The outdoors…coffee…laptop…and a smile. BEAUTIFUL day this morning. Sky is bright blue with lightly brushed clouds. A cardinal is perched in a tree nearby singing his little heart out. Other birds are chirping as well. Smaller birds are picking at the grass hoping to find some goody for breakfast. The neighbors six ducks are huddled together near the island in the middle of the pond. My big dogs are staring longingly through their enclosure. Little Tiki is on her outside line loudly enjoying breakfast. I think the cardinal has decided to do laps. As I type he is now flying back and forth across the yard. There’s a slight breeze. Not uncomfortable at all. A train disrupts the peace as it sounds its horn a mile or so away.
Last night was graduation. We are not required to attend but I like to. It just seems appropriate to support the students as they finish out their high school career. We had over 300 graduating. One of our deaf students was part of the graduating class. I think it is even more special for the students who overcome their disabilities or life struggles to go across the stage, accept a diploma, showing everyone that they were strong and persevered through adversity to make it. We had one young lady who is MR. She carries a coat hanger everywhere she goes. Walking across to accept her certificate she had it in her right hand proudly waving it across the stage. It was really neat to see the other seniors guiding her where to go, making sure that she was not left out or confused. We have a very formal graduation. No yelling, whistling, air horns, chanting, or distruptions. The crowd is monitored and anyone breaking the rules will be escorted out and charged with disorderly conduct. Seems harsh I know, but it does allow for graduation to take place without detracting from it’s formal traditions. There was a break in the formality last night as one of our homebound students finished her high school career. She is wheel chair bound with no motor control. She can not speak and communicates with her eyes. On oxygen, she is very sensitive to temperature and can not get hot without having severe problems. Fortunately she was able to be a part of the entire ceremony last night. Her assistant wheeled her up the ramp. The students behind her waited at the bottom so that she could come back the way she went. She rolls across the stage when her name is called. There is silence in the convention center. Our superintendent smiles at her and puts her diplomoa in her chair. As she is wheeled back to the ramp and begins to descend the crowd no longer contains themselves, erupting into applause. It was a very special moment that touched everyone. Her eyes showed pure joy at the accomplishment of not only finishing high school, despite all odds, but of being able to have the closure of a graduation ceremony too. The rest of graduation went smoothly. Despite having over 300 students it was complete within an hour and a half.
Now it is time to relax for a few days. There will be a final workday Tuesday. Pretty much just end of year speeches, awards, and presentations the securing our rooms. Not much for me to do since I will be back the next week for summer school. Until then, I’m going to enjoy the time.
Kontan jou to you and congrats seniors 2006!