Derek's High School Graduation

Helen leaving for her last day of the school year early Thursday morning

Album for these photos

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Derek had to be at the school early Thursday morning for graduation practice. Afterwards, they gave the seniors a nice packet with words of wisdom and encouragement from the school faculty, as well as the "senior letters" from friends and family.

Derek gave us a hard time about doing the senior letters, but he seemed touched and appreciative after all was said and done. Helen and I each wrote our own letter to Derek. It was a struggle and we would tear up any time we talked about it. 

Nini also sent a nice note to Adam

Chef says school's out and he's not cooking

Dagwood's for pizza

Derek leaving early Friday morning for graduation

We left a little later for the 8:30 am ceremony at the Infinite Energy Center. All the county high schools use the arena for their graduation ceremonies. Helen has been to too many as a teacher, but this one's special because it's her baby.

 

County big wigs, school administrators, and teachers lead the way

The music starts and the tears flow

Jennifer, the salutatorian, and Alice, the valedictorian, lead the students in

Derek in the front row

 

Turning of the tassel

Derek watching his classmates proceed out of the arena

It happened so fast. This moment is surreal. This is it. The last time this group of friends, who shared goals that once seemed almost impossibly distant, will be together. Each leaving to make their own way.

 

 

 

Now to find Derek in the crowd. Hard to do when they take the kid's cell phones from them for the ceremony.

Ryan's heading to the Naval Academy in a few weeks

Connor, Tyler, and Derek

 

 

Back at home

Derek and Tyler getting ready to go kayaking with some friends

 

Ippolito's for lunch Saturday afternoon

The graduation ceremony was so early Friday morning, making it hard for Helen's family to make it, so we hosted a lunch Saturday afternoon to celebrate.

The graduates (Lindsay is graduating to middle school next year)

 

The guest of honor, Derek, left us for some other graduation festivities with friends, but everyone else came over after lunch for some dessert