(Cue chamber music group, “Pomp and Circumstance.”)

Ah, commencement, when hallowed traditions of bygone times surface once again.  When silly hats are de riguer, when speeches are long and reverent, and when anything but a certain pensive sobriety is déclassé.

Or not.

While silly hats, long gowns, and the observation of tradition were a feature of the Commencement of the University of Washington, Tacoma Class of 2007, there was also a fair amount of lei-wearing, end-zone dancing, beach-ball volleying fun.