When the word Graduation is said, thoughts of senior year, diplomas, and caps and gowns surface. However, where exactly does the age-old tradition of the graduates wearing caps and gowns come from?

The gowns, technically referred to as ‘academic dresses’, are used to symbolize greater amounts of wisdom and knowledge. They actually originated in 12th century Europe. When the students would graduate the rooms would often be very cold. Hooded robes were worn, to keep graduates from having to wear excessive clothing. Later on, they became the staple of graduation apparel.

The square, flat caps the graduates wear have a different backstory. They became popular in the 14th and 15th century, not only worn by students. They were worn to represent knowledge, intelligence, or sometimes talent. Artists, composers, teachers, etc. wore them.

Nowadays, they are worn by graduates to represent all the knowledge they have gained in their schooling. The caps and gowns’ color is chosen usually based on the colors representing the school the graduates attend.

On May 24,  at 7:30 pm in John Wrenn Stadium, the Perry seniors of 2016 will be graduating. Concluding their time spent learning here, they will be donning caps and gowns of red and blue, the colors of Perry. The orchestra will play, chosen people will speak, the graduates will walk and receive their diplomas, and most importantly, they will finally be done with high school.