Life is Sweet: Pomp It Up

Here is the rundown on the ceremony and celebrations, pomp and circumstance, culminating in Lex's graduation.

Sunday - Seminary Graduation

(Another SFT that the kids do not seem to relish... but Bill and I do.)

The program was nice... but the refreshments were... lacking. I'm not trying to be critical or judgmental, just sayin' that IF you are planning on popping out those nasty long church tables and NOT COVERING THEM (even with a 99 cent plastic tablecloth), plopping down store-bought cookies (Oreos, Sugar Wafers, and Chips Ahoy) on paper plates, and plastic gallon jugs of milk with paper cups (the first of which must have spilled upon pouring, as the table was heavily splattered with milk),

DON'T SERVE REFRESHMENTS.

Especially when it's for a commemorative event recognizing willingness to wake up at 4:45 AM for FOUR years, regularly reading and memorizing scriptures, and sacrificing precious energy and sleep for Daily Spiritual Upliftment. I didn't expect refreshments, but somehow felt that what they were (from a box or package) and how they were presented (like the treats for a Mutual night activity) diminished the importance of the accomplishment. I'm mentally writing it in my Things I've Learned notebook, should I ever be the one in charge who has something of more importance to attend to in my life at that time than beautifully-served-well-thought-out-refreshments, leaving me with only two options: To serve or not to serve.

Just DON'T.

Refreshments aside, I am extremely proud of Lex graduating from Seminary.

I know what a sacrifice AND blessing it is.

Monday - Honors Convocation

Since this was our first experience with an Honors Graduate (way to go, Lexee!), I had no idea what to expect of this event. I invited the family to attend, since it was FHE, and since it would be awesome for all of us to be there in support of Lex.

Little did we know this would be a THREE HOUR conglomeration of lengthy speeches in a stuffy, hot gymnasium, sitting on benches much too close together for any Syddalls (and Andersons) with long legs. That would be all of us.

The principal went into a speech about how the parents and family might be feeling if this is their FIRST graduate... thrilled, excited... or how they might feel if this is their baby... emotional, weepy... then he said something to the effect of, "If this is your middle child, you're probably just saying, 'Yeah, whatever.'" Hmmmm.... Let it be written that we are just as excited and thrilled as the next parent. (Will I ever be weepy at a graduation? Probably not.) Three down, two to go.

Lex chewed gum the entire evening (visible from our seats at the top of the bleachers), obviously elated to be in attendance.

We were all happy when the final award was given, and the final speaker finished.

(Three hours!)

Tay and Britt encouraged Shi to start slacking academically to avoid the need to attend again in two years. Despite the length of the program, the heat of the gymnasium, and the endless clapping, I am extremely proud of Lex and her great accomplishment.

Tuesday - Graduation

It was slated to be a 90 degree day, and we got to sit on the sunny side of the stadium. Lucky us.

Halfway through the ceremony, a tender mercy appeared in the form of cloud cover.

Despite our concerns that Graduation may take as long as the Honors Convocation, we were pleasantly surprised at how efficiently things went, especially considering that this was the FIRST graduating class from Legend. There was the perfect balance of speakers and musical numbers. The principal kept his remarks poignant and brief as he not only honored a beloved teacher who had passed away from cancer the previous year, but also the accomplishments of the school and the inaugural class of 2012 over the past four years. (Trust me, he reined himself in, since he is widely known for how much he likes to talk to a crowd, which we all witnessed firsthand at the Honors Convocation.) They had four teachers reading the names of the graduates, so the awarding of diplomas ran like clockwork. Nice.

Lex had mentioned that the principal had given the graduates a code to use as he congratulated each one: As you are walking towards him, put one hand out if you would just like a handshake, both hands out if you would like a hug. Lex felt that a hug would be awkward, and planned to use the handshake code. I don't think the principal was paying attention, as he flat-out hugged everyone.

Austin caught Lex's awkward moment on camera...