Hadley's Grade 8 Grad
Hadley's grad was this week. While I didn't know a virtual grad could be so tiring, we did it up the best we knew how!
Stores opened up on June 11th with limits. So we booked an appointment on June 13th to go into Spence Diamonds. We asked Hadley what special gift she would like to mark her graduation and she said... real jewellery.
So, after looking online we found what we thought would be "the" diamond necklace but going in store and trying it on and having that experience was so much more fun! We talked the entire drive. I loved that time with her. It was incredibly special. We don't really drive anywhere so to have this time with her was lovely. In the store, we had the space to look around, we had the first appointment of the day and we could see the sanitation stations and the staff cleaning every time anything was touched. Hadley was thrilled and while we did try on a few options, we did go back to the one we found online and she was so happy!
On the day of grad A... June 24th, The Physical School grad... a virtual event at home.
I guess the prep for this came a few months back when we were trying to figure out the dress.... I thought we were going to order something online so we talked about what style she wanted. All she knew is that she wanted it to go all the way to her ankles. Well, I showed Hadley an old dress that I had worn at a wedding many years ago, and she tried it on to see if it was what she was thinking and after trying it on, she decided that this was "the" dress.
Well, okay then. That was easy.
So on the day of graduation we curled her very long hair which took about an hour, but again, I loved this time with her. She looked beautiful! It wasn't the salon experience that I thought we would be having but special anyway.
Easton got her a grad keepsake for her wallet that had a cute message on it:
Class of 2021
Behind you all your memories,
Before you all your dreams,
Around you all who love you,
Within you all you need.
She also got a mask that said GRAD 2021.
We had a few gifts saved for grad B.
I made cupcakes and got graduation cupcake toppers from Amazon delivered to make for a special treat.
It was so much fun to watch Hadley watching the memories track online as she was able to chat with friends from her school that she has known for so many years.
Also, a few weeks back we were asked to submit a few sentences to be read when she was on screen. She thought that was quite special.
Afterwards we went outside and took some individual and family photos. Of course we all got dressed up. Hadley had some fun twirling in her dress.
On the day of grad B... June 25th, The Virtual School grad... a virtual event at home.
I had arranged for a rental company to come to the backyard to put up yard signs that spelled out ConGRADulations Hadley 2021!
Hadley's friend Kianna dropped by for some socially distant photos in the backyard. The girls had fun jumping, and air high fiving, and just laughing. Then just before the ceremony would begin, we gave Hadley some more gifts. She got a beautiful cat necklace from her grandma and a rose bush.
And the gift that I have been working on since she started school. Every year, I have gotten her homeroom teacher to sign the book: Oh the places you'll go by Dr. Seuss. Last year and this year I got her teachers to email me special messages for the book but maybe in the future I can get them to actually sign the book. We'll see. It was beautiful to watch her open. So much love in this book. She deserved every beautiful word.
The rain was coming so we went outside for a few umbrella photos just for fun and then watched the ceremony.
Noted in both ceremonies were the awards for each student.
Hadley cleaned up this year! She worked hard and wanted to make sure she was ready for highschool. I am so incredibly proud of her 8th grade year!
She received the Platinum Achievement! To be considered for this award you must earn 80% or greater in at least 5 subject areas. Three of these subjects must be an academic subject.
Student Voice award, this award is presented to the students who have demonstrated passon, empathy, and advocacy in areas of their choice. Students demonstrate understanding of current issues in today's society and show interest in making a difference in their tomorrow.
She received the Responsibility award, which is presented to the students who have demonstrated exceptional responsibility this year. These students will have exceeded all expectations in this area of learning skills this year. These students are always counted on to exceed what was expected.
Teamwork award, presented to students who have demonstrated a strong presence and collaborative ethic in the virtual learning classroom. These students have been willing to take the lead in group situations but also recognized the importance of allowing all students to take on their own leadership roles by encouraging them to do so.
The Academic award, presented to students who have demonstrated an overall average of 85% or higher in ALL academic subjects this year. These students also demonstrated exemplary learning skills in all classes this year. The Leadership award presented to students who have demonstrated a commitment to leading by example - in and out of the classroom. Peers positively influenced by these students.
Hadley didn't stop there... she also worked hard and achieved the Knowledgehook Mathalon medal. I couldn't be more proud!
After this ceremony there was a drive thru ceremony at her physical school. We signed up and drove through at our time to receive her diploma, awards and gifts. We were there for about 10 minutes (maybe). She got a nice grad shirt with all the grads' names on the back. Such a lovely keepsake from the parent council. She was thrilled to see the teachers and got to walk the red carpet and the teachers all clapped her out as she walked back to the van. She had the biggest smile under her mask! Her eyes were smiling!
Today we had fun with her trying on my grade 8 grad dress. It fit her perfectly. So funny that I still have it, but super fun to do this with her.
I think she had a lovely graduation and I am thankful we were able to celebrate with her.
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