The Fireflies' Light

Third year's graduation seemed a bit easier this year. Not as cold, fewer sleeping parents, but still lots of tears and bowing. Instead of walking to Carpenters, it was a nice classical piece. After the typical speech [all graduation speeches are the same, regardless of language], we all sang the school song, the national anthem, and the nifty "Fireflies' Light."

Hotaro no Hikari is set to Auld Lang Syne's tune. But instead of old reunions, this song is about a dedicated student who studied by the fireflies' light in summer [and the moon shining off the snow in winter]. Now he is moving onto to bigger and better things-- so of course it's a tradition at graduations.

After the graduating students and their parents leave the gym, the remaining students and teachers scramble to clean up. It's actually kinda fun, and there's definately a sense of community. Once the clean up's done, you can track down your fave 3rd years, fresh from their homeroom goodbyes, and snap some pics.