Graduation happened a few weeks ago on June 1. It was the my first CRHS graduation, and the first graduation for CRHS ever for that matter. It was quite emotional for me. For about two weeks prior to graduation I was stressed out with my list of seniors that I needed to help get across that stage. I had them in the E2020 lab and working with teachers and others to help them get it done. I was worried about a few, but at the last minute it all pulled together and those kids got it done.
My most heartfelt story probably comes from Brandon F. His sister was my student two years ago and came from a part member less active home. She was struggling through some issues, but expressed her desire to join the church. Eventually she took the discussions and her family attended the ceremony. Her brother made the decision that night to read the Book of Mormon. That summer he was baptized too. Later in August when we moved to the Round Rock Ward, our first Sunday was the Sunday he was getting the priesthood. I felt so excited for him. When I eventually moved over to CRHS, it was his senior year. For the most part he was doing pretty well, but he went through some pretty tough stuff and it began to look like his goal of leaving for a mission in May was going to be thwarted by his not graduating.
He stopped coming to school opting to work full time instead. I chatted with him, but someone discouraged him so much that he kind of disappeared. I tried to get ahold of him, but it wasn't until I sent him a text on my phone asking him to call me that I finally heard from him two days before graduation. I asked him if he still wanted to finish and he said yes. I told him to come back to school and through E2020, he could get all the credits he needed to graduate. He came up to the school with 15 minutes to go on Thursday. I knew it wasn't going to be enough time. I asked if he could come to my house and let me proctor him from my home. Coach P said yes. So, he came over and worked for about 3 hours that night before begging to fall into bed. This was after a full day of manual labor. The next day, he showed up early to school and worked all day. At 5:30pm he came by to tell me he was done. No one could have been prouder for him! I picked him up myself on Saturday morning to make sure he got there on time and got what he needed to walk.
Now he was able to submit his mission papers and get on his way. I'm still waiting to hear the news from him.
Friday afternoon I stopped in the E2020 lab and it felt like holy ground. The emotions were intense even though the room was silent. About ten kids sat at various computers around the room working steadily away. A handful of teachers sat beside a few of them to help tutor them through the courses. Some kids had two teachers - one on each side. It was amazing and my heart was touched to see the sight. How can I describe that feeling? I knew how important it was for those few kids to finish this diploma and graduate. The clock was ticking and time was running out. Their hearts' desire was so strong. The adults in the room couldn't do it for them. We could only help, encourage and continue to motivate them with this last chance to get it done.
They ALL finished. All present in that room that night walked the next day. It was a huge relief. This past week, I spoke with Sister Moya on the phone for a while. She told me that we could little know how important that was. Her daughter found out the day before graduation that she wouldn't graduate due to a few points she was lacking. It changed her life and her path from then on out. Sister Moya told me she has never been the same. Who knows what would happen to these kids if they didn't finish?
I know for one of my students, it would mean the first kid in his family to graduate and go to college. For another it meant a chance at a career and a future. I knew it meant so much. For weeks they were both on edge as their parents called me and begged to know if they would make it. I could only say - we shall see. I think so. They did and it was wonderful.
Graduation itself was great. It wasn't too long, the speeches were excellent. The bagpipe players were a nice added touch. And then there was Todd. I had held it together pretty well until I walked in the procession line and passed Todd's sisters holding his graduation picture. Todd passed away in February and rocked our world. Todd's sisters sat in an honorary spot and were able to walk the stage for him and accept his diploma. It was touching and moving. The students in front of and behind Todd's spot were solemn. I was choked up each time I saw them and was reminded of Todd and his incredible influence on soo many of our students. His loss was truly felt by everyone.
The end of this year finished on such an emotional note that I felt proud to be a part of it. As I sat on the stage and looked out on the sea of black and purple. I thought - "this is it. This is where I'm supposed to be. I feel like I belong and I feel at home." So it is no little thing when I say - I love this outfit and I hope that Ammon truly will be a future raider!
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