Smartmom dressed carefully the morning of Teen Spirit’s high school
graduation. She put on her Spanks and a pretty blue and black patterned
dress paired with a smart J. Crew jacket. She wanted to look just
right. Not too middle aged, not too hip.

The Oh So Feisty One wore a dress she’d bought the day before at
4-Play, a stylish dress shop for tweens and teens in Park Slope.

“I bet I’m going to be more dressed up than Teen Spirit,” she told
Smartmom, looking absolutely scrumptious in a strappy floral dress.

“It doesn’t matter what he wears,” Smartmom told OSFO. “He’ll be in a cap and gown.”

But Smartmom hoped that Teen Spirit would don one of his
grandfather’s ties and a clean white shirt for the occasion. Even
Hepcat decided to dress up in one of his Hawaiian shirts that he saves
for special occasions.

It was, after all, a very special occasion. So special that the
family could barely contain its excitement. There were times when they
never thought they’d see this day. Teen Spirit’s high school career
wasn’t anxiety-free. There were twists and turns and more cliffhangers
than “The Perils of Pauline.”

After all was said and done, Teen Spirit was set to graduate from
the Institute for Collaborative Education on June 23 at the Great Hall
of Cooper Union — and Smartmom and Hepcat were proud.

When Smartmom got to Cooper Union, she saw ICE principal, John Pettatino.

“What are you doing here?” he said.

Smartmom savored the atmosphere of the Great Hall, where Abraham
Lincoln addressed a crowd in 1860. Abe Lincoln, Teen Spirit’s
graduation — this was a historic place, no doubt about it.

She looked around for both her mother and her stepmother. Smartmom
was pleased that two of Teen Spirit’s three grandmothers were able to
attend this momentous event. Bro-in-law was also on hand, although
Diaper Diva was unable to be there due to a work commitment that she
couldn’t get out of.

Smartmom warned her relatives not to expect a typical graduation
because ICE is not your typical high school. A progressive school with
a creative approach to education, the staff is unusually passionate
about and dedicated to its students. And it’s just not your typical
“High School Musical” kind of place.

She also warned them that it might be long.

“Bring a book,” she told her mother.

Smartmom was surprised when she heard the strains of “Pomp and
Circumstance” as the graduating seniors made their way down the aisle.
Expecting something a bit more avant-garde, she thought back to her own
graduation from Walden, a small private school on the Upper West Side,
more than 30 years ago. The 30 seniors in her graduating class walked
down the aisle of the gymnasium to a recording of Papa John Creach
playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on the violin. That version of the
song still makes her cry. In lieu of a commencement speaker, she and
her fellow students were each allotted one minute to speak their minds.

That’s when Smartmom read from the last page of “The House at Pooh
Corner,” the part her Dad loved: “But wherever they go, and whatever
happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the
forest, a little boy and his bear will always be playing.”

But Teen Spirit’s school out-Waldened Walden. When it was time to
give out the diplomas, ICE teachers spoke about every single student —
that’s 50 kids — for three-to-five minutes.

Teen Spirit was lucky that Roy Nathanson, the school’s superlative
music teacher, a jazz musician and the founder of the Jazz Passengers,
was chosen to speak about him.

“Who the hell did you think they’d get to talk about you?” Nathanson apparently told Teen Spirit after the graduation.

Nathanson talked about Teen Spirit’s strong identity as a singer,
songwriter, performer and musician. He called him “a scientist” in the
recording studio and said that he “knew more about that stuff than just
about anyone in the school.” He was proud that Teen Spirit had met all
his graduation requirements and managed to graduate on time. That means
that “you have the discipline to keep your car on the road.”

Smartmom got teary. But that’s what’s supposed to happen at your son’s high school graduation, right?

Smartmom watched incredulously as Teen Spirit in his black cap and
gown walked across the stage to receive a hug from Principal Pettatino,
a yellow rose from the assistant principal and an envelope from the
guidance counselor.

After the ceremony, Teen Spirit disappeared for a bit to hang out
with some friends. Later, they found him outside. He was already out of
his cap and gown and set to begin his life as a high school graduate.
And he was wearing a white button-down shirt and a tie. One of his
grandfather’s.

It was, indeed, a very special day.