Tailgates and Tanlines: 8th Grade Graduation

Today, Morgan officially graduated 8th grade. Chances are, you are probably thinking the same thing I was... why would they have an actual graduation ceremony with caps and gowns for 8th grade? You still have at least 4 more years of school at that point, and 8 years for those going to college....12+ more years if you are going into medicine or law! But this is the last year of Morgan's private school. It used to run Pre-K through 12th grade, but the last senior class consisted of only 4 graduates. Josh's dad was the commencement speaker at that ceremony, and it was a very short ceremony lol! The valedictorian and salutatorian made up 50% of the class! So after that year, which was probably 4 or 5 years ago, they cut out high school and had the 8th grade as the last class. So for these kids, it IS a pretty big deal to be leaving. A lot of them came to this school 5 or 6 years ago, but Morgan has been there for 12 years, since Pre-K, and with each grade consisting of only one class of 11 kids on average, they all know each other REALLY well. So they always do a graduation ceremony for the eighth-graders leaving the school.

The ceremony was held today at 11am, and it was pretty nice. They put together a slideshow of all the kids, and each student talked on the show about what they will miss most, what their favorite bible verse is, and what their goals are for the future. Then they had the valedictorian and salutatorian speak, and the athletic director made a speech. After he spoke, Morgan sang onstage, SOLO, which she was terrified to do but did really great! Then they received awards and their diplomas, and finished up with an Olive Garden luncheon for all the kids and parents. Josh and I ate elsewhere afterwards, but it was nice to sit with everyone and catch up. Morgan's mom, grandmother, brother, Josh's parents, Josh, and I all attended...we've made MANY trips to that school over the years, whether we were dropping her off, picking her up, attending Spring/Winter musicals, or watching her cheer or play soccer. Next year she will be attending high school, and her first public school ever. I know she's nervous but I hope she really embraces the next 4 years of her life, and enjoys this next chapter!

Morgan's slideshow: