A Grafton High School graduate will wear his Marine Corps uniform in place of the traditional cap and gown at his graduation ceremony after the district made an exception to its practice of what graduates normally wear.
Peyton Wissmueller completed his high school education at Grafton High School early, allowing him time to complete basic training for the U.S. Marines in May – before his June 7 high school graduation ceremony.
In a statement emailed to a reporter, the Grafton School District said it heard recently from some community members asking whether a graduate could wear a military uniform instead of the traditional cap and gown normally required. The district said that, to recognize the student’s military service and community feedback, it would make an exception to the policy.
The district said while its practice has been for graduates to wear the same attire at the ceremony to reflect the graduating class’s unity, it also recognized the significant commitment military service represents.
“We believe this exception appropriately honors that commitment while maintaining the focus of the ceremony on the entire Class of 2026,” the district said in its statement.
The district also said there are six Grafton High School graduates who will join the military after graduation and looks forward to honoring them during the ceremony.
The district added that it honors veterans and service members other times of the year such as through Veterans Day assemblies and Military and First Responder Appreciation Night held in partnership with the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce.
How Wissmueller decided to join the Marines and wear the uniform
Wissmueller said he had a gut feeling he might want to join the military, since his father also served in the Marine Corps. Other family members also served in the military in the past. He said he set himself up to graduate early from high school to make that happen.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve always admired my father and the brotherhood that he and his buddies that he served with had, and I always just wanted that for myself,” Wissmueller said in a phone interview June 2.
He finished high school in January. In March, he shipped out to San Diego for basic training, which he completed May 29.
“I’m very happy with myself but not satisfied so far. I still have a long ways to go personally, but looking back, I definitely feel like I made the right choice, and I’m proud of that. I’m right in the position that I want to be in right now,” Wissmueller said.
Wissmueller said he wants to wear his uniform to represent the Marine Corps, himself and also inspire others. Three friends he played football with are also going to the Marine Corps this summer, and there are other people in his graduating class going into the military.
“I hope that I can just serve as an inspiration to them that it’s possible no matter how hard it gets, be that face for Grafton and my country and all that because it’s something I take good pride in,” he said.
Wissmueller said his parents handled a lot of dealing with the district about whether he could wear his uniform the week of May 24 since he was still in basic training.
“It sounds to me like Grafton hasn’t seen this in probably ever, someone graduating early and then asking to wear their military uniform,” he said.
“They never said that I can’t wear my uniform or anything. They just weren’t sure about it in the policy or whatever, and obviously as a member of the military now, I understand more than anyone the importance of uniformity and policy.
“So with that, they were nothing but respectful during the entire process and they got right on it … to figure it out and yeah, they were very helpful and respectful to me and my family about everything and figured it out,” he said.
Wissmueller said it was a “big relief” to be able to wear his uniform.
“I’m very, very proud to be able to wear my uniform and grateful that they decided to let me because with the whole policy thing, they definitely could have decided otherwise. I’m grateful for that,” he said.
Wissmueller said when asked about what message he had for others: “There’s very few things that you’ll do in your lifetime to bring the amount of pride and honor than it is to receive entry into the military, personally[the] Marine Corps, obviously. I hope that other people want to earn it.
“What got me through basic training was that the sun always sets, and it’s a new day at the end, no matter how hard it is. A quote that my football coach would always tell us is ‘Father Time doesn’t stop ticking. So if you have a goal in mind, you will reach that if you keep moving forward,'” Wissmueller said.
Contact Alec Johnson at 262-875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on X at @AlecJohnson12.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Grafton High School graduate to wear Marine Corps uniform for graduation
Reporting by Alec Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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