Mass at 7 pm. Monsignor Heinz officiated and had some good, sound wisdom to share with the kids. I wonder if they heard a word of it.
Arianna was awarded the Domel Award. Actually she and her friend Bridget B. won the award for girl's highest grade point average between 6th and 8th grade. She earned a 3.96 (if memory serves me). Sharon and I weren't surprised. She received straight A's this year and almost the same last year. We were recently told by St. Ed's Academic Administrator that Arianna had one of the highest school entrance test scores of the Freshman class.
It's great she shares the award with a friend.
There's not much to say about this evening.
Yes, it's only elementary school. --She had to complete it. But, it's the beginning of Arianna moving out into the broader world. In as many years as she attended St. Catherine's, she'll be a college graduate.
Many changes are in front of us.
Just moments before the sky opened up and it began to pour down rain.
Proud Momma -- Sharon really spent a lot of time helping Arianna with her studies . . .
Arianna and Aunt Myra and Uncle Lester . . .
Sharon congratulates Ryan S. . . .
One of many group pictures . . .
Domal Award winners: Bridget B. and Arianna . . .
Arianna, Owen S., and Peyton J. . . .
Arianna and Mrs. Schmidt, one of her first teachers . . .
Back at home, Arianna looks at the gift bag and opens a few gifts and cards from family . . .
Happy, successful grad . . . but she's not really done . . . school play is next week!
Arianna had to go to school today for graduation practice. They were required to wear their uniforms.
This is it . . . no more photos of Arianna heading off to St. Catherine of Siena school.
Sharon prepared her a hearty breakfast: French Toast . . .
One last photo . . .
Views of the bed at the front of the house. We call this bed the Cottage Garden.
Arianna returned from Springfield around 6:30 this evening. She had a great time and a lot of stories to tell about what she saw and the shenanigans of her classmates.
Today the Arianna and her classmates had to meet at St. Catherine's bright and early to get on the road to Springfield. The 8th Grade Springfield Trip may not be for an especially long time, but I think it's a great perk.
We arrived at the school at 6 am. Needless to say most of the kids were rather subdued.
Way too early for Arianna!
Parents of the Class of 2014 . . .
And they're off . . .
Sharon met up with Sharon at school today when the 8th graders transitioned their NJHS roles to next year's 8th graders. In the past, this event took place in the evening.
Arianna read a short essay about character.
Students are selected for NJHS based not only upon their academic success, but also the ability to model exemplary behavior, and strive to be of service.
Class of 2014 participants: Reno D., Peyton J., Erika N., Bridget B., Arianna, Mike H.
Home to participate in the Recognition Mass at St. Catherine's. After Mass, Mrs. Link, the school principal, spoke to each of the student's accomplishments and activities. Also, she shared a piece of information about what each of the students wanted to be when they grow up. This, from a school project that took place in 1st Grade.
Since Sharon had to teach, Arianna and went to the church alone. Grey, cold, snowy morning. Everybody was taken by surprise by the weather.
You really don't know just how sentimental you are until your child graduates from one phase of life to another. It's a time of endings -- regardless of whether Winter wants to let go or not.
How this worked was each child was called up to the front of the church, accompanied by a wee one, who presented the prospective graduate with a certificate.
Mrs. Link then read a few words about each child's accomplishments and activities.
Arianna involved herself in Daisies, Brownies, was a Little Thespian from its inception, played on the girls volleyball team in grades 6, 7, and 8. She was a cheerleader in 6th grade. She was selected to go to History Fair in DeKalb in 6th grade. And, she participated in the Illinois State Scicen Fair ni 7th and 8th grade -- winning awards both years, including the honor of advancing to national competition this year.
Arianna was asked to participate in the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) in 7th and 8th grade. And, earlier this year won a monetary award from the local VFW for her essay on what the United States of America means to her.
As for what Arianna said she wanted to be when she grows up in 1st grade . . . she wrote that she wanted to be a "Mom". Arianna was the only girl who wrote that all those years ago.
Sharon naturally . . . and all the hours with Tommy and Huck and the Dove family.
After the event on the church, 8th graders and parents adjourned to the community room, where a slide show of photos collected from almost all the parents was played. I'd spent a lot of time going through my photos. A lot of the slide comprised photos from me because I had shots not only of Arianna but Arianna with other kids. While in the early stages of the slide show Sharon showed up from WCC and enjoyed recollecting the years as they flitted by on the screen.
