Annah's Graduation Day!

Today was the big day: Annah's graduation from high school!

The stage was nicely set.

Upon arriving at the school for the commencement ceremony, the students donned their caps and gowns for portraits.  I hadn't thought about ordering/paying for any professional photos, so I just walked down to the other gym and took a few of Annah for myself.

Family had been arriving all day, and gathered in the gym for the ceremony...

Tessa, Uncle Travis, Grayson, Aunt Erin, and Bryce

Simon, Aunt Marti, Lucy, Tony, Uncle Eric, Joey, and Andrew 

found a spot up at the very top of the gym!  

Charlie, G'ma Sandi, Grandpa Lopshire, Krampa and Gram, Jeremy (mimicking one of Annah's childhood portraits we came across last night while setting up for her open house) and I sat in the reserved seating for family on the gym floor.

Jeremy spotted Hannah and Amanda Jassman up at another top corner of the gym!  Hannah attended Ridgeview through elementary while her dad pastored churches in Colfax and Arrowsmith, until they moved into Bloomington to plant a church. It was so neat to see them, and Annah enjoyed talking with them after commencement.

Sylvia and her horn friends, ready to play in the band!

Caeden, tuning the timpani, and feeling a little pressure to play the first loud drumroll to start the ceremony!

Teachers, school administrators, speakers, and board members stand to welcome the graduates.

Our favorite graduate in the processional!

Superintendent welcome

Dr. Epperson

Mr. Kellar was the alumni speaker. He spoke about working hard, loving what you do, and giving to your community.  He even pulled out a project Annah had done in one of his junior high classes!

Mrs. McDowell shared about special honors the graduates have received.

Illinois State Scholars standing for recognition

8th grade choir students got to sing with the concert choir, as they had also sung the song the seniors chose (Breakaway) last year at their concert.  It was extra special for us, as it was the one time all 3 of our kids sang together in the Ridgeview high school choir!

The seniors lined the front of the stage in their caps and gowns, 

making a border behind the rest of the choir.

National Honor Society students standing to be recognized

VIDEO: Annah is presented with the National School Choral Award

RJ Benefiel gave a great Salutatorian speech about trying to come up with a name for their class as a group.  He decided on Class of 2019: Class of Friendship.

He even had a funny little shout out to Annah, making a joke that she was so musical that "we'll be lucky if we make it through this ceremony without her breaking into song."  When he wrote it, he didn't know she was actually going to be singing during her speech!  

Mr. Campbell introduced Annah, and asked her, while reading her list of awards: what in the world is the "Best Wind" award for?!?!

VIDEO: Mr. Campbell's introduction of Annah as Valedictorian

VIDEO: Annah's speech


That moment when you're so proud you think your momma-heart might burst right out of you...

VIDEO: Annah singing to her classmates at the end of her speech

You'll Never Walk Alone

The seniors joined the band for their last performance.
They played Fate of the Gods.

Mr. Campbell addressed the students one last time.

Presentation of diplomas

Ryleigh and Grace, co-class presidents, gave a funny speech.

Tassels were turned from right to left!

Students could purchase a spray of the class flower, white alstroemeria, to give to loved ones they wanted to show appreciation to.  Annah gave one to me and her daddy, one to Krampa and Gram, one to Grandpa L (who then gave it to G'ma Sandi), one to each of her music teachers.

And then the recessional...

It was a wonderful 2-hour long commencement!