It's been just a little over two weeks since my time at ECA officially ended, so I thought I'd take a moment to share briefly about our final day together and graduation.
While I am not a high school teacher, I did supervise several high school study halls. This didn't necessarily provide the right atmosphere to get to know them on a personal level like my middle schoolers, but it at least gave me the chance to meet and interact with most of the high school students. However, since seniors were not assigned to study halls they are probably the class I knew the least.
Graduation day began with an all-school awards assembly during which we honored students' achievements and recognized departing staff and students. From art to sports to music to academics to service, there were many accomplishments to be celebrated! The middle school choir ended the assembly with a surprise performance of one of my favorite songs, "Happy."
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| Departing staff |
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| Middle school choir singing "Happy" |
The graduation ceremony took place later that evening. The fun-loving, familial dynamic of this class was evident as they shared memories and addresses in both Spanish and English, laughing together over inside jokes and pausing to wipe away the occasional stray tear when things got a little too real. Each student was recognized for their personal achievements and they shared their future plans with us via a music video they'd put together. To end the ceremony, we staff took the stage and sang "The Lord Bless You and Keep You," our special prayer for the seniors as they began the next part of their journey.
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ECA Class of 2015
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| Staff song |
Following the ceremony we all enjoyed appetizers and refreshments outside in the huge tent. It was a bittersweet time of celebration and mourning as the students enjoyed their final hours together as a class and said their farewells to the underclassmen.
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| With my good friend and fellow science teacher, Sophia |
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| Grad Reception in the Circus Tent! |
