Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We the undersigned have become aware that the "Irish Blessing" has been cut from the graduation program this year. This has been a long-standing NJHSA Chorale tradition that means so much to us. This is not only a beautiful song but it adds so much meaning to a graduation ceremony, as it speaks of God leading and protecting those going out into the real world "until we meet again." The reality of graduating high school has not fully set in until we've sung Irish Blessing. We respectfully request that the graduation committee reinstate this meaningful song into the 12th grade graduation program.
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Updates
May 24, 2015
I have been reading your stories about what this song meant for your own graduations and I am honestly overwhelmed by these memories. Please know I am working on a formal request for the committee to review the program again. This progress truly belongs to the community spirit you have all shown.
19 Comments
This has been a tradition since the mid 1990s. Only a few of the early NJHSA graduations did not have this. It's usually the only song that the Chorale sings. As an older alumni, it's a staple and tradition of graduation. I think cutting it will create more problems than those solved.
Irish Blessing is more than a Chorale theme song or a graduation tradition. It's the sending off of the seniors as they jump into the real world and begin the next stage of their lives. It would be a pity to take away from them.
The Irish Blessing is a gorgeous melody and a tradition that I look forward to hearing each year at NJHSA 12th grade graduations. The song serves great meaning for the graduates as well as their families and friends. I think that eliminating the song from the program would be a heart-wrenching loss for all involved. Please reconsider your decision.
As a chorale alumni who has sung this song twice for the seniors, and once for myself, please allow chorale to sing this blessing song. It is a powerful tradition and is not something that needs to be changed. I understand that change hurts, but let's not change what is excellent for the sake of obtaining something different. Different is able to be achieved while maintaining this tradition.
One of my favorite end-of-the-year traditions has always been singing "Irish Blessing" with Chorale before the seniors leave us. It is our last chance to sing together in Chorale and it is always a special time for us. Also, so many other people look forward to hearing it every year. Would you please consider keeping this timeless piece in the program? Sincerely, Melissa
The Irish Blessing is like our school colors. It just needs to be included!
Why wouldn't we want more blessing? (Not-so-famous quote by Pat Yates about having more kids.) I digress. Seriously, though, if it's not mandated in the graduation guidelines and/or by-laws of NJHSA, then I guess it's up to the committee. (Did anyone check the graduation "requirements"? We may have covered this in a previous year.) What a privilege to share our views and petition, yes?! Thanks be to God, we are still able to voice our opinions in this country! My position? Each year's chorale students would happily ask God's blessing on the graduating class and their guests in this traditional rendition, if invited, because they want to bless us. It is always a touching and powerful witness. They have blessed folks with this song in many settings, big and small, on three different continents. A song, like a picture, paints a thousand words. People will know that these kids are praying for them and they will see what it is to pray a simple prayer. I, personally, would sorely miss it. I hope the tradition is not lost by the time my youngest son graduates in a few years.
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
We the undersigned have become aware that the "Irish Blessing" has been cut from the graduation program this year. This has been a long-standing NJHSA Chorale tradition that means so much to us. This is not only a beautiful song but it adds so much meaning to a graduation ceremony, as it speaks of God leading and protecting those going out into the real world "until we meet again." The reality of graduating high school has not fully set in until we've sung Irish Blessing. We respectfully request that the graduation committee reinstate this meaningful song into the 12th grade graduation program.
Updates
May 24, 2015
I have been reading your stories about what this song meant for your own graduations and I am honestly overwhelmed by these memories. Please know I am working on a formal request for the committee to review the program again. This progress truly belongs to the community spirit you have all shown.
19 Comments
I recognize that maybe the singing of the Irish Blessing isn't the most inclusive aspect of the program, especially as the graduation classes have expanded precipitously over the last few years... But it's by far the most prominent tradition of the ceremony and carries a certain finality that is not imparted just with the handing of diplomas and all that... Perhaps opportunity to sing could be offered to all graduates?
This has been a tradition since the mid 1990s. Only a few of the early NJHSA graduations did not have this. It's usually the only song that the Chorale sings. As an older alumni, it's a staple and tradition of graduation. I think cutting it will create more problems than those solved.
Irish Blessing is more than a Chorale theme song or a graduation tradition. It's the sending off of the seniors as they jump into the real world and begin the next stage of their lives. It would be a pity to take away from them.
The Irish Blessing is a gorgeous melody and a tradition that I look forward to hearing each year at NJHSA 12th grade graduations. The song serves great meaning for the graduates as well as their families and friends. I think that eliminating the song from the program would be a heart-wrenching loss for all involved. Please reconsider your decision.
As a chorale alumni who has sung this song twice for the seniors, and once for myself, please allow chorale to sing this blessing song. It is a powerful tradition and is not something that needs to be changed. I understand that change hurts, but let's not change what is excellent for the sake of obtaining something different. Different is able to be achieved while maintaining this tradition.
One of my favorite end-of-the-year traditions has always been singing "Irish Blessing" with Chorale before the seniors leave us. It is our last chance to sing together in Chorale and it is always a special time for us. Also, so many other people look forward to hearing it every year. Would you please consider keeping this timeless piece in the program? Sincerely, Melissa
The Irish Blessing is like our school colors. It just needs to be included!
Why wouldn't we want more blessing? (Not-so-famous quote by Pat Yates about having more kids.) I digress. Seriously, though, if it's not mandated in the graduation guidelines and/or by-laws of NJHSA, then I guess it's up to the committee. (Did anyone check the graduation "requirements"? We may have covered this in a previous year.) What a privilege to share our views and petition, yes?! Thanks be to God, we are still able to voice our opinions in this country! My position? Each year's chorale students would happily ask God's blessing on the graduating class and their guests in this traditional rendition, if invited, because they want to bless us. It is always a touching and powerful witness. They have blessed folks with this song in many settings, big and small, on three different continents. A song, like a picture, paints a thousand words. People will know that these kids are praying for them and they will see what it is to pray a simple prayer. I, personally, would sorely miss it. I hope the tradition is not lost by the time my youngest son graduates in a few years.
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I recognize that maybe the singing of the Irish Blessing isn't the most inclusive aspect of the program, especially as the graduation classes have expanded precipitously over the last few years... But it's by far the most prominent tradition of the ceremony and carries a certain finality that is not imparted just with the handing of diplomas and all that... Perhaps opportunity to sing could be offered to all graduates?