A student at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA was just honored by his parents for just doing what he was supposed to do and graduating high school.
The sign was secretly ordered and installed while Thomas "Tommy" Baldwin was at school on Thursday, partly because they wanted it to be a surprise but mainly because his parents knew just how much their son would have hated it.
After seeing the sign, Thomas (who hasn't gone by Tommy since 6th grade) slowly walked past the sign and up his front walkway, muttering "Jeeeeeezuuuuuuus" under his breath. He knew that graduation photo shoot would come back to haunt him.
This sign would be a reminder of his lack of motivation and terrible work ethic, probably up all summer while he looks for entry-level, dead-end jobs.
Earlier this week, Thomas Baldwin was making fun of signs like these, telling his friends they are a weak symbol of mediocrity. Families with kids who have accomplished nothing now are finally getting to celebrate something. It's sad, he said.
You know who doesn't have one of these signs? The class valedictorian. Her parents are used to her greatness and don't need to cheapen her accomplishments with a shitty 15$ sign.
For weeks, Thomas has pulled up to his home and felt relief everytime that his lawn was empty, devoid of any half-assed celebration that he did nothing but show up every day.
But now....there it was. With those stupid glasses and his goofy grin. That photo was never supposed to see the light of day.
And now here it is, out on the lawn for all to see. Yes, everyone, I graduated high school. So did Alex the drug dealer and Elizabeth, who missed half the year because she was pregnant.
He thought about scribbling his weak GPA on the sign or his class rank, but was even too embarrassed to do that. It's not that high school was hard, it's just that he didn't really try.
It was worse than not trying. He didn't care at all and did nothing—literally nothing, and the school system just pushed him through. Now here he is, his acting like he's accomplished something.
This sign would be a reminder of his lack of motivation and terrible work ethic, probably up all summer while he looks for entry-level, dead-end jobs.
As he went inside he threw down his bag and met the eager looks of his parents who were pretending everything was normal. Thomas went about his normal business and said nothing.
Mr. Baldwin couldn't stand the anticipation any longer."So, whaddya think?" he asked finally.
"Think about what?" said Thomas icily. "That ridiculous sign out there?"
"Aww honey," said his mom, coming in to give him a hug. "We are just so proud of you."
"Proud of what?" Thomas asked, pushing her away. "Proud that I am barely graduating high school? Proud that I didn't make states for track? Proud that my girlfriend dumped me two weeks before prom?"
"Yes, all of those things, Tommy," said his dad, unsure how to answer.
"I go by Thomas now!" he screamed, slamming his door shut and turning up his music.
After an awkward moment, his mom giggled, "He likes it, he's just being modest."