Brian's Graduation, Class of 2008-2009

Amber & Brian


A little note for the graduate

Dad and the Graduate

Amber, Patrick, and Summer

Kendal, Nick, Tammy, Brian, Amber, Patrick

Just the 4 of us.

Nick, Brian, and Kendal

Amber and Kyle

Kyle walking the stage.

Brian walking back to seat.

Brian waiting to get his diploma

Kyle during the procession in.

Brian, a little fuzzy during procession

Amber and I waiting for graduation to begin.

Summer and Brian

Patrick and Brian

Kendal and Brian

Brian walked across the stage tonight and got his high school diploma. I was so proud of him. When he was little, he loved school, up until 4th grade with a really bad teacher. He was always the first to get on the bus, and he hated staying home from school. Then came middle school, which wasn't that hard. He had a lot of friends, the teachers admired him and the homework was never really a problem. For the science fair, he was always participating, thrilled when him and Amber both got into the top and an award, but upset because the main winner was "stupid" and "didn't even make sense". But that didn't stop him, he tried the next year and the next, to no avail of course, but it never made him stop. His teachers in middle school saw that he loved art and he won a couple of awards for different things. When he reached high school, yeah, the rebellious side came out, he got in trouble alot, but he was still loved by the teachers and the kids. Then we moved up here. He got in real bad trouble up here, two years in a row, and was expelled for a year. He made up his mind and told everyone that he would pass all of his tests, get all of his credits and do it by January of 2009, which everyone was really skeptical about. He worked and worked and I know he was discouraged so many times, but he did just like he said and his teachers were really proud of him. The smile on his face when he was there was like a beacon. So many people shouted when he crossed that stage and I was so proud of him. I swore that I wouldn't cry, but I couldn't help it. Watching the accomplishment of your child is something that every parent loves to see. Brian, we are so very proud of you. Congratulations for your achievement. I love you very much. We also had Kyle graduate too. Family was supposed to stand up when they called the graduates name, and this year we had to have it in the new gymnasium because it had rained so wet, it was still muddy out there. 8 tickets per graduate, and then when it came time anyone without a ticket could find an empty seat. Danny chose to stand because we were one short, and there was a huge crowd of people standing on the balcony. When Brian's name was mentioned so many people screamed out his name and we stood up. When Kyle was mentioned Amber stood halfway up, but it was Summer who stood all the way up and cheered. And on a more personal note to Brian, we started out great that day, and in the middle of the day it became all out war, but I'm glad that you and I both calmed down enough, apologized to each other for being hotheads and I'm so proud that you walked that stage. I'm proud of you each and every day and there's never been a day I thought you were a screwup or a failure. You put your mind to graduating and you reached the top. I love you, Brian. Your whole family, and that includes your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neices and nephews, along with Kyle, Kendal, and Summer, we are so very proud of you.