Graduation 2010

I have been to graduation ever year even when it was not required.   Graduation is my favorite ceremony of the year.  This is not because it signifies the end of the year and beginning of the summer vacation, or even because there are a few students that we are finally rid of (haha), but because it shows that the student's hard work pays off.  I primarily teach freshmen, and as freshmen many students are focused on school work, or even about graduating - it is a very long four years for many of them.  But seeing how the students change and mature over those four years is very rewarding and reaffirms the reason I teach. 

This year's graduating class was the second group of students that I taught.  The highlights for me for the ceremony:

• The counselor having to run under a closing garage-type door during the ceremony to keep open the path for The seniors to enter the stage
• The shoes
• The first year I sat among the students
• Jared, Morgan, Daniel, Danny, Katie, Cameron, Curtis, Travis, Shannon, Michelle, Haylee, Serafin, Jordan, Amanda, Taylon, Kevin, Miguel, Tyler, Danny, Brent, Jeremy and Zac
• The sermons, I mean speeches
• Being able to pick out Joe singing from the crowd - as usual
• Sneaking into the "after-party"
• The first year someone kept a stole that I will most likey not be paid for
• The first year of the ugly stoles
• BEING INSIDE!!! :)
• Standing on the couch with Chonte' to pass out diplomas

I hope all the seniors enjoyed their graduation, and I am looking forward to next year.