8th Grade Promotion

Jeremy has been at my parents' place for the past week, helping Travis and Dad with to-do list projects around the farm. He brought Mom and Dad back here with him today for Annah's 8th grade promotion ceremony. Thank you for coming, Gram and Krampa!!

I will admit that we have been pretty vocal about how unnecessary we think 8th grade promotion is.  However, the more I think about it, I am kind of glad they do it.  I don't think they need gowns and rehearsal and the band and choir performing at an evening ceremony.  But, there are no honors or awards assemblies for these kids at all during their 3 years of junior high.  Maybe they could just have an assembly or an awards banquet instead.  Anyway, it was a nice ceremony after all.

Sylvia enjoyed playing with the 6th and 7th grade band for the processional and recessional.

Annah walked in with her classmate Audrey.

I think there are between 40-50 kids in her class.  

The class president, Jalen, gave a speech reminiscing about elementary and junior high moments and encouraging all the students to look forward to their high school years.

The choir sang, "Go the Distance," with the 8th graders taking one verse on their own.

Jeremy got some good pictures of the choir...

Annah was recognized as a runner-up for the Math department award.

And she received the department award for Science!  She took HS science this year and really enjoyed it again. Miss S has been a great teacher, and we hope Annah will get to learn from her again in high school.

Annah also received the Outstanding Scholar Award, which goes to the student with the highest combined GPA during 7th and 8th grade.  We knew she had earned all A's, but there are 10-12 other kids who also consistently earn high honors. So we were a little surprised when Annah's name was called, but are very proud of her.

All of the students went forward to receive their certificates of promotion to high school.  

They were called individually by their full names, and were addressed as the Class of 2019, 

and presented as the "newest freshman class of RHS."

Annah, receiving her certificate from Superintendent G.

Proud grandparents with the outstanding scholar! We are all grateful for their support and encouragement!

Goofy band director photobomb!

Our girl.  Love her so much.

Annah and her sweet friend Alexis

Proud parents

The whole fam!

Back home for some ice cream cake and a quick pic with the awards...

It was an exciting evening, for sure.  We are proud of Annah, for sure.  She says her goal is to be valedictorian of her class when she graduates from high school.  Right now, she think she may want to major in music in college.  She says she would like to attend Olivet.  

While these are all wonderful goals and dreams, we encourage her to enjoy her high school years--activities, friendships, learning--every part of it.  If she changes her mind about her goals and dreams, or they don't come out exactly as she imagines them now, we will be just as proud of her as we are right now.  

Annah is really excited for the coming adventures of high school...marching band, vocal jazz ensemble, fall play, scholastic bowl team, spring musical, etcetera.  She will be a busy bee, and she is ready and looking forward to all of it.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord..." - Jeremiah 29:11-14a