Sunday, May 16, 2021

Sylvia's Commencement Ceremony

Today's the day! Sylvia Claire's graduation from high school!

We really could not be more proud and in awe of our daughter and who she has become and what she has accomplished!  She is so driven, empathetic, caring, forgiving, analytical, humble, talented, enthusiastic, daring, sweet, funny, and lovely in so many ways.

We had a quick lunch with the Mc fam who came for the weekend.  Jeremy grilled some brats, and we had lots of leftovers from the open house yesterday. It was so wonderful to have them all here, and we wish we could've spent more time with them in the midst of the busy weekend!

Sylvia drove herself and Caeden and I to the school. The graduates had to get photos before the ceremony, and the band had to set up and get their instruments ready.

Isabella, Sylvia, and Alexis taking their instruments out to the band's spot for the ceremony before going to get their class photos taken.  The last time they will play in the band...

It was the absolute perfect weather for an outdoor ceremony, thank the Lord!

Junior high band members played with the band for the ceremony.


Caeden and his buddy Miles, goofing around in the band before the ceremony

The graduates processed in and sat in the stands, 
while the audience was seated on the track and football field.

Departmental awards were announced, and Sylvia received the Science and Foreign Language departmental awards as well as the John Phillip Sousa (band) Award.
She is also the winner of the Erthel Rose Scholarship.

Principal Burke's speech:

Sylvia's speech was the longest part of the ceremony, and it was very touching. 
She took the opportunity to honor every one of her graduating classmates by sharing what she sees to be some of their best qualities.

Sylvia's speech:

Receiving her diploma from the school board president

Hugs with all the loved ones!
















Congratulations to our dear Sylvia Claire!

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Graduation Open House

We loved having a shared graduation open house with the Helmig family for Isabella and Sylvia!

Their Facebook event invitation:

Their printed invitation for friends at school:

Our printed invitation for Sylvia:

The girls have sweet memories of always having popcorn at each other's houses while growing up, so they wanted to have popcorn as favors for their guests.



Our friend Barb of Living Well United provided a lot of the decor and made beautiful cupcakes and cookies for the party!


Annah arranged and displayed them all so beautifully!










We did some of the setting up last evening.  

Kayla, Caeden, and Sophia tested out the photo backdrop for us.

We were at the center all morning prepping food and realized we needed to eat some lunch!  
The girls tested the sliders.

Making fruit kabobs

The girls did all the setup of the conference room displaying their memorabilia.












Just this morning, the girls found all these art projects they had done in elementary school--same projects, one of each of theirs for this display!



Best friends since kindergarten!


So many special family, friends, teachers, and loved ones came bringing well-wishes!
Mr. Scholp, social studies teacher

Sylvia's cello teacher, Dr. Ransom--who she hadn't seen in person in well over a year!









Mrs. Cichecki--the one who taught Sylvia her sassy ways

G'ma Sandi

Mrs. Bryant--Bloomington-Normal Youth Symphony Director

Grandpa's and Grandma, Uncles and Aunt, Cousins, classmates, friends


It was a wonderful day, and we are so grateful to so many who love our girl!