Yesterday's post on the high price of graduation got proud mom (and USF communication prof) Elizabeth Bell to thinking. Sure, commencement costs could get out of hand, but they don't have to, Bell wrote to the Gradebook:

Let's see. How much for my son's graduation last Wednesday from Freedom High School? No senior picture; I do much better with our digital camera. No year book; his MySpace page serves many more purposes. Yes to cap, gown, and tassel, but all were borrowed from a friend who graduated last year. No class ring; he didn’t want one. (Smart kid to realize that no college student wears a high school ring.) No graduation announcement; he made his own [see above] with his Wacom tablet, Photoshop, and card stock I had on hand.

I'll admit that the twelve stamps did cost $5.04, the Latin honors cord $5, and $9 for the diploma cover. A picture shaking hands with the principal? No way. But I will treasure the image of him making the Welcome speech to the assembly at the Sun Dome. I took it with my digital camera. Total for the evening? $19.04. My son's off to do more important things? Priceless.

Happy graduation week, everyone.