Graduation is a time for reflection, celebration, and apparently hot glue guns.

As the Class of 2025 prepares to walk across the stage, many students are turning their graduation caps into tiny, wearable billboards. Most people go for the seemingly fun glitter look, others quote famous writers (or Pinterest). And then there are students who would like to just say something real.

For senior Nathalie Collares, she had found an inspirational picture for her graduation cap from one of her favorite movies. One that came of clarity back in the sixth grade, while watching The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Her cap says “NOTHING HATES YOU,”  a phrase worn by the character Patrick, who turns an old insult into something meaningful. To Nathalie it meant something right away.

“I chose this design because this is my favorite movie, and I instantly resonated very heavily with the message. I knew from the first time I watched the movie that this was what I was going to do. no other quotes, or cap designs have inspired me or have related to me as much as this seemingly simple quote does.”

It’s not flashy, or loud, and that’s exactly what makes it quietly powerful.

Senior Cori Baker took a more symbolic approach. Inspired by her favorite book, The Secret Garden, her cap reflects the sense of renewal that Cori connected with during her highschool journey.

“I just wanted something to represent me and the hope that it took to keep going to graduation,” she explains “So I decided to theme it based on my favorite book The Secret Garden since it’s such a beautiful story about hope and healing, I thought it really related and meant a lot to me”.

Cori’s cap is going to feature a bunch of flowers, with one particular taking spot in the center.

“The first one I painted that I knew I wanted to include was a daffodil right in the center, because it’s my birth flower and I love how regal and attention-grabbing they are; like the name narcissus. It’s very fitting because they’re not afraid to shine and stand out, and that’s what I want to embody now at the end of high school”

Senior Sarah Grant found her cap design in something simple and sacred, faith.

“I chose the design of the cap because I love the color combination of pink and green,” she said.

“But what really makes it special is the Bible verse. Psalms 16:8 really spoke to me in this time of graduation because although I was the one doing the work, the Lord was using me as a vessel to go towards bigger things in life, and the first step was graduating high school with a bunch of honors.”

Her cap doesn’t just reflect her achievements, it’s a symbol of the faith that carried her though. “I’m not giving myself all the credit, but really him,” she explains. For Sarah, it’s a personal reminder that she didn’t walk this journey alone, and that her next steps are guided by something greater than herself.

And then there’s senior Aaliyah Callahan, who designed her cap like the final page of a storybook. Glittering blue with fireworks, flowers, and a castle, it reads: “And she graduated happily ever after.”

“My grad cap symbolizes my journey at Stafford High School, which was like a big story that had a big ending,” she wrote. “ “Just like a story once upon a time, I was a freshman. I had major plots, different conflicts, and many supporting characters that helped build me to become the character that I am today.”

Though her path may have taken many unexpected turns, Aaliyah wouldn’t change it. “Stafford gave me the closest fairytale to my reality and so much more,” she wrote.

In a sea of glitter and pop culture references, Nathalie’s quiet, meaningful cap, Cori’s blooming symbolism, Sarah’s heartfelt homage to her faith, and Aaliyah’s storybook send-off each make a statement.

Because in the end, these caps aren’t just decoration. They’re statements, quiet or loud. And before the tassels turn and the caps fly, they say something real… or at least they’re something worth showing off on Instagram.