Today was quite the day!  Brittany graduated from Still Middle School!  We went over to the school early to get a good seat and they made all the parents stand outside the door until 10 minutes before the graduation was to start.  🙂  There were some parents grumbling.  It’s funny how seriously people take some of these things!  🙂

Anyway, Brittany was part of the program and went up on the stage to introduce an award that was going to be given out.  This year, the ceremony was all student run and it was neat to see that.  Ben DeMaso was the MC who introduced everyone, and students (like Brittany) came up to introduce their parts of the program.  Brittany did a great job, spoke up loud, and you could hear her really well.  She sounded very confident!  🙂

One of the most prestigious awards that you could receive as an 8th grader is the Rotary International Service Award.  We were sitting there and all of a sudden, Brittany’s name was announced as a finalist for the award!  We perked up and listened…  They then announced the winner and it was Brittany!  🙂  What a great honor!  She came up and received the framed award and was VERY surprised and happy!  🙂  To get this award, you need to have been determined as a person who extends yourself in volunteer and service efforts benefiting your fellow students, and have made the school a better place be.  In order to be eligible, you need to be nominated by a teacher.

After her award and a couple others were presented, they started with the actual graduation ceremony.  They decided to split the 8th graders up into 2 groups and hold 2 ceremonies because of the numbers and lack of seating space in the gym, so the actual ceremony went pretty fast.

Afterward, there were many pictures and people hugging and crying and spending time reminiscing about the year.  The thing that really stinks is that many of these kids are going to be split from many of their friends next year as about 30% of the kids will go to Metea and the rest will go to Waubonsie.  Brittany also has a friend who is moving away to India soon and she won’t get to see her again.

Brittany with some of her fellow presenters on the program.

Brittany with Marc DeFarno, one of her core teachers.

Brittany and Christina Guillano

Great job Brittany, we are very proud of your accomplishments!  Keep up the hard work next year in high school!  😐