Please keep the essay as it is, but add any necessary details to enhance its clarity. Reorganize the essay so that it is easy for my professor to understand the discussed topic. Remove any repetitive information. I have a checklist that includes an introduction, a thesis, three main points, a conclusion, and all the required resources needed to ensure the essay is supposed to be 1000 words. Please ensure the essay is correctly formatted with MLA citations and that each paragraph is indented. Below are the things that I want you to add to the essay:

CHECKLIST:

- Ensure that the essay has an introduction and a thesis statement.

- Define what a rite of passage is and provide some examples.

- Share your personal experience of high school graduation in the essay.

- Reflect on your life and write about a formal and societal rite of passage that you have experienced. Please include details such as when it occurred, the setting and purpose, and the culture it was a part of. Also, could you describe how Van Gennep's categories were represented in the rite?

- Could you explain your status before the rite and how it changed afterward? Was it a powerful or life-changing experience for you?

- Finally, could you restate the thesis and summarize the main points in the conclusion?

Five Resources:Sutton, Lenford. "A Legal Overview and History of High School Exit Exams."International Journal of Educational Reform, vol. 15, no. 4, Jan. 2006, pp. 493-500.EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b15f0ae5-b153-3432-8f28-18ca4f33b64d.

Schmidt, Taylor. "High School Graduation Rates: A Concern for Everyone."BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education, vol. 13, no. 3, Jan. 2021, pp. 17-20.EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=39ed26cb-dbe6-354e-b553-7625591fe274.

Chaney, Bradford, et al. "Influencing Achievement Through High School Graduation Requirements."Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, vol. 19, no. 3, Oct. 1997, pp. 229-44.EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b3e94555-5a0a-3dae-997b-fee444ed3a69.

Castellano, Marisa, et al. "Achievement Outcomes among High School Graduates in College and Career Readiness Programs of Study."Peabody Journal of Education, vol. 92, no. 2, Jan. 2017, pp. 254-74.EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=e62b8717-4800-3a8a-9576-3cf2877c7298.

Heckhausen, Jutta, et al. "Striving for Educational and Career Goals During the Transition After High School: What Is Beneficial?"Journal of Youth & Adolescence, vol. 42, no. 9, Sept. 2013, pp. 1385-98.EBSCOhost, https://doi-org.libprox.northampton.edu/10.1007/s10964-012-9812-5

link: http://www.d.umn.edu/cla/faculty/troufs/anth1604/carites.html

http://www2.hsp.org/exhibits/Balch%20exhibits/rites/rites.html

Then, I want you to reflect on your life and write about a formal and societal rite of passage you have experienced. In this paper, I want you to do the following:

1. Tell me when the rite of passage occurred.

2. What was the setting?

3. What was the purpose?

4. What was the culture that the rite was a part of? What is its history?

6. What was your status before the rite, and how did it change afterward?

7. Was it a powerful or life-changing experience for you?

In a concluding paragraph, please tell me what you think about the nature of rites of passage in American society today. Do we have more of them? Fewer? Do they have to be religious in nature or do we have many secular rites as well?

Answers: The topic of the Rite of Passage essay, the convergence of religious and secular practices in modern American society, is significant. While traditional religious ceremonies like baptisms, confirmations, and weddings still hold importance, we also see a rise in secular rites of passage. These include graduation ceremonies, milestone birthdays, and cultural traditions like Quinceaeras. Both types of ceremonies are crucial in recognizing critical transitions and milestones in people's lives. The trend indicates an increasing diversity of rites of passage in American society to accommodate a broader range of beliefs and practices.

Note:Please ensure that my essaydoesn't have any repetitiveinformation.I understand the importance of checking every item on my checklist to guarantee that the essay meets the required standards. To achieve this, kindly ensure that my essay doesn't contain paragraphs that exceed half a page. Also, please focus on the specific areas I specified in my essay and ensure they are clear and well-organizedasper my instructions. The essay should be 1000 words and include all the relevant details I mentioned. Additionally, please reorganize it to enhance its clarity for my professor. It's crucial that the essay meets all the requirements and is on point so that I can get a better grade. Thank you for your kind assistance.

THIS IS THE ESSAY - TITLE: Crossing the Threshold Embracing the Journey Beyond High School

Shaking the dust off my gown, I realigned my cap upright and prepped my tassel to look sharp for the day that was bound to happen. As I stood at the threshold of my life that awaited, I breathed nervously. I had a calm embrace of a new embrace that all started with a high school graduation. High school graduation represents an important rite of passage in modern society, marking the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Its cultural significance, personal growth, and societal expectations underscored it. Rites of passage are ceremonial events that signify a transition from one societal status to another. They often involve rituals, symbols, and community acknowledgment. High school graduation exemplifies a rite of passage as it denotes the culmination of formal education and the transition to adulthood, symbolizing newfound responsibilities and opportunities.

In Western cultures, particularly in the United States, high school graduation ceremonies are elaborate affairs, often involving caps and gowns, diplomas, speeches, and the presence of family and friends. Its cultural significance is evident through this event's widespread celebration and societal recognition. Moreover, the cultural context of high school graduation extends beyond the ceremony itself. It encompasses societal expectations regarding education and success. Graduating from high school is not only seen as an individual achievement but also as a societal benchmark for competence and readiness for the challenges of adulthood. This cultural expectation plays a role in how individuals view themselves and are viewed by others in their communities. According to Lenford Sutton's article "A Legal Overview and History of High School Exit Exams," the cultural context of high school graduation is shaped by legal frameworks and historical developments. Graduation requirements, including standardized tests and exit exams, have developed over time, reflecting changing educational priorities and societal expectations. These legal and historical aspects contribute to the cultural significance of high school graduation as a rite of passage. Schmidt's research on high school graduation rates emphasizes the widespread concern surrounding this issue. The graduation rate serves as a barometer of educational success and societal progress, further highlighting the cultural significance of high school graduation. High school graduation is rich in symbolism, representing academic achievement, personal growth, transition, and crossing a threshold into adulthood. Several symbols are commonly associated with this rite of passage: The traditional cap and gown worn during graduation ceremonies symbolize academic achievement and the attainment of a significant milestone. They are tangible reminders of the years of dedication and hard work put into earning a high school diploma. The diploma conferred upon graduates symbolizes more than just completion of coursework. It signifies acquiring knowledge, skills, and abilities that prepare individuals for future endeavors. It is a tangible representation of academic accomplishment and readiness to face the world's challenges beyond high school. The ceremony is symbolic, formally recognizing students' transition from one stage of life to another. It serves as a communal acknowledgment of their accomplishments and a farewell to the familiar high school environment. Speeches delivered during graduation ceremonies often reflect the graduates' journey, offering words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration for the future. Awards and honors bestowed upon outstanding students further emphasize the significance of their achievements and contributions. A familiar ritual during graduation ceremonies is the symbolic turning of the tassel on the graduation cap from one side to the other. This act symbolizes the transition from being a student to a graduate, denoting the start of a new chapter in life. These symbols collectively reinforce the transformative nature of high school graduation as a rite of passage. They celebrate past accomplishments while heralding the possibilities and responsibilities that lie ahead in adulthood. Bradford Chaney et al.'s study on high school graduation requirements highlights the symbolic importance of graduation ceremonies and diplomas within educational policy. These requirements shape the symbolic meaning of high school graduation and underscore its significance as a rite of passage. Marisa Castellano et al.'s research on achievement outcomes among high school graduates further emphasizes the symbolic value of diplomas and graduation ceremonies. Their findings suggest that college and career readiness programs enhance the symbolic significance of high school graduation by preparing students for future success. In conclusion, high school graduation represents a significant rite of passage in modern society. It represents the shift from a teenager to an adult, signifying individual progress, educational success, and societal acknowledgment. Throughout this essay, we have explored the cultural context and symbolism of high school graduation, highlighting its importance as a milestone in individuals' lives and society. From the challenges and achievements experienced during high school to the support systems that facilitate personal growth and development, graduates undergo a transformative journey that prepares them for the opportunities and responsibilities of adulthood. The transition to adulthood is further characterized by pursuing future aspirations, whether in education, career, or personal endeavors, guided by the lessons learned and values instilled during high school. Reflection and celebration are crucial in honoring graduates' accomplishments and fostering community and pride. Graduation ceremonies and traditions provide a formal and ceremonial context for acknowledging students' achievements, inspiring future success, and celebrating the collective journey of the graduating class. As we reflect on the significance of high school graduation as a rite of passage, we must recognize the diverse pathways and experiences that shape individuals' journeys to adulthood. Whether through formal education, vocational training, or other pursuits, high school graduation represents a pivotal moment of transition and transformation, marking the beginning of new opportunities and possibilities for growth and fulfillment. High school graduation is a personal and a societal milestone, reflecting individuals' and communities' values, aspirations, and achievements. It serves as a reminder of the importance of education, perseverance, and community support in shaping future generations and fostering a lifelong learning and growth culture. In embracing the journey beyond high school, graduates carry the lessons learned, the memories made, and the dreams that await fulfillment. As they reach adulthood, they embark on a new chapter filled with endless possibilities, challenges, and opportunities for growth and contribution to society. As we celebrate the achievements of high school graduates, let us also recognize the significance of this rite of passage in shaping the future leaders, innovators, and citizens of tomorrow.