At a prestigious school costing $33K per year in
Texas
The girls’ graduation goes beyond being merely an event; it’s a time-honored tradition that’s absolutely picturesque.
With
graduation season
Across America, students are fully immersed in beloved customs and celebrations with their peers, cherishing these last times they spend together as they prepare to move onto the next phase of their journey.
The much-anticipated event comes into focus with vivid school-color-themed confetti, extravagant decorations, and post-celebrations.
Every year, numerous festivities inundate social media with images of triumphant graduates, joyous families, and campuses turned into settings marked by poignant farewells and promising fresh starts.
However, in Dallas, no graduation pictures draw as much attention as those from The
Hockaday School
In Dallas – demonstrating time and again that they could be ahead of the online game.
At this esteemed, girls-only college preparatory institution,
graduation
Traditions aren’t merely maintained; they’re raised to an artistic level, showcasing a stunning mix of grace.
At the beginning of this month, the school commemorated its
111th Commencement,
In the majestic event where 124 young women walked across the renowned Ashley H. Priddy Commencement Terrace to be awarded their degrees, the ceremony was both elegant and impressive.
A standout and magical aspect of the event is the students’ clothing – they wear long white gowns along with broad-rimmed hats, every one adorned distinctively with carefully selected blooms.
This age-old custom, tracing back more than a hundred years, turns the ceremony into an animated garden of colors and personal flair, rendering it genuinely memorable for both the graduates and online audiences alike.
Initially presented by Ela Hockaday in 1914, the white gown continues to be an enduring choice for each young woman walking across the stage, as per
Hockaday Fourcast
.
Her selection of white dresses carried significant intent—to capture the essence of Southern charm while also acknowledging the accomplishments of the young ladies who wore them.
As stated by archives manager Emily Embry according to the report from the outlet, ‘She aimed to infuse the old Southern charm while demonstrating that the school cultivated refined, educated women,’ referring to Ela.
‘The fact that they were all adorned in stunning white dresses really made it feel extra special,’ she said.
Selecting the graduation dress each year is a thoughtful process of its own – each year’s design reflecting the unique spirit of the graduating class and the moment in time they step across the stage.
“The most thrilling aspect for me is contemplating the fashion trends back then and pondering why these particular young women opted for this specific gown among countless others,” Embry stated.
The preparation starts way ahead of time, beginning in June, with a senior’s parent taking up the crucial task of organizing the outfits for each girl.
In 2013, Nancy Winston, a proud alumna of Hockaday Class of 1982, embraced the challenge as reported by Hockaday Fourcast.
She started her quest at Stanley Korshak’s bridal section, where, assisted by a staff member, she whittled her choices down to about five or six gowns, each embodying a distinct design aesthetic.
However, before these dress options are presented to the senior class, they all need to get the approval of the Headmistress first.
“One of the most distinctive features of the Hockaday graduation ceremony is that the entire senior class has the opportunity to cast their votes,” according to what Winston stated, as cited by the source.
‘Everybody appreciates that the dress should flatter everyone who wears it.’
Next arrives the highly anticipated moment: the gowns are presented to the graduating class during a cherished yearly fashion exhibition, followed by the students casting their last ballots.
However, no Hockaday graduation ceremony would be the same without the iconic sun hats — large, broad-rimmed, and individually crafted by every graduate.
Although the caps might appear to be an adorable addition, numerous graduates view them as touching tributes to their predecessors who trod the same educational journey.
Following the transition in 1991 from colored to white hats, individuals sporting an heirloom hat strikingly emerged against a backdrop of white—quiet but potent markers of kinship.
“I believe it’s not about the hat’s color; rather, someone has held onto this hat for three decades, anticipating the next graduate,” Nancy stated according to the Hockaday Fourcast.
‘The only thing that mattered was paying tribute to your mother, sister, grandmother, or aunt, regardless of whether anybody else noticed.’
This year was only the fifth instance in the school’s 111-year history where graduating students could choose to sport both a conventional cap and gown alongside a colorful headpiece.
People Newspapers reported
.
At first, there were worries that abandoning the consistency of the outfits might diminish the ceremonial symbolism following the choice made in 2021.
However, numerous students believed this alteration enhanced their feeling of cohesion. Each year, several classmates ask for different clothing options—typically due to religious convictions or issues with body image being the main factors.
Sidney Kronbach, from the 2022 graduating class, collaborated with several fellow students to push for this modification.
‘It was wonderful for me to witness the level of support the petition garnered within our year group and even further afield,’ Kronbach stated, according to People Newspapers.
‘The most important thing to me and a major reason I support the decision is that while the single white dress is supposed to symbolize unity amongst the senior class, there is nothing unifying about someone feeling excluded.’
Although the graduates all don identical white gowns and perform the same beloved tunes – key components of the Hockaday legacy – every young woman’s uniqueness now shines through the colorful blooms adorning her headpiece.
Kate, who was a Hockaday senior in 2013, referred to the flower selection process as ‘demanding’ yet captivating, according to the Hockaday Fourcast report.
‘Selecting flowers for my hat was likely one of the toughest fashion choices I’ve ever had to make,’ Kate shared with the publication.
‘As I consulted with the florist, numerous questions popped into my mind. Which colours should I choose? How would I feel about my flowers a year from now? Or even ten years down the line?’ she mentioned.
In the end, I settled for what seemed like my personal choice at that instant.
The archives manager, Emily Embry, observed that this procedure has undergone significant changes over time.
Previously, graduates were limited to choosing from whatever blooms the florist happened to have available at the time. Nowadays, the girls can select from an extensive range of colors and styles.
It aids in showcasing the individuality of each girl,” Embry shared with the outlet. “It’s particularly delightful to observe them enjoying themselves.
This year, along with the sophisticated ceremony, the girls delighted in special additions such as bespoke hat-shaped biscuits adorned with vibrant hues and heartfelt messages of congratulations.
A student delivered an uplifting address to her fellow ‘sisters,’ emphasizing their common journeys through womanhood in front of loved ones and kin.
‘Even though we’ve reached great heights, there’s still so far for us to progress,’ graduate Alex Blue Baron stated in her address, which was uploaded online.
school’s Instagram page
.
‘To be a daisy is about blossoming completely,’ she went on.
During an emotional speech, Baron spoke to the audience about the difficulties associated with change and emphasized how their collective time at Hockaday has united the graduating class forever.
“And members of the Class of 2025 — keep your origins close,” she remarked, surveying the visages of her fellow students, gathered as one perhaps for the final occasion.
No matter how tall you become, you will always be a daisy.
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