This past weekend I attended the sixth high school graduation for one of my kids. This time around, Hectic 18 was graduating…and she made quite a splash. She’s one of the student executive directors of the Reno County Communities That Care organization. She’s spent so many hours volunteering with them over the years it’s crazy. Communities That Care spearheaded a successful campaign to make the Kansas State Fair a smoke free environment. It was a huge undertaking, quite an uphill battle, but one that was successful. The State Fair will be a much friendlier place and vastly more accessible when this policy goes into effect.
She was also a vital member of the undefeated Freshman Girls’ basketball team. She played a pivotal role in shutting down some of the highest scorers in a league filled with very talented athletes. She wasn’t nearly as tall as she is now, but still played an integral role in the middle of the floor on both the defensive and offensive ends of the court. She was a three-year varsity runner on the track & field team, specializing in the 800, 4×800, and Steeplechase. She holds 8 of the top 10 times on the record board in the Steeplechase. She would have definitely broken the record this year, but the new coach opted to drop the Steeplechase from their agenda. She played all four years on the volleyball team as an outside hitter. The latter half of her Senior year she was drafted into the middle blocker position. While her number of kills dropped off, her impact on the team as a whole was amazing. She brought an energy and positive attitude to a team that sorely needed her leadership.
In the classroom she was a straight-A student. Quite an accomplished considering that she pursued the Full Diploma International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum. The seven Full IB students in her class are her second family…and oftentimes were her first family. They’re a great bunch of kids, and Hectic 18 has been an integral part of the group. Their late-night study sessions were counterbalanced by social events, such as their Prom, where the entire group chose to be together. She was one of the officers of the National Honor Society, active in several other academic & social clubs, and generally made a huge mark at the school.
Unlike most schools, being one of the top two students has no bearing on speaking at graduation. In the midst of studying for IB finals, she wrote a proposal to speak at graduation. She was one of two students who earned the honor to speak. While the entire graduation was fun and exciting, seeing her on the “big board” above the dais was something else.
She plans to attend the University of Kansas in the Fall to study elementary education and business. Her plan is to become a teacher and shape the next generation. She’s already well on that road!
Here are some more pictures from her graduation weekend:
The seven IB kids are a goofy bunch, but so much fun. They roped their Principal into a photo, and then got into a huddle to prepare for their last IB exam the morning after graduation.
Because we’re an odd bunch, Hectic 18 got shoes for graduation. Eight pairs of shoes, one pair for every day of the week plus an extra pair for the giant next step that she’s taking. She did an awesome job looking excited for every single pair!
While we’re going to miss her a ton when she’s away at college, she’s close enough that we’ll get to see her some. More importantly, she’s chasing a dream and will continue to be larger than life!
Your daughter has achieved so many wonderful things – you must be so proud. I love her graduation presents. Fantastic idea! #MyCapturedMoment
The graduation presents finally left the living room after nearly two months in residence! She wouldn’t move them out until she’d worn all of them. It took a while!
Thanks for coming over from #MyCapturedMoment. So many great photos on that linky!
Ah such a special captured moment! Congratulations to her. My daughter is studying primary education in England, she loves it, good luck to your lovely girl x
Lisa, thanks for commenting. It was a special one. You’d think after six high school graduations they’d seem mundane, but they’re not! Sorry I took so long to respond…I’m a slug 🙁
Make it a great day!
Amazing girl! Happy Graduation! Continue being awesome =) #MyCapturedMoment
She is amazing, gets it from her mother mostly! Thanks for commenting and coming over from #MyCapturedMoment
Make it a great day!
Congratulations to the graduate. Gosh, looking at those pictures makes me think back to my HS graduation – it seems so recent in many ways… definitely not 17 years ago! (Now I’m going to go cry a little bit) 🙂
Sorry I made you cry, but I understand completely. As I was writing the post I kept thinking back to my high school graduation (in 1981!). The photos showed a lot more hair and starry eyes that looked into the future. It’s been a fantastic ride since then…nothing like what I expected…but amazing nonetheless.
Wow! Congratulations to your amazingly dedicated and talented daughter. You must be so proud of all her achievements. These photos are so special and I’m sure will be pride of place on your wall very soon. Thanks for linking up to #MyCapturedMoment xxx
Heledd, thanks for popping by from #MyCapturedMoment. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Also, thanks for the kind words about her. She is such a hard worker and accomplishes so much because she’s well organized. In that respect, she’s my role model!
Gosh, what an amazing young lady – I can see why you are so proud of her!
Thanks for linking up to #TWTWC xxx
Wow! Congratulations to you all! I love how proud you are of her, so touching!
Congratulations on your newest graduate! #PoCoLo
Thanks Jennifer. We’re so very proud of her. She’s destined to do great things. I learn so much from her because of her awesome work ethic.
Thanks for popping over from #PoCoLo