Another beautiful graduation day at Salem Hills High! I thought I was "old hat" at this child graduating thing after having done it once... but as soon as I spied Sierra in that processional, my throat caught and here came the tears! All I could picture in my head was that little curly-haired blond girl who used to RUN away from us as fast as she could to get to Grandpa's house. She's still got the same gruff little voice, ("Know What?") but what a gorgeous young woman she has become!
It was a super day for an outdoor graduation. The rain finally stopped and it looked like we might actually have sun. I know there have been some rumblings about having an outdoor graduation, but NOTHING could match how awesome it was when the "Skyhawk" appeared!
Just as the choir was singing "We are the Skyhawks", a real live hawk started circling right over the graduates. He kind of stole the attention from the choir, but it was so cool to see all the kids start looking and pointing. I figured that had to be planned, but according to the powers in charge, the bird just showed up; not released on purpose, not tame, just came by to say "Congrats" to the kids! I wish I had been able to get a picture of that.You can't watch your child end high school without a whole bunch of gratitude to the people who helped get them there. Sierra loved her ASL teacher, Mrs. Campbell, thought her English teacher, Mrs. Strange was "so chill", and really connected with her Seminary teachers. Of course, Erin, (Oops, sorry, Ms. Auger) our favorite dance teacher, will forever be a major impact on Sierra's life. We so appreciate Principal Bohling, (a.k.a. Bishop Troy) for giving our kids such a personal connection at school, and never under-estimate the value of having your daughter's boss live next-door to her boyfriend, teach at her school, and know Mom personally.... Thanks much for the extra set of eyes, Mr. Graham!
Sierra & Aubrey
Breanna, Sierra & Samae
And the biggest thanks of all to her wonderful friends! Good kids have good friends, and Sierra has had AWESOME friends. This class had a tough couple of years... as juniors, Salem split off from Spanish Fork, then as seniors, Maple Mountain opened, pulling more kids to another school. Friends since middle school, we were just as proud to watch Samae graduate from MMHS, and Breanna from SFHS, as we were to see Aubrey, Brandon, and especially Phillip graduate from Salem Hills. And thanks to all her new SHHS friends as well: Kacie, Jason, Billy, McKenna, Devanie, Haley, Kacie J.... lots of good people!
Sierra, Jason, Brandon & Kacie
Sierra's "Best" friend since 9th grade would have to be that BOY she hangs around with! And it's about time we got a boy around here! We love Phillip! We had a great time after the graduation celebrating with the whole Sorensen clan.
It was a great day:
Grandma and Grandpa Nielson barely made it back in time for the ceremony - flew in from their trip to Europe just hours before. Tired and jet-lagged... but they were here!
Proud Mom and Dad!
And now we can start the shift from Skyhawk blue to Wolverine Green! Sierra and Phillip will be joining Kaila at UVU this fall! Graduation does mean a New Beginning after all!
