On June 16th, Cassandra had her 8th Grade Graduation. A big deal! All 8th Graders were to attend a formal Sayonara Breakfast at the Butler Officers' Club on Camp Foster. Due to space, all students were only allowed to invite two guests, and both Chris and I were planning to attend and beam with pride at our outstanding daughter's graduation.
Well, the day before, Isabella came down with fever and as it anyway was difficult with getting the kids to the neighbor at 7am, as we had to leave then to be at the Sayonara Breakfast at 7.30am. My neighbor and friend Rheo, were planned to take Ben and Bella to the school bus at 7.50am to get to their last day of school. Now with fever, it wasn't easy on how we should do it. For Bella to stay with Rheo wasn't an option, as she too has two little children, and to drag Bella out to school bus with Ben, then back and then in the car to get Rheo's 4 year old to the preschool was just too much.
So we decided that Chris would drive Cassie and I down to the Graduation, as I still was very sore from the surgery and didn't know if I would be able to drive that far and being in stress in the morning. This way, we would get there, and Chris could just take the little ones out for breakfast and hang out with them until 10am, when the Graduation was supposed to be over.
Very disappointing for him not to be able to attend, and of course also for Cassandra, who had looked forward to have us both there, but I'm grateful that at least I was able to attend, and share pictures with him later.
Pictures of our stunning daughter before leaving in the morning!
A quick picture outside in the morning.
Already hot and humid as you can see, my camera fogged up right away! As we were just finishing up the rainy season here, we were so happy that it wasn't pouring down!!
Ready to go inside and enjoy the graduation!
Just as we came inside and found out where our seats were, we found Zachary that was sitting with us at the same table. His parents weren't able to attend, so it was nice that he could sit with us and not be alone. That way I could also take pictures and send to his parents of when he was getting his awards.
In line for the breakfast buffet.
During the breakfast, they were showing random pictures of the yearbook on the big screen, but also all the baby pictures and pictures of all the students today. Didn't get a picture of Cassandra's baby picture, but managed to snap a picture of her on the big screen.
At 8.30am, the Graduation ceremony began with colors and Flag bearers. The school choir was singing both the "Star Spangled Banner" and the Japanese national anthem, known as "Kimi ga Yo" (His Majesty's Reign; 君が代 in Japanese). Very beautiful!
After a couple of speeches from the Principal, Student Council President, several students with poems and other anecdotes from the past school year, it was time for the Awards. First, the students with Honor Roll were called, to receive their awards.
After that, it was time for a few other students to be called. They were presented with the President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. It was only presented to a few, and it was with teary eyes that I went up to take the pictures of Cassandra receiving this amazing award.
How proud I am of this girl! To get this award was just a little recognition of all the hours spend, long evenings and full weekends of studying.
Don't think for a second that her high grades comes easy! Especially not this year! It's been very tough, she has had High School Credit classes, the higher more difficult classes, in several subjects, and the hardest ones were Japanese and Algebra in math.
To continue over the whole Middle School with a GPA of 4.0 is not something that is given to you- that is earned with a lot of hard work and dedication!!
They get Grades and Awards every quarter, and before when they have gotten them in the school, they have been awarded something called "Principal's Award", which is only given to the students with a GPA of 4.0. As Cassie had missed a few points on one big Japanese Test just before the end of last quarter, she dropped to a B+, and missed out of the Principal Award due to this. Therefore she had looked forward to get the Principal Award on the very Graduation, as it would be such an honor to be called in front of all the students and parents to receive this award. BUT, they didn't give this award out at Graduation due to the fact that they gave out the President's Award. Of course that was a wonderful award for her to receive, it still would have been great for her to go up there and get the confirmation of her hard work to keeping her grades on top!
Here she is receiving the award of completing Middle School.
After the awards, there were a few more speeches, and the
Principal totally hit the point when he told the students to love their parents. To love, to appreciate, to spend time with them this summer. That the parents will always be there for them, they are always on their team when friends come and go, family will always be there. Many teens tend to brake away from the parents and families to spend the time with friends and boy/girlfriends instead.
The Principal then continued with
telling the parents to love our students. To love, to appreciate and spend time with them this summer. We only have them for about another 4 years. When High School is done, they will leave for Collage or go out in the world for other adventures. These coming 4 years will pass by so fast, and
I couldn't keep my tears away just thinking about it, that time is passing by so fast and that she soon will be on her way out to concur the world!
After the ending speeches, it was time for the students that came with bus to leave and go back to the school on the Air Force Base. That was another thing that made this graduation a bit sad for the students. The Middle School that Cassie has attended, has had students from different bases. Now, going into High School, all the kids will be split up, as the USMC have their own High School on the USMC base Foster, and all the other High School students will attend a High School on Kadena Air Force Base. So, a lot of Cassie's friends will now go to a different school on a different base. And with the schedule that they have, there won't be a lot of time to meet and hang out during the free time either..
Cassie and Zach will now be on two different High Schools come August.
Cassie recording the choirs performance.
Cassie and friend Ellie will be on different High Schools too.
Luckily one of her friends will be on the same High School!!
Cassie and Elizabeth - Great students!
Pretty in Peach!
Cassie with her favorite teacher Mr. Golden.
He made every Science lesson into an experience and great fun. Loved and trusted by all students - something not easy to achieve by teenagers in Middle School!
My amazing, wonderful, bright, smart, kind and absolutely stunning daughter and her biggest fan!
Shortly after 10am, Chris came to pick us up. He and the kids had had breakfast too, and he was rushed to go to work. Always..I was very grateful that he was able to take the kids and drive us, as I wouldn't have wanted to miss this event for anything in the world.
As we had to rush in the morning, I took a few more of her coming home.
Hot and humid with thunderstorms in the afternoon.
All natural nails, just got a painted french tip with peach colored glitter done at the salon the night before. To look pretty and presentable all the way out to the fingertips..
Award signed by the President of the United States
The pin from the President.
Letter from the White House.
Letter from the Department of Education
Only the best students were handpicked by the counselor to be "Habu helpers"
to the new students coming to the school.
This girl has worked so hard all year. She truly deserves a wonderful Summer break. "Summer, summer summertime, here she comes!!!
