Graduation
So, that's it. We had our school graduation this afternoon, and I am officially a high school graduate. It feels a little bit strange- at the same time I'm extremely happy to be done, to be an adult, and yet I'm sad; I'm going to miss the school (that I always used to say I hated), my teachers (especially Profe), my friends (most of whom I'm sure I'll see again)... It all went by very quickly and I can't believe it's already time to say goodbye. It feels like I was just starting to get to know the people in my class as actual people, not just "kids from school."
The morning didn't start out so lovely, though. We were doing our rain contingency practice, in the gym of the 4/5 school. We took a mini-tour of the second floor, getting completely out of alphabetical order because the teachers told us to go to certain rooms... and then apparently we weren't supposed to have gone to the second floor at all (don't you love disorganization?), though it was interesting getting to see our old school (which seems so small and, frankly, cramped and disturbing now). Also got confused over the point of breakfast- after practice we went to the cafeteria except they weren't ready for us, so we had to wait in the auditorium for fifteen minutes... odd day all around. But I got to say goodbye to my teachers... still hadn't sunk in yet.
Came back at 5:30 to prepare for commencement. Got dressed in our robes (mildly uncomfortable- thank god it hasn't been a hot June), got in line... and while we were walking through the building we got to see our old elementary/middle school teachers lined up with us (not all of them, but enough to make a real nostalgic trip). Got out onto the field, with the dramatic music playing... still couldn't believe it. This wasn't supposed to happen to us- we weren't graduates, were we?
The ceremony wasn't bad- we had good speakers, and the speeches were short. My brother and I got called up (the end of the alphabet, woot!), went up to get our diploma holders (didn't get the actual papers until later), and it finally started to hit me. I was done high school, forever. Walking back to our seats, I saw Profe, and he waved at me. I started crying. We sat back down, listened to the alma mater, and then our class president told us "class dismissed." Threw our hats up in the air, and everyone began hugging, screaming in joy, crying, families came down onto the field to take pictures- utter chaos. After taking some pictures with the family and hugging some friends, I went back inside to get my diploma. Saw Profe. Finally hugged him, said thank you- I'm going to miss you. (He's made such a difference in my life. I can't imagine going to school and not having him around to answer my Spanish questions anymore.) Got my diploma card, said goodbye to my homeroom teacher... and that was that. I'm done at PW.
Went outside to find my family, still not believing that I'll probably never set a foot back inside that building ever again (or at least not until our class reunion, if it's held at the school). It's amazing. I never thought I'd live to see this day, or to see past it. I'm very glad that I've proved myself wrong, and I'm excited to see what happens next.
The morning didn't start out so lovely, though. We were doing our rain contingency practice, in the gym of the 4/5 school. We took a mini-tour of the second floor, getting completely out of alphabetical order because the teachers told us to go to certain rooms... and then apparently we weren't supposed to have gone to the second floor at all (don't you love disorganization?), though it was interesting getting to see our old school (which seems so small and, frankly, cramped and disturbing now). Also got confused over the point of breakfast- after practice we went to the cafeteria except they weren't ready for us, so we had to wait in the auditorium for fifteen minutes... odd day all around. But I got to say goodbye to my teachers... still hadn't sunk in yet.
Came back at 5:30 to prepare for commencement. Got dressed in our robes (mildly uncomfortable- thank god it hasn't been a hot June), got in line... and while we were walking through the building we got to see our old elementary/middle school teachers lined up with us (not all of them, but enough to make a real nostalgic trip). Got out onto the field, with the dramatic music playing... still couldn't believe it. This wasn't supposed to happen to us- we weren't graduates, were we?
The ceremony wasn't bad- we had good speakers, and the speeches were short. My brother and I got called up (the end of the alphabet, woot!), went up to get our diploma holders (didn't get the actual papers until later), and it finally started to hit me. I was done high school, forever. Walking back to our seats, I saw Profe, and he waved at me. I started crying. We sat back down, listened to the alma mater, and then our class president told us "class dismissed." Threw our hats up in the air, and everyone began hugging, screaming in joy, crying, families came down onto the field to take pictures- utter chaos. After taking some pictures with the family and hugging some friends, I went back inside to get my diploma. Saw Profe. Finally hugged him, said thank you- I'm going to miss you. (He's made such a difference in my life. I can't imagine going to school and not having him around to answer my Spanish questions anymore.) Got my diploma card, said goodbye to my homeroom teacher... and that was that. I'm done at PW.
Went outside to find my family, still not believing that I'll probably never set a foot back inside that building ever again (or at least not until our class reunion, if it's held at the school). It's amazing. I never thought I'd live to see this day, or to see past it. I'm very glad that I've proved myself wrong, and I'm excited to see what happens next.