As graduation approaches, seniors who have excelled in a particular subject area may have earned the right to wear an honor cord at graduation with their cap and gown.

“[You get an honor cord] because you performed well, you mastered the content. You demonstrated it’s something you’re passionate about,” Assistant Principal Colleen Fields said.
There are honor cords available for the core subjects as well as elective areas and activities.
Seniors should have received an email from Fields with information about how to apply for the honor cords they qualify for. If not, the link to the form is available under Fields’ tab on the Lafayette website and will be available until March 11. Cords will be given at graduation practice with caps and gowns. 

“[If] we hand out honor cords at the end of May, people lose them. So we do them all at once, you only have to take your bag from here to your car to hold, I would hope that you don’t lose them,” Fields said. 

Fields appreciates the value of getting an honor cord. 

“I think it is a great way for you to be recognized for the things that you’ve done the last four years,” Fields said.

But she also doesn’t want to exaggerate their importance. 

“I certainly don’t think you have to be in a corner crying because you don’t get an honor cord,” Fields said.

Guitar teacher and Music Department Chair Traci Bolton agrees.

“Students should think about what’s going to make them happy and academically prepared. If that means getting honor cords, great. We get too focused on checking boxes that we don’t ask, ‘Do I even like this?'” Bolton said.

Some seniors have the same outlook.

“I don’t think I’m getting any honor cords and I don’t really care either. I don’t think I know anyone who does care,” senior Pranav Menon said. 

Even some who are receiving multiple honor cords agree. Senior Ryan Swan is qualified for at least three honor cords. 

“I’m not proud of that at all,” Swan said.

But some seniors appreciate what honor cords represent.

“They make me feel accomplished and rewarded for my hard work,” senior Julia Harstick said.

Graduates looking to subvert the system could just buy some colorful rope off of Amazon. Out of six seniors asked, five said that if they were supplied a roll of fake honor cords, they would wear them at graduation. To them, it’s not much more than a colorful rope. 

“I think that those that put in the effort will be congratulated accordingly. I think those that want to have a good time will do as they please,” Swan said.

For Fields, it’s a matter of respect.

“We really try to do what is most fair and by our standards. I would hope that people would honor that practice,” Fields said. 

Apply for honor cords here.