Here at Colton high it is getting closer and closer to graduation for the seniors of the class of 2015, and it has come to my attention that the students now have to rent their caps and gowns– they have no longer been given the option to buy them.

This is kind of sad. If you think about it, you only graduate high school once. Yes, you may go on to graduate from college, but it’s not high school. A cap and gown will allow you to maybe reminisce 10, 15 years later and think what a wonderful time you had in high school. (From my understandings they do allow you to keep the cap.)

Recently, I talked  to AP Vic Schiro and he was telling me from personal experiences that his cap and gown were made from this paper like material and he was able to buy them. He also said that his daughter has used his for her own graduation. He says personally he likes that they are rented, it saves kids more money, and he pointed out,  “why buy it if you’re only using it once?”

When I look at it from his point of view I see it differently. He is right the students will only use it once, but like I said before it creates memories most of us will like to hold on to.

According to ASB director Gloria Ramirez, the whole reason behind the rentals of the cap and gown was because of a law. Originally the law was based on the selling of P.E clothes, but along the way cap and gowns were brought into it. The legislation was introduced by lawmakers who felt that students shouldn’t be forced to buy their caps and gowns.

As of the rental of the cap and gowns now, when you return your cap after graduation you will receive your diploma. I believe that is a fair enough trade, and I’m sure your diploma will be far more useful than your graduation gown.