and Longwood. I think he combined the two very well," explained a mutual friend.
"It's really interesting to see how Longwood is represented in the caps," said Misty. "You never know what you'll see. It's quite exciting."
One student was quick to point out how artistically talented the cappers are. "You see everyone's creativity. They might not be art majors, but they are still able to express their creativity for the cause." Most of the caps really were impressive: One featured a skyscraper made of cardboard, a billboard on top featured the senior's face, and many had intricately carved sculptures or beautifully painted Greek letters.
Convocation is a way for seniors to fondly reflect on their memories of Longwood, while getting psyched for the year to come. For them, this is the beginning of the end. It's also a way for underclassmen to start saying goodbye to their older friends. Chastity Duffer was one of the cappers in this situation. "It was a wonderful experience to be of the senior's senior year, but it was so bittersweet because it meant that they're actually leaving."
