Patrick's Graduation Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Throughout high school Patrick hasn't really broken the rules, but has bent them. He started wearing eyeliner last year, much to our dismay, and had a lot of flack with that. "There's nothing that states that guys can't wear eyeliner, Mom. Dad, you always said that I didn't have to conform with what society says and for me to live my life as my own individual." Those were the two main things he always told us. So, I scoured the handbook, and there was nothing. Patrick and some friends of his, along with a teacher, was going to contact the school board to have an amendment put in, saying the guys could wear eyeliner, but once the Assistant Principal left last year, there was no more mention of the eyeliner. Then came the tight pants. So many times Patrick has been to the office for the waistband of his underwear showing, and, after him showing me that men's pants are too big, and the junior's pants fit him perfect, I had to agree with him, and that was a fight up until the last week of school. During the 4 years, there was always a couple of people on Patrick's case, but not like it was the last few months of school. He was barely scraping by in American Government and was taking Credit Recovery for his Economics class that he failed. His Guidance Counselor and his American Government teacher pushed and pushed, with the counselor calling me almost every day, and it was getting to the point when I would cringe at the sound of the phone. Finally, I got the phone call that Patrick passed his exam and would be able to graduate. Then came the news, when they were taking the cap and gown pictures, that Patrick wouldn't be able to walk the stage and he couldn't have his picture taken because of the 2 lips rings he was wearing. I called up and fought and fought. Amber started a facebook page with "Let Patrick Graduate on Friday" and we had so much support. The principal told me that if Patrick wore the lip rings and walked, afterward there would be blows. They ended up having the graduation inside the auditorium instead of on the football field. When they announced Patrick's name he had a lot of screaming for him, but the principal and the Superintendent of Schools weren't too happy about handing over his diploma to someone who wasn't "traditional". Afterward we found out a lot of his friends wore fake lip rings to support him. Parents were telling him they were proud of him, he was hugged every 5 feet by students. I'm so proud of him for standing his ground, and for doing all he could to get that diploma. We love you Patrick, and we're so very proud of you!!!!!!
Amber, Patrick, Danny, and Brian at the house.

Amber, Patrick, Tammy, and Brian at the house.

Patrick, Amber, Brian at the house.

Patrick and Amber

Patrick and Brian

Patrick with gown before Graduation

Patrick...2nd row...3rd one from left, looking at camera.

Patrick about ready to get diploma from Principal Earnest.

Patrick walking back to chair with diploma in hand...Go PATTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Graduate and Mom

The Graduate and Amber