The Graduate
From Adventures in Odyssey Wiki
| 405: The Graduate | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Season | 1998 |
| Album | 31: Days to Remember |
| Aired | May 23, 1998 |
| Written by | Phil Lollar |
| Directed by | Phil Lollar |
| Produced by | Unknown |
| Sound Design by | Todd Busteed |
| Music by | John Campbell |
| Prev: Hide and Seek Next: Malachi's Message, Part 1 | |
[edit] General information
Theme: Prayer, Belief, Standing up for what you believe in
Scripture: Mark 11:24 See more with this reference
[edit] Summary
Connie wonders whether she should defy her principal and pray at graduation. Eugene remembers with sadness his high school career.
[edit] Plot
Just before graduation, Connie Kendall is called in to see her advisor, Miss Hartl, and is informed that she has been chosen to be class valedictorian for Odyssey High School's 50th graduation ceremony! Her excitement is soon tempered, however, when Principal McFadden tells her that the prayer she offers in her graduation speech must be inoffensive to all students. He offers her a pre-written "acceptable" prayer that has been used before. Connie is shocked at being asked to hide her faith. She is even more confused when Miss Hartl advises her that she and other staff members, who feel this is an issue of religious persecution, will support Connie if she decides to defy the principal and mention Jesus in her prayer.
In the meantime, Connie's news that she is valedictorian is greeted with glee by Katrina Shanks and Whit, who both offered valedictory addresses at their graduations, but Eugene is ashamed to admit that he was not valedictorian of his high school. It wasn’t because of his grades, but because he was unwilling to compete with Larry Kent, who not only had good grades, but was a very popular football hero and homecoming king. The other students mocked Eugene because he didn't fit in. Eugene even refuses to help Cody with his math homework because he now feels inferior to Connie.
Katrina locates Larry Kent, who tells Eugene that he and many other students were inspired to academic success by Eugene's brilliance and gives him an honorary valedictory certificate from his alma mater.
Eugene, Katrina, Whit, Tom, Jason, and Jack all arrive to see Connie’s graduation and notice that she looks nervous. When it is Connie’s turn to speak, she explains she has chosen not to pray, for the first time in 50 years of graduation ceremonies at Odyssey High School, because she is not allowed to express her faith freely and will not defy the authorities because of that faith. The crowd is awed into silence, but soon shows support for her stand by singing a hymn.
[edit] Discussion Questions
- Why wasn't Eugene the valedictorian of his school?
- Why didn't Connie want to say the prayer the principle gave her?
- On the other hand, why was she concerned about saying her own prayer?
- What factors led Connie to her decision not to say a prayer?
- Do you agree with her decision?
- Why or why not?
- Do you agree with her decision?
[edit] Cast
[edit] Notes
- There is a 1967 movie by the same title.
[edit] Reviews
| What did you think of The Graduate? (0 vote) |
[edit] Quotes
[edit] Resources
The Graduate on AIO Soda Fountain
