DHS Class of 2011

Dinwiddie's Class of 2011 has a special place in my heart. Firstly, I've known a lot of those kids since they were in kindergarten. I watched them interact with each other at Skate Nights while they were in elementary school.

They were the first graduating class for whom I got to substitute teach since November. I've watched them prepare college applications. I've read scholarship essays for them. I've given them advice about college.

Class of 2011 was also the largest class to ever graduate from Dinwiddie High School, at about 397 students.

Also, this is the last graduation that I was obligated by law to go to. Not exactly by law, but my youngest sister graduated this year. Not only did she just simply graduate, she graduated at the top of her class! We are immensely proud.

As much as we were looking forward to this graduation, I can say that it did not go as planned. Who are we kidding?; it is Dinwiddie. Has anyone heard about last year's?

Anyway, graduation was slated for Thursday. June 16 at 7 p.m. We arrived at 5 p.m. to get to good seats, since we are the family of the valedictorian. We brought with us huge umbrellas as gray clouds were looming above us with the threat of rain.

It poured down at least twice while we were sitting there. We were then told that a storm was moving our way, but that graduation has not been cancelled. They told us that they will try and get the ceremony started by 7:30 p.m., which was very confusing because it was supposed to start at 7.

Anyway, the weather was perfect from about 7:00 to 7:30 and they finally bring the graduates out. As soon as they were all lined up, it thundered and there was lightning off in the distance. The principal came out and told us that graduation was not cancelled but that they were taking the graduates back inside until further notice.

We sat and waited for the weather to pass. They finally began at 8:10. They opted to present the diplomas first, speeches after that, and to do away with announcing scholarships and perfect attendance awards. It kind of sucked that they did it this way, but at least we finally got through graduation!

My sister, the valedictorian, receiving her diploma.

My sisters and I, all graduates of Dinwiddie High School now!

Proud Big Cousin!

For those of you who know me irl, you know that I absolutely adore my cousins. And I have a ton of them!

On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending my little cousin, Dylan's preschool graduating! You know how emotional people get when they see their eighteen year olds in caps and gowns? Your heart will melt when you see these 4 and 5 year olds in their tiny cap and gowns!

Aren't you melting right now?!?!

Dylan's graduation was especially special because Dylan was born when I was about 17 1/2. He attended my high school graduation when he was an itty bitty thing! We took pictures of little 6 month old Dylan wearing my red DHS cap.

Me, Dylan, & Hollie at my high school graduation!

Three years later, he attended my sister, Dani's high school graduation. He was 3 and a half during her graduation and still didn't quite understand the point of graduation.

In fact, when we told him he had to say "Yay!" when they called Dani's name, he informed us that he wanted to say, "basketball" or "Paul Gasol" instead.

Dylan and Dani - He was tired!

Finally, Dylan made the long trip up to Harrisonburg to see me graduate from JMU (or the school with the big dog, as he calls it)! I have a photo of him (that took some convincing) in my purple JMU cap!

Future Duke?

His graduation ceremony was adorable. The kids recited a poem, sang, and danced!  And there were cupcakes aftwerward! Doesn't get much better than that!

Dylan & I!

Playing catch up!

New site, same me! I've decided to give Blogger a try. I think it will allow me to customize my blog a little differently than Tumblr allows so let's see how this works!

Because of all sorts of reasons, I am so far behind on blogging. So let me try and play catch up!

1. Since my last real post, I turned 23 (on 4/23). I had a pretty low key birthday, but I think that's what happens when you get old! I did get some really nice presents though!
2. I had my interview in Charlotte for the TEACH Charlotte program (5/1). I stayed the weekend with my sophomore roommate, Nikki and had the pleasure of visiting with Daniel, Meghan, Jeremy, and Mike while I was down there.



Bank of America building in Charlotte, NC

3. My cousin, Travis graduated from Old Dominion University (5/7)! I had the opportunity to go to his graduation ceremony and hang out with him, Alicia, Santana, Sam, and Frankie. A good time down at ODU as always.



Travis and I at his graduation



Those are the major things that happened a loooong time ago that I needed to catch up on. Everything else is fairly recent and can probably get its own personal post!

Any advice on how I can be less of an epic fail at blogging? I'm open to all ideas!