It has certainly been an eventful last two years. Patty got out of public schools and was very fotunate to get the opportunity to attend St. Paul’s for the last two years. On Thursday, June 2nd we all gathered around to watch her class graduate from the 8th grade. It was her Great Grandmother, myself, Eddy, and Kristy. It was held in the church at St. Paul’s, so there were prayers and readings from the bible. It is very important for everyone to be there on days like this, because it is their day.

It was a great graduation. Several of the 8th grade class who have been attending St. Paul’s since the first grade got to speak during the graduation. They related how they had not only spent the last several years with the same students, but also with the same teachers. It was very interesting to hear from some of the 8th graders who had spent nearly their entire lives at this school getting to stand up and say a few words at the graduation.

The 8th grade class all sang a song at one point. I do not know what the song was, but I enjoyed it all the same. They also recieved awards for things that they had accomplished. They have a tradition of handing out roses at one point during the graduation. The students all go around the church and hug their parents, the priests, teachers, and other students and hand them roses. It was really nice.

The graduation came to a close and everyone was out in the lobby. There was a lot of commotion. There was a reception after the graduation with a slideshow of all the pictures they have taken throughout the years. There was cake and punch. There was not a whole lot of reason to stay, because it was really the last time for a lot of the students to say good bye to each other.

We all left Patty at the reception. She was not at the table anyway. She was far too busy running around goofing off with all the kids. They were supposed to have a dance at some point. The kids are all pretty much going their separate ways now. There are a few options in Catholic high schools in the area, and some of the students are going to be going to public schools in the city that they live.