Today was the Jr. High School graduation ceremony! This is the second Jr. High School graduation I’ve attended. Japanese Jr. High School graduations are somewhat different from those back home, but the reason for celebrating is universal. Graduations are an opportunity for teachers to say bye and vis versa for students. In Japan, students are lead by a selected homeroom teacher throughout the school year. This teacher provides students important daily announcements, as well discipline when needed amongst a myriad of other responsibilities. Almost a father or mother figure at times, this teacher proudly leads his or her class into the gym on graduation day. Special graduation guests are introduced, speeches are given by the principal and student leaders, songs are sung and in the end – most girls and their mothers can be seen crying. A parade of sort is made through the school gates, which marks the end of the ceremony.