"It Ain't Braggin' If It's True"

School is nearly out here, and that means that David is getting very close to his high school graduation day. He has GOLF on the brain, and on the agenda, as much as possible.

This time of year always seems to include a mad scramble by the schools to honor, fete, gather, and remember every single thing that they haven't done yet - and this particular school district, while staffed by some lovely individuals, does not always excel at timely communication. Or is it this particular senior? I don't know.

Last week included a holiday AND Senior Skip Day. I was cleaning the house when David asked if I would walk around the local golf course with him for 18 holes. I said, If you'll help me get this done, I can go with you. So we split the housecleaning and got it done quickly; I packed a lunch, and we went to the course.

There were good shots...

bad shots...

...and lovely places to walk.

When there were bad shots, I reminded him: a bad round of golf still beats a day spent behind a desk! We walked between four and five miles, with David carrying his clubs. Have I mentioned that he LOVES golf?

We found out on last week (I think it was on Wednesday) that David was nominated for a very prestigious award - and that the ceremony was Thursday evening. We also learned on the same day that David won the Scholar Athlete of the Month - in April!

Congratulations, David!

The three of us attended the North Kitsap Athletic Booster Club Sports Awards Banquet. We congratulated the many wonderful athletes who have excelled during the 2009-2010 school year at North Kitsap High. We had dessert and visited with great coaches and families, and heard about what the seniors were planning to do next year. It was nostalgic and fun. Then David was called up on stage with the other nominees of the Joe Shandera Award. (David is the one in the blue button-down shirt with khaki pants.)

The award is given to one senior boy and girl, each year. It is a memorial to a beloved coach who passed away at a young age. Here's a blurb from the local paper about the award:

     "The Joe Shandera Award is the most prestigious athletic award given to a senior boy and girl at North Kitsap High School.  The award was first given in 1969.

     "And being nominated for the award, let alone winning it, is a noteworthy accomplishment as the nomination process and list of criteria are exhaustive. The criteria includes dedication to excellence in athletics, maintaining good academic standing, exhibiting good sportsmanship, showing interest in attaining the highest level of responsibility toward the school and the community.
     "In addition, the nominees must display loyalty to teammates, coaches, school and the sport, leadership by example, participation in a variety of sports, evidence of sacrifice to achieve in the sport, coachability, and admiration accorded by coaches, teammates, teachers and opponents.
     "Also taken into consideration is the nominees’ ability to overcome obstacles to achieve or surpass their athletic potential.
     "The athlete doesn’t need to be a 'star.'
     "The head coaches from all the athletic programs nominate athletes whom they believe meet the criteria for the award. Then they discuss the nominees and vote for one boy and one girl." - North Kitsap Herald, Jun 07 2008

David didn't win the award, but I am proud of him for being nominated with such a great group of his classmates. I'm thankful for his beautiful character, and the fact that he was appreciated and recognized for it.

Tonight was the Senior Award Ceremony, held at the high school. David and his classmates were recognized for the scholarships and awards they are receiving, and he was given his silver tassel, to wear at graduation (gold is the highest honor, and silver is next). Here he is (above), greeting the principal on his way to collect his certificates and tassel.

One of the most moving parts of the ceremony was seeing his classmates, who we have known since "tinyhood," receiving honors. One of his oldest friends, who he's known since they were about 5 years old, in the first grade of the "gifted" program in our school district, is very dear to me. She is one of the gentlest, most kind, gracious, funny, beautiful, intelligent young ladies you could ever hope to meet, and I love her.

Tonight, she received an award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and then was honored by an alumnus of West Point Military Academy, whose voice broke as he announced that she was going to attend his alma mater, on a full scholarship. I looked at Gregg, and there were tears streaming down his face. Just for perspective, I've seen Gregg cry maybe a half-dozen times in our 19 years of marriage. This was one of those "moments" that you just FEEL.

We love you, Johanna, and we are SO proud of you!