May 2024

Get comfortable, pop some popcorn and get ready for a month full of activities and memories.  

May 1st, after visiting Nick and seeing how bare his apartment was Steve and I decided to help him find some furniture.  The Media Center at school is scheduled for an upgrade this summer and they were getting rid of some of the old furniture.  I picked out two chairs that were in the best condition, brought them home, cleaned them up and Steve took them down to Nick along with our card table and a few chairs to serve as a kitchen table until they find the one they want.  While Steve was down there, he and Nick went to dinner and had a good evening together.  

The chairs look nice and make it feel more like home.  

May 2nd, the PTO provided lunch for the staff and it was amazing, as always.  They really do make us all feel special.  We have the best PTO.  

Cindy, Jessica and Marianne in front of the gorgeous table full of yummy food.  Our PTO knows how to make us feel special.  

May 2nd in the evening we attended our last band concert.  The theme of the night was cinema and we were treated to several songs from the big screen.  The band sounded great and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Avian told me that I needed to record the WHOLE concert, without stopping, so I stood in the aisle toward the back and filmed the whole thing.  I am so glad I did.  They sounded amazing.  Avian had a feature part in the last song as well.  It was a fun night.  

Avian and Rose chilling before their portion of the concert.  

One last picture of Avian in the first chair clarinet position. 

Avian during their feature part.  The last song was "The Bare Necessities" and Mr. Reavis invited Mr. Scaringelli to play the tuba with the band.  As an added surprise, Mr. Reavis joined on the trumpet and had Rose lead the band.  It was the highlight of the show.  A link to the recording is included below.  

Nick joined us for the night.  

Here is the link to the full concert.  Avian's feature part is at about minute 20. Check it out.   (Use this to cut and paste if the hyperlink above is not working  https://youtu.be/nROw44jjcUA?si=M9mpNus2Ulz6fh5u)

May 3rd was Senior Day.  It started at 6:45 with Senior Sunrise.  All the seniors enjoyed coffee and other assorted beverages while watching the sun come up.  

Avian and Michelle

We then treated all of the them to breakfast in the courtyard.  

The gang enjoying breakfast together.  
Bottom left going counter clockwise - Leah Sturt, Keegan Coffey, Avian, Michelle Ellison,  Evan McGlothlin, one unknow friend, Tim Zhang, Oliver Carballo, Summer Hull, Joey Vogel,  another unknown friend and William McNay

Once breakfast was over, the students all got together in their college groups and Chalked the Walk with their chosen college logos.  It was fun to see how many schools were represented in the group.  

The finished product

After finishing their sidewalk art, they all got in their caps and gowns for the parade through the high school and middle school.  

Avian and their group of friends all ready to parade through the schools.  

This picture made everything start to feel real to me.  

Waiting!!!

The drumline led the parade through the schools and it was a very festive atmosphere.  I ran over to the middle school and got a good spot to watch everyone parade through.  

It is hard to believe that this day is already here.  All the middle schoolers lined the hallways and cheered for all the seniors.   The seniors also got to see their favorite teachers.  

After the parade, they were all rounded up into the HS gymnasium for the class picture.  The first task was to get in height order.  Avian was lucky enough to be by all their friends in the line up.  

Jason Richards, Alex O'Neil, Rachel Jones, Ashley Croshaw, Avian, Emma Johnson

The official senior photo

Once the class photo was taken, yearbooks were handed out and everyone signed yearbooks while waiting for their turn to have their senior photo taken.  

While all of this was going on, I was in the field house getting lunch all ready for when they were done with photos.  I got to serve pizza and see everyone as they went by.  It was fun to see how much they have all grown since 5th grade.  

The seniors all gathered in the stands and ate pizza, signed yearbooks, watched some fund races and games and waited to hear their name called if they won a raffle prize.  Avian was excited to get a Target card. 

The seniors ended the day in the HS multipurpose room eating popsicles before heading home.  It was a great day and I am so glad I got to be there for it.  

In addition to all the fun activities, there was a social media campaign honoring all the seniors.  

This one was on Facebook

This one was on Instagram

May 4th I was up early and on my way to the temple with Rebekah and Nancy - I serve with them in the stake Relief Society presidency.  It was a fund day of travelling and getting to know them better.  I always enjoy the peaceful time spent in the temple.  

Me, Nancy and Rebekah.  Shelly was out of town - we missed her.  

Rebekah, Me and Nancy in front of the Columbian, SC temple.  

While I was at the temple, Nick and Steve found Nick a wind trainer for his bike so he can ride inside when the weather is bad.  Avian spent the day painting the top of their cap.  It is going to be another masterpiece when it is done.  

That night we attended our last band banquet.  I had told the ladies at the beginning of the year that I would be around to answer questions and help out with the details,  but I didn't want to have any responsibilities the night of the banquet.  They were amazing.  They gave me a few assignments I could get done on my own time before the banquet.  For the first time in 7 years, I walked into the banquet when it was starting and got to leave when it was over.   It was amazing!!  I was so grateful to get to be completely present for Avian and my family that night.  

Family picture

Rose, Avian, Leah, Anthony, Keegan and Andrew. 

These two have been friends since 6th grade and they always have such a good time when they are together.  

Knight Watch Seniors - Avian, Keegan, Ryland, Isaac, Tyler, Anthony, Andrew, Leah, Joey and Maeve

Finally getting the monogramed drumsticks for 4+ years in Knight Watch

Eight years of band and 6 years of Knight Watch

Avian and Kennedy - Clarinet Section Leaders

All the Section Leaders

All the band seniors -
Back row: Ryland, Joey, Anthony, Sam, Andrew, Isaac, Keegan, Tyler, Avian
Front Row:  Leah and Maeve
Krista doing the splits as only she can!

Avian was awarded the Patrick Gilmore Award
The Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award® was introduced in 1994 in honor of the legendary bandmaster and impresario. Patrick Gilmore (1829-1892) and his band joined General Burnside’s expedition to North Carolina in the Civil War. Gilmore also played for every president of his day, including Abraham Lincoln. This beautiful award honors outstanding high school band students and their achievements and commitment to the band. It may be used as a runner-up award to the John Philip Sousa Award®.

Towards the end of the banquet, Mr. Reavis surprised me with a bouquet of flowers and a gift card for all my help through the years and especially his first two years.  I really was a pleasure helping with all the band activities.  

Special thank you for all my years of helping out.

My favorite part of the night is when the kids give Mr. Reavis his basket of goodies.  This year they were very excited about the Reavis Funko Pop.  It really was a perfect night for celebrating all the seniors.  

May 5th there was a huge wind storm that brought down two trees in our neighborhood.  Steve was happy to get out his chainsaw and help clean everything up. 

Meanwhile, back at home, Jeremy finished up his capstone paper for school and prepared for the presentation the next day.  He really put his whole soul into this final project for his major.  I am so proud of him. 

May 6th, Avian rocked the AP Gov test.  Jeremy presented his paper to the class and everything went well.  He felt really good about it. (Fast forward a couple of weeks, - he came to me beaming from ear to ear because he had just found out his grade for his capstone project - 90%!!!!  Way to go!) To celebrate Avian and Jeremy tried to wax his legs.  They got through one strip and decided the pain was not worth it.  

May 7th was the senior awards ceremony.  Avian was recognized for their SCAD scholarship ($28,000/year), their Scholastic art and writing awards, their Congressional art competition entry, their American Award nomination and they were recognized by Ms. Matocha as the top Visual Arts student.  It was a fun night of watching Avian shine.  

Avian and Ms. Matocha (the BEST and favorite art teacher)

May 8th there was a HUGE thunderstorm.  I am surprised the power did not go out and very grateful it did not.  Avian took the AP Lit exam during all this racket and they felt really good about how they did.   

Avian's graduation announcements arrived in the mail.  They look great.  

May 17th, Avian went straight from school to the annual Knight Watch kick-ball tournament.  They had a great time with their friends they have made over the last 7 years in KW.  After the kickball, Avian went home with Rose to get ready for the Tim McGraw concert.  The tickets were a graduation present from the Licastris.  Avian and Rose had a great time!  They sent us pictures throughout the night.  

May 18th we took advantage of the day at home to get the house cleaned, grocery shopping done and even threw in a few outdoor projects.  

May 19th was a very memorable day.  Avian was invited to the Mint Museum for the announcement of the Congressional Art Award winners.  They won first place and are invited to go to Washington D.C. for an awards ceremony at the end of June and to see their art hanging in the Cannon Tunnel where it will be hanging for one year to be seen by thousands of tourists.  Pretty exciting.  

Receiving the award from Congresswoman Alma Adams.  

All the winners and the judges. 

Avian being interviewed by CMS about their art and what they plan to do in the future.  (There is a separate blog post with and interview with The Biscuit where you can see the full video.)

Avian and Ms. Matocha posing for a photo with the winning painting.  When Ms. Matocha saw this painting she new it was a winner and actively sought out a competition to put it in since it wasn't finished in time for entry in the Scholastic competition.  Ms. Matocha has been Avian's biggest support in getting their art out in the community.  She is retiring this year and I am so grateful that she stayed through Avian's senior year. 

They gave Avian a few minutes to talk about the painting and the thought process behind it.  

The judges were also given a few minutes to talk about each entry.  They all had glowing remarks for Avian.  

 

Congresswoman Adams also took some time to talk about her favorite aspects of each winning piece.  

Congresswoman Adam's publicity department wanted a picture with everyone in it.  I am so glad the whole family was able to be there to support Avian.  

A copy of the program for the day.  

May 20th, Jeremy started his summer classes.  He is taking a historical spy movies class in June and then the second part of Japanese in July.  

Avian's final piece in their AP portfolio.  

 May 21st was field day for the middle school and the day all the seniors had to paint over their parking spaced.  I didn't have any specific responsibilities for field day so I went over to the high school to help with the panting.  It was a sad day watching everyone paint over their art.  This year went by so quickly.  

Lark came down from Raleigh to be a part of Avian's final week of school and to support Avian at graduation.  

Leaving the bunny until the last.  We all may have shed a tear or two saying goodbye to it.  

After school was out for the day I went to the mall with Avian, Leah and Lark to find a present for Leah's birthday.  It was so much fun to just tag along and see what they picked up and hear the conversations that occurred.  

That night I tried to book our flights to Washington DC using the free vouchers and found that we would have to go through Chicago which would make for an 11-hour day of just travel.  That did not include getting into (two yours early) or out of the airport up in DC.  After talking it over, we decided to drive it with Steve as it is only a 6-hour drive.  

May 22nd, Avian and Lark drove to Greensboro to pick up Alena who was coming down from Virginia for the graduation.  Steve took Sandra to the airport so she could go on her Alaska cruise and I went and got my hair cut.  

May 23rd - Steve went to  the foot doctor to check out his foot as it was still really bothering him.  X-rays showed that it is not due to a broken bone.  The doctor suggested a different type of shoe which Steve went and purchased.  It really did help to have a slightly different support system with different pressure points.  

I had my year-end review with Dr. Graham and was told that my position was no longer temporary.  I was offered a position for the coming year along with a raise.

After school, I went shopping to get the last few ingredients for the graduation sushi dinner.  

Meanwhile, Avian, Lark and Alena were having their own fun.  They all went together to support Avian in getting their first tattoo.  Alena and Avian have been planning this for at least a year.  Alena has  a similar tattoo.  

A bird (Avian's spirit animal) and a cow (Alena's spirit animal).  They said it didn't hurt too bad. HMMMMMMMM????

May 24th, Avian was up early to attend graduation practice.  I took the day off to help get everything ready for graduation in the evening.  

Avian leaving from graduation practice

It was a relatively quiet day in preparation for all of the upcoming festivities.  At 5:00 p.m. Rose and Tess arrived and we had a great build-your-own sushi dinner with mochi for dessert.  We then piled into the cars and drove up to Kannapolis to the base ball field.  

A few last pictures before Avian had to go get in place for graduation.  

Andrew Simons and Avian. 

Love the artwork on the cap!

We didn't have to wait long before they let all the guests into the ballpark.  We found seats behind home base so we could get some good pictures of the whole graduation.  Once we were settled with seats, I went in search of Avian and friends for some pictures.  

So many blue robes everywhere.  

Avian, Leah, Keegan and Anthony.  

Graduation started right on time.  The best thing for me was there was a live link that I shared with any family who wanted to join.  Everyone who wanted to "be there" could watch!.  When the graduation music started I got a little teary.  My baby was graduating!!!

Avian walking onto the field during processional.  (close up - Andrew Patterson, the little brother of Nick's best friend in middle and high school is to Avian's right).  Ironically, the Patterson's were sitting right in front of us.  

The view from our seats.  

Waving "Hi"

The perfect night for graduation.  

Principal Smith giving his last speech as principal of LNC.  He would soon be the new executive director of the Community School of Davidson.  We will miss him!

The graduation was also displayed on the big screen.  

The speakers were all amazing and soon it was time for the distribution of diplomas.  Dr. Kendrick and Ms. Jill were chosen to announce the graduates names.  

Next!

Our view through the net.  

Letting the professionals do what they do best.  

Almost done!

Making it official - moving the tassel to the left side!!!

As soon as the graduates changed their tassels, all the light went out and the firework show started.  It was fun to watch the Class of 2024 spend this last few minutes together.  This class has been so much fun since they all started in 5th grade.  They are kind and smart and always a favorite with the teachers.  They are so smart that even though Avian had a weighted GPA of 4.85, Avian was not in the top 20% of the class.  Incredible)

After the fireworks show ended, the teachers created a tunnel for the students and got to congratulate them and give them hugs as they exited the field.  

Ms. Coffey sent me this picture.  That is one happy Avian.  

Tess, Rose, Alena, Avian, Lark, Jeremy, Steve and me.  Nick had to get home and missed being in the picture (but he WAS there for the graduation)

We went to the nearest Cook Out and got shakes before heading back to the house.  It was a very memorable night.  I am so excited to see what the future holds for the LNC Class of 2024.  

May 25th Steve and I were up relatively early and had the kayaks loaded in the truck.  We got some quality and much-needed "float" time in before diving into the day.  

Back at home we got ready to go to Anusha Pandya's graduation party.  It was fun to see everyone the day after graduating.  They were all still so excited.  I love these kids!

Steve and I went to the mall afterwards because Avian had told Steve about some pants I was eyeing and Steve wanted to see them. We had a great time in the store talking to the two girls who worked there.  At the register I made the comment that it must be really fun to work here.  Immediately the girl asked if I was looking for a job.  I told her I wasn't but I had a son who was.  She gave me an application and I took it home to Jeremy.  He filled it out and took it right back over.  I got some cute pants and Jeremy may have gotten a job.  

Back at home everyone was taking a nap in preparation for Leah's party that night.  It was a fun party and all of Avian's friends were there.  We stayed for a bit and then took Lark and Alena to Walmart to get them some snacks for their train rides home.  Alena and I stayed up until 1:00 a.m. just chatting about her life and college and everything.  Avian has great friends.  

May 26th we were up bright and early taking Alena to the train.  We hurried home and picked up Lark and took her to a different train station.  It is good to know that if we are ever to take the train somewhere, it is much easier and more pleasant to go out of the Kannapolis train station than the Charlotte train station.  Back at home we chilled for the entire day.  Jeremy got a call from Earthbound (the fun pants store) and has an interview set up for next week!!!

May 27th, we worked in the yard, transplanted Laverne (the lantana) to a more sunny location.  We worked on the pavers on the side of the driveway.  Nick came over for a bike ride and some dinner.  We also talked with Sylvia at SCAD and told her about the Congressional Award.  That is more scholarship money.  She also answered all our questions about next steps and the timing of when things will be due and how to arrange for financial aid.  It was a productive day.  

This was up at LNC when Avian and I went in to get a few things.  Even though it was for Mr. Smith's last day, we thought it was also about the Class of 2024 as they were so awesome!

May 28th Steve called me at work and told me that Nick could not get the time off to come to the beach with us.  I was NOT happy and had myself a little cry before heading into some year-end meetings.

May 29th - Avian and I went to the dentist for a cleaning and both came away with having cavities filled. They were so small we didn't have to be numbed, but still.   It is ironic because Avian and I are the two in the house that take the best care of our teeth.  

May 30th - I spent the day at LNC working with the MTSS team getting things ready for the coming school year.  It is going to be amazing!