It’s mid June 2012, the weather is getting warm, the sun shines
late into the evening, gardens are flourishing, and students are graduating. It’s
time for another class of thinkers, doers, dreamers and achievers to take that
next step… From elementary school, junior high, high school and college; students
are moving forward into bigger and better things! 
The last couple of days at the flower shops have been a flurry of
activity and we’re not through yet. Local elementary schools order corsages and
boutonnieres for their graduates by the hundreds and proud parents come in in
droves for dramatic presentation bouquets for their smart students. Our
designers have made thousands of fluffy bows in school colors for a last
showing of school spirit!
At our Burlington, NJ location, Steins at Sunset Florist, we have
transformed our front window display into a tribute to the graduating class. Employees
loaned a few key props, like a cap, gown and stole, a diploma, a degree, and a
TON of text books, and we put together the rest. Our concept is, that after all
the years of studying and hard work it’s time to see the wonderful world you
are now ready to be a contributing member of. Maps and globes harken back to all
those geography lessons, now put to good use with a packed bag, ready for sight-seeing.
Our imaginary graduate’s imaginary school colors are burgundy,
blue, and gold (a mix taken from a few of our local schools). We’ve trimmed the
cap in bright blooms for an extra bit of fun and designed a presentation
bouquet to give to our student after the ceremony. Sunny yellow flowers in the
background accent the stole and add a joyful feel with their brilliance.
Globes, maps, binoculars, cameras and a trunk spilling forth with
scarves have our student ready to begin life’s next journey. The stack of weighty
text books is most definitely to be left behind, a glass head donning the
graduate’s cap sits atop them, the mind now filled with their knowledge.
Years of lessons and lectures, friendships and memories culminate
on commencement day. Remember that commencement is a beginning, a start, not an
end. Tom Brokaw said, “You are educated. Your certification is in your degree.
You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of
an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world.”
Congratulations class of 2012!! You are destined for great things!
