Pro
By Natalie Fischer / Staff Reporter
The student climbs the stairs of the graduation stage to receive their diploma. After crossing the stage, they give their favorite teacher a hug for what could be the very last time. This moment reflects years of mentorship for the student.
Students should receive diplomas from a chosen teacher as teachers help shape their lives, and it makes graduation more personal.
After a monumental achievement like graduating from high school, students should be able to celebrate with those who helped them along the way. Receiving a diploma from a teacher who has acted as a mentor provides an incredibly meaningful conclusion for students. Diploma distribution can be a way for students to thank their teachers for their support.
Some argue when teachers give out diplomas, it can make teachers who aren’t chosen feel unappreciated. This point, however, ignores the fact that graduation is about the students. Families coming to graduation are there to support their student’s success, not to see which teachers are chosen. Students get one high school graduation in their life; this moment should be shared with a teacher who made an impact on them.
If administrators were to hand out diplomas, it wouldn’t make graduation more equal; it would only make it more impersonal. Also, graduation is unequal in other ways, as students wear cords highlighting participation in different activities. When administrators hand out diplomas, it makes graduation much less personal, as students feel less connected to the administration than they do to their teachers. If students get to choose the teacher who gives them their diploma, they are ensured a personalized, special experience as they walk across the stage.
Graduation is a ceremony representing the transition from childhood to adulthood. Students should be allowed the opportunity to choose the teacher who helps them commemorate the ending of an important chapter of their life.
Con
By Bella Ey / Staff Reporter
The most anticipated moment at graduation is when the students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. While the high school previously allowed for any current or former employee to hand out diplomas, many believe administrators should take on this responsibility instead. Reserving diploma distribution for principals or other school leaders helps to maintain fairness, professionalism and consistency during an important event.
One concern with teachers handing out diplomas is potential favoritism. It is natural for teachers to build stronger relationships with certain students throughout the school year. While this is positive in the classroom, it can create unequal dynamics during graduation. Some students may receive longer recognition, while others only receive a quick handshake. The difference can make the ceremony feel like a competition. Graduation should celebrate every student equally, not highlight personal student-teacher connections.
Administrators also represent the school district and hold more authority. When diplomas are handed out by principals or other administrators, it adds formality to the ceremony. The diploma is not just an individual achievement but an official recognition from the whole school.
Additionally, graduation ceremonies are carefully planned and need to run smoothly. If teachers hand out diplomas, differences in how they interact with students could slow down the process. Some may take longer with students, while others move quicker, creating an uneven and unfair pace.
Graduation is an irreplaceable event that should be celebrated equally for everyone involved. While teachers play a huge role in helping students reach this milestone, having administrators distribute diplomas creates a more professional experience. By reducing favoritism and maintaining consistency, the high school can ensure every graduate receives the recognition they deserve on their big day.
Published and digitized May 2026.
