Yesterday was Ally's formal graduation from middle school. They had an outdoor ceremony to hand out diplomas and will post a video next week with speeches and a film of the ceremony.
It was a lovely day. Each student with two guests and just a handful of teachers. Following the ceremony parents hosted a picnic at a local park for the entire class.
Ally had a half day of school and had 2 of her friends come home with her for the hour before they had to be back for the ceremony.
Ally all ready before she put on her gown.
Ally with her friends Juli & Brianna.
They squished in the back of my car for the 5 block drive to school. We had planned to walk but we’re running late.
A family photo!
Ally & Erik.
They went to preschool together and attended all 10 years at Amigos together. That is them at their Jr Kindergarten orientation 10 years ago. Ally is going to miss Erik next year.
Parents picture.
They 3 girls, Ally, Brianna and Juli met up with their pal Penelope. These 3 girls have been really kind and supportive and good friends to Ally this year.
Ally & Ellie
Olive & Ally
Ally & Daniela
The crazy scene of 8th graders and their families.
Students all lined up. Ally is next to Lexie and Simon.
Receiving her diploma from the mayor. The students were allowed to decide how they wanted to be announced. Nickname, middle name, etc I asked Ally what she chose and she could not remember but we all smiled when Alejandra P.-l-mer was read.
After the ceremony there was time for more pictures. Nelson was one of the teachers aides in Ally’s JK class 10 years ago.
Jim was Ally’s kindergarten teacher. He retired after Ally’s class.
Chris, another classmate from JK. Back then his older brother picked him up everyday. His brother was a Sr in high school then and he and I would chat a bit waiting for school to get out. Now his brother teaches 4th grade at Amigos!
Clemens & Ally
Sophocles & Ally
And one more without gowns with Juli.
The cake!
Ally with her 1st grade teacher.
Ally played lots of volleyball and even soccer for a while. We were some of the first to arrive and the last to leave. That’s what happens when you’re the room parent. I’ve been room parent for 10 years. Lots of people thanked me for my organizing and communication over the last 10 years. I never thought way back in JK when I signed up for room parent that it would have been something I would be doing 10 years later. It’s been a long run and I’m ready for it to be over. Today I used the funds I collected from families and bought teacher gifts for the end of the year. My last act as room parent.
We got home around 730PM. Exhausted but it was a good day.
Ally had a couple of gifts to open.
She was so surprised with Great Aunt Martha’s & Great Uncle’s Phil’s check.
And happy to get a new necklace from her moms, a gold butterfly.
And finally this picture of Ally. I took this on my phone before we left for the ceremony. Her friends were rushing to get ready and she humored me with a quick picture in front of our house.
She is so beautiful and so very strong. She didn’t win any awards and her struggle the past two years was done in private. But I could not be more proud of her. She has worked so hard and continues to work hard everyday and I will forever be grateful that I am her mommy.
