The Ball Team: Rachel's High School Graduation

22 May 2016

Rachel's High School Graduation

Today is the day. Rachel graduates from Cabot High School - Class of 2016. It's weird. So many parents are just over the top about their kid graduating high school. I just don't see it. I expected her to graduate. I never for a moment thought she would drop out of high school Of course she graduated. Still. It's a big milestone in her young life and it's a big deal. I am proud of her because she finished early. Rachel was finished with her coursework in December and she has been working full time ever since. She will start college in the fall at Arkansas State in Beebe (about ten minutes away) to do her core classes, then transfer to the Little Rock campus to finish her degree - deaf communications.

We all came out - not a really formal affair, as evidenced by our casual attire and Samantha's headwear.

The graduate and the graduate on deck. Tonight is all about Rachel, but, we will be back here this time next year for Samantha.

The empty seats and the filled seats (the class surrounded by the teachers). We went to Verizon Arena in Little Rock. There are 657 kids in her graduating class. I thought it was going to take forever, but, it was very quick and very respectful. Lots of prelude music about growing up and being independent and these are the best of times. I think that was all for the parents. Once the class filed in, we had a prayer and an introduction of the administration, then a nice talk by the principal about how high school is just a beginning. The valedictorian gave a very entertaining speech about how he is just a loser. I'm a loser; you're a loser. We are all only achievers because we have a support system and goals. He talked about how he would fail at something and his mom would push him harder and then he would succeed. He said it just takes work. Life is about work and trying hard. Now get out there and don't be a loser! It was a great talk.