The Graduate!

I guess I've just lost my desire to be witty and provoke thought and emotion, at least for the meantime....it's too damn hot to think too much LOL! So I haven't updated my blog....but to make a long story short...on May 22nd, 2009 my baby girl graduated from high school!

I remember her 5K graduation like it was a few yesterdays ago. I still have that little rolled up diploma and the cap she wore. You probably can't see it, but she had a gumball machine ring on her finger in this picture. Wow! Time flies and kids grow! Who knew?

Hailey's high school graduation was held at Samford University, a college across the street from Homewood High Schooll. We were all so excited because Hailey will be the first one in our immediate family, since our parents, that graduated from high school the traditional way: I dropped out (pregnant with my son) and took my GED. My sister dropped out (pregnant with her oldest daughter) who also dropped out (pregnant with her first son) and took her GED. My son dropped out because he was being harrassed by the administration at Clay-Chalkville High School over his appearance. I personally went up to that pos school and told the assistant principal he was driving my son to be a drop-out when he was trying desperately to finish his education. Well he did drop out but passed all of his GED tests in 2 tries. Not the way to do it, but we all did it...but we were all so excited to see Hailey walk across the stage in her cap and gown to receive her diploma! Doing it right!

First I would like to say that I am SO glad that I made the wise decision to move to Homewood when Hailey was in the 5th grade. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. Homewood has a stellar school system and I'm so grateful that my daughter can say she has a Homewood education. Had we stayed where we were, she would have wound up at Clay-Chalkville (I have much ill-will towards CCHS students and their families that stemmed from a 1st round playoff football game in 2006, but that is old news and I've already blogged about it so I won't go there - but I will say that we won and they didn't take the loss in a sportsman like way).

So before going to the ceremony I wanted to take some photos of Hailey in her cap and gown. We went down to Homewood Central park with my Mom. The wind was blowing like crazy and Hailey was not too happy that her hair was getting mussed!

I still got a couple of good pics though...

We were still way too early to go to the ceremony so we went back home so she could freshen up her hair and makeup. Afterwards she was a little happier and obliged me with a few silly poses.

So we were off to the auditorium to meet up with my son and my sis and her gang. More photos were taken.

Finally it was time for the graduates to go get lined up and for us to get inside and find seats. I started to feel that anticipation when Pomp and Circumstance started to play. The graduates filed into the auditorium, in alphabetical order from both sides of the the room. My VERY TALL brother-in-law was able to snap a pic of Hailey coming in.

Once all of the grads were seated they were a sight to behold! A sea of blue caps!

The ceremony was finally underway. It was LOOOOONG! Several honor grads spoke (some gave excellent and even funny speeches, some were a little boring, some a little too self-promoting). The principal and some other school administrators spoke. The principal honored the parents of the graduates and asked us to stand. I very proudly stood up and I'm sure Hailey's Dad did also (he was there but we never saw him). Finally it was time to hand out the diplomas. The principal took several minutes to stress to the crowd how important it was to keep quiet and to hold all applause and hooting/hollering/etc until all of the graduates had received their diplomas. They went up by rows as they had rehearsed that morning.

By the way, while Hailey was gone to rehearsal I went out to buy some balloons for her. While in CVS asking the lady to show me the balloons they had, I got choked up as I tried to explain to them that my daughter was graduating. It was quite funny that I couldn't even say the words without getting a lump in my throat. I set up the balloons and a couple other little gifts I had bought for her so she would see them when she got home.

So back to the ceremony....Hailey is a 'W' so we had quite a wait. Most people stayed quiet as we were told, but a few hollered and were given stern looks from the principal.  Finally, I heard the announcer call my daughter's name...I was frozen! I saw my beautiful, grown-up daughter walk across the stage, shake the principals hand and receive her diploma...just as I heard my son let out a ripping "YEAH!" At which point he was immediately approached by a Homewood police officer who I thought was going to remove him from the premises, but luckily he got off with a strong admonishment. Whew! I was secretly glad that he did it though because it was cool!

Finally all of the graduates had their diplomas and were back in their seats. They were told to stand and the principal presented the 2009 graduating class of Homewood High School and instructed them to move their tassles. Yeah! Now we could all holler and we did! The applause was deafening and I was SO, SO, SO, SO very proud!

Then the graduates exited the same way they entered to go back to the 'secret place' to turn in their caps and gowns and get their actual diploma (the leather case given to them on stage was actually empty because they wanted their caps and gowns turned back in - clever)! She got to keep her tassle though and she got a rope for 4 years in band and a little card, like an id card that says she's a high school graduate. How cool is that?

Afterwards we had planned to go to Cheesecake Factory for dinner. The whole motley crew! We had a blast and although we were ALL watching our money it was still so much fun! I don't think we have all EVER gone out to dinner together! Hailey was glowing!

It was a very fun night!

So high school is all over with and I'm feeling a little sad. It's so strange to think I'll never go to the school again. But what I'm going to miss most is band. The thought of no more band camp and football games and parades and trips makes me really, really sad but I have tons of great memories and they are all preserved in photos and videos. Being in band was such a huge part of Hailey's high school experience and mine. To have the honor and privilege to march in both the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade AND the Tournament of Roses parade in her 4 year tenure is something she will take with her throughout her life! And I'm so thrilled that I was able to be there for both parades! It's all a testament to the school system, the fine arts program and the extremely dedicated band directors!  I asked the band e-mail lady to keep me on the distribution list. In the fall, when I get the e-mails about picking up uniforms and shoes and practices and the first football games, I'm probably going to cry, cry, cry. But I still want to be a part of it. That is just something that never leaves you. It gets in your blood and in your heart and soul if you let it...and I did.

So now Hailey moves on to the next chapter in her life. It's going to be great! I know it will take some time for her to come to realize that she misses high school....kids live in the moment and right now they are ALL just glad it's over...but that reflection will come....in time...as they mature.