Saturday, June 14, 2014

Class of 2014

Graduation at their school is an event unlike any other... it's a celebration that cannot be contained, for students that are inspired and inspiring, from a place that supports, and respects everyone. This was Bambi's day to graduate from high school, and we were honored and happy to share some of that day with her and her family.

She's a talented Ballerina, disciplined, and graceful. She speaks Japanese, and is a gifted, hardworking artist. She's quietly kind... the sort of person who shows up ready to help, lend a hand, do the job, aid a friend, get things done. She knows all about bats, and loves them dearly. Seriously... a real chiropterologist! Bambi is great fun to have around, a friend who feels like one of the family. We feel excited for this time in her life, and happy for what lies ahead.

We arrived early. You almost cannot arrive too early to one of these graduations. And we didn't want to miss a bit!

Maria remembered the last SDA graduation: Bring spirit, bring shade, bring water, bring patience, bring lunch, bring your camera! And get there early!

We saw a few more familiar faces, dear friends. Cassidy M... this young woman is going places! And it was a happy pleasure seeing her at back to school nights, Sky Consortium parties, movie nights, here, there, everywhere! Congratulations, Cassidy!

What the Sukes?? It's our Albanian exchange student, all dolled-up and ready for her European summer adventure. But first she's gotta cheer for Grant's UCSC Banana Slug graduation, this morning! Yo! Grant! Congratulations!

We saw some Foxes, and some Shaws, and Saakes, and Swits. We cheered for Serena, Stacia, Peri, Powers, Gregory B., and Terren B. I remembered little Kristin M., and waved to Celine P. We saw Hannah P., Lauren S., Joseph and Rafael!

We enjoyed catching up with our robotics family, and spotting favorite teachers, neighbors, friends.

Serena S. Karen, she looked radiant and joyful. What a beautiful success you and Tom share.

Special shout-out to Sam W. Sam, from the beginning, when you showed up to work on the parade robot, you impressed me with your smile, your attitude, and your enthusiasm. It has been an honor, and pleasure, to see what you have accomplished... the places you've been and adventures you've embraced. Virginia Tech is really lucky to be getting you this Fall!

Here comes Bambi... squee! The students choose who they'll sit with, so they can have their best friends with them... no alphabetical order nonsense. And they write the words they want read about themselves by the counselors. Songs, poems, gratitude, inspirational quotes, humor, heartfelt reflection... each student is a part of the whole, and the whole is made of many unique and special individuals. It's a treat to hear their thoughts, in their moment.

The day is special, the passage significant, but I am happy to say that there isn't the sense that this is necessarily their finest moment, from the best years of their lives. {That was the kind of nonsense we were fed in heaping spoonfuls when I graduated high school.} They may, or may not, be "exceptional," and I do happen to believe that most students are amazing, and brimming with potential and brilliance... what is exceptional, here, is that they are celebrated for their individual, unique, and own, whole, selves. Expectations are high, and support is strong... I like to think that young people can soar when they have the room to fly, and the ground crew to cheer them to the heights they want to achieve. And from what I have seen of many of these young people, they do rise!

Cheers, class of 2014! Keep moving forward!

3 comments:

judy in ky said...

Many unique and special individuals… it's so true that I see them when I come here. I am inspired and heartened by the young people in your life. It makes me feel hopeful.

ArtyZen said...

I deeply envy your children their wonderful school. I am so disappointed in the schools here in southern Spain, but life here is good and my children are happy, so we are sticking with it and hoping that we are giving them the education they deserve in other ways just now. The most important thing is for young people to believe in themselves and to find inspiration to fulfil their own potential. Good schools and teachers really do help this, don't they? Many congratulations to Bambi and all your lovely friends. Axxx

warren said...

It sounds like such an awesome school...so many neat things you have written about goings-on there...congrats grads!