1,734 graduates cross to the next stage.

Byline: Rob Hiaasen

May 31--They are out in the world now -- although still under your roof, eating your food, using your washing machine, still not making their bed, still running up text message bills. Except for all that, your high school graduates are finally on their own.

High schools across Maryland are holding commencements this season. Graduation time anywhere remains an enduring ritual, a formula of processionals, addresses, interludes, introductions, speeches, tassel turning and a whole lot of names read very carefully. Graduation ceremonies rain cliches and advice. Yet, the old customs can still feel new.

For the first time in its history, Merriweather Post Pavilion was the site of five continuous ceremonies in one day -- 1,734 graduates, thousands more family and friends, 80 minutes of "Pomp and Circumstance," 20 confiscated beach balls, countless and elusive air horns, and five appearances by one indefatigable county executive.

From 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday, the Howard County school system, with a lot of help from its friends at Merriweather, seamlessly staged a procession of graduations. Three more ceremonies are scheduled today at the pavilion, but you should have been there Tuesday.

"Life is to enjoy -- not to get through," Howard County Board of Education member Lawrence Cohen told graduates.

Life was both Tuesday.

8:15 a.m.

Cool blue morning at Merriweather. As with rock acts, there is also the load-in for graduation day. Seniors from Wilde Lake High in Columbia have loaded into Merriweather. Back stage (oh, this hallowed ground where Hendrix, Joplin, The Who played -- and there, the "Ronstadt" dressing room), Ronnie Bohn, graduation coordinator, looks like a roadie for Grad Fest. The former principal at Mount Hebron High will be here all day and night. She has a chair with her name on it.

8:30 a.m.

The drill begins: Men in dark suits ask guests to refrain from applauding when their child's name is called. This is to maintain the dignity of the occasion. This will be roundly…