Utspring

Grattis! 

Stockholm International School 

Graduating Class of 2014 

28 students from 18 different countries

Graduation in Sweden is a bit different from American graduation.  First, no polyester graduation gowns and mortar boards!  All around Stockholm, on April 30th (Walpurgis) groups of graduates wear customized sailor caps they just received for graduation. 

On Monday, June 2, the graduates, dressed in white dresses (girls) and dark suits (boys), were served a special lunch by the 11th graders.  After lunch the lower grades lined the stairs from the 4th floor lunch room to the front door, waving flags and cheering as the graduates 'utspring' or run out of the school to waiting family and friends.

the front of SIS decorated with greenery for luck

 

 

It is customary to have a large printed poster with a baby/toddler picture of the graduate, flowers, teddy bears on ribbons, streamers, whistles, etc. to bestow on the graduates.  Lots of hugs, smiles and photo taking. The graduates then go back into school to change out of dress clothes before boarding the truck, decorated with more green tree branches for luck.

my friend, Heidi, waiting for her daughter, Tabitha, who is headed to Tulane in the fall.

friends and proud parents Andrea and Renata!

Congratulations Tabitha!  Sofia said on the way to school this morning that she already misses Tabitha.

The graduates climb in and take off, blaring music, launching water balloons and spraying water guns everywhere. The celebration travels around the city of Stockholm for about an hour and a half.  Graduates from other high schools around the city will be doing the same thing over the next week or so.  I saw a few trucks this afternoon.... not looking as wholesome spraying champagne and smoking off the back!

Tonight, Wednesday, June 4, the official graduation ceremony at the Hilton Slussen, Stockholm kicked off with a champagne reception and ended with a formal dinner. This time the girls in formal gowns and cocktail dresses and the boys in suits.  Some graduates had moved away during the year but came back to participate in the graduation ceremonies with their friends.