High School Graduation in the town of Gringsing (May 2012)

In May of 2012 I returned to Semarang to attend the graduation party of Irawan's school. Unlike many other cultures, it is not the custom of Indonesian schools for parents to be invited to attend a graduation. However, through the music teacher, Irawan was able to convince the school to invite me. When I arrived, Mr. Yudi the music teacher greeted me and led me to the guests' rows of seats. I saw local government officials sitting in a somewhat rigid position, and some police officers in uniforms which made the event feel and look more official. I had brought from the United States a roll of raffle tickets with the twin numbers side by side for a gift giveaway (door prize) as my contribution to help celebrate the graduation. I was introduced to the principal, the counselor and several teachers who warmly welcome me .... at first.

After explaining about the gift giveaway that I wanted to raffle, the principal agreed that he would pick 3 winning numbers during the ceremony and he would announce the lucky numbers. The lucky ticket holders would win a 4-day getaway to the city of Semarang where we live in Indonesia. A few minutes later, my husband Mitch came on my Android video chat. Excited, I approached the principal and "introduced" Mitch unilaterally. Mr. Principal didn't make any comment, other than "that look" on his face..... And some 15 minutes later, the counselor asked me to step in her office for a discussion. Politely, she expressed her concerns about my motives for bringing the students to Semarang. I explained to her that I intended to give them an educational trip so students may be inspired to go to college and have hope for better life. She then asked me if it would be possible to bring the parents as well..... Though this trip was intended for students, I then stretched my plan to include the parents as well in order to accommodate the situation. The counselor held me "captive" for 15 minutes or so (felt like an hour) while she counseled with the principal.

Out in the school yard on the stage, Irawan was playing in 2 bands, playing both the drums and a bass guitar. The quiet little town suddenly turned into some kind of a rock festival where teenagers and students from other schools tried to crash the party. Many were "caught" inappropriately wearing the uniform of the school and were turned away. Once in a while Mr. Yudi the music teacher took the microphone and stopped the band when students danced too much. I didn't see any danger whatsoever, for their manner was mild compared to dancing to a rock concert in America. Since there is no regular entertainment in the town, the young people take advantage of a happening like this school graduation party. Yet, they were told to behave and were warned of the police officers standing by to discipline them.

The principal and the counselor at this time had finished the discussion regarding the raffle prizes, and we all reached an agreement. The students would be accompanied by the parents, otherwise they wouldn't leave the town. The principal pulled one winning ticket at a time and called the winner. After the party was over, the counselor and I gathered with the winners and discussed the trip, made the arrangement for transportation, etc. They were all excited.