The Mighty Owl Band (The MOB) struck up "Pomp and Circumstance" at 5 PM as the Garland High Class of 2011 marched into the Special Events Center as rehearsed the previous afternoon. The age-old tension between administrative authority emphasizing the "Pomp" of the processional, wanting an orderly and dignified graduation ceremony, while the seniors for the most part were acutely feeling the "Circumstance" of waning school authority, it was feared, might try something brash and individualistic. So warnings had been issued; No beach balls or fun paraphernalia and if anybody displays an undignified gesture, the principal will give a throat-slashing motion to signal security that they are to rush the stage and remove the offender. And for heaven's sake, "Don't throw your mortar boards in the air at the conclusion - the sharp corners could come down and poke somebody's eye out!" With stern warnings thus given and ground rules laid out, the Class of 2011 did comport themselves received their diplomas.
Garland High School graduated 613 seniors, with Grant graduating with honors, a medal as a Star Scholar, accolades for Script and Letters with recognized perfect attendance to boot. The Valedictorian, Johnny Sharbil Hamati is the son of Lebanese immigrants and the Senior Class President is the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants. The most common sir name from the Class of 2011 was Hernandez, follower by Cruz - there was one student named Smith.
After singing of the alma mater ..."Hail, Hail, Hail!", most of the students tossed their sharp-cornered mortar board hats into the air in defiant celebration. The resulting hale of dangerous hats, (no doubt designed by very same Asian assassins who devised the kung fu throwing star weapons), fell to the floor, resulting in zero eye injuries. The eye-opening lesson is that true education is knowing what to believe and what warnings and predictions to question.
Following the ceremony on Friday evening, we all went to dinner at Fogo de Chao, Brazilian Churrascaria where the wait staff continually approaches your tables with a variety of beef, chicken and sausages on skewers, offering to slice a piece of your choosing off the skewer and onto your plate. It is a designated "special occasion" restaurant and after we had eaten all we could, we were served a creme brulee gratis with three spoons and "Congratulations" spelled out in raspberry glaze on Grant's plate.
A fine end to a fine run from K to 12. We're all justifiably proud and looking forward to the next level when we travel to Columbia, Missouri, for Freshman Orientation and the University of Missouri in early July. It all is happening really quick.
Enter to Learn, Go forth to Serve. (Hopefully with both eyes open & functioning)
After singing of the alma mater ..."Hail, Hail, Hail!", most of the students tossed their sharp-cornered mortar board hats into the air in defiant celebration. The resulting hale of dangerous hats, (no doubt designed by very same Asian assassins who devised the kung fu throwing star weapons), fell to the floor, resulting in zero eye injuries. The eye-opening lesson is that true education is knowing what to believe and what warnings and predictions to question.
Following the ceremony on Friday evening, we all went to dinner at Fogo de Chao, Brazilian Churrascaria where the wait staff continually approaches your tables with a variety of beef, chicken and sausages on skewers, offering to slice a piece of your choosing off the skewer and onto your plate. It is a designated "special occasion" restaurant and after we had eaten all we could, we were served a creme brulee gratis with three spoons and "Congratulations" spelled out in raspberry glaze on Grant's plate.
A fine end to a fine run from K to 12. We're all justifiably proud and looking forward to the next level when we travel to Columbia, Missouri, for Freshman Orientation and the University of Missouri in early July. It all is happening really quick.
Enter to Learn, Go forth to Serve. (Hopefully with both eyes open & functioning)
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