Already it's time for the end of the school year for the kids.
Last night was 8th grade graduation for Kevin. It was sure a night to remember. We headed over early to avoid getting rained on by the thunderstorm that was coming. The last couple days were super hot and humid, and the school gym was hot, sweaty box with well over a thousand people in it. The first set of speakers was just finished when the lights went out, flashed, and then the emergency generator kicked on with the emergency lighting. With no electricity for microphones, the school staff struggled to keep everyone's attention and continue the program. The 8th grade choir sang their song, and luckily had a piano for accompaniment. It was probably during this, that I heard the tornado siren. After the song, I saw a megaphone appear on stage and unpacked from the box, then quickly disappear. I'm guessing it didn't have batteries in it. The principal announced that the police said the tornado was not in the immediate area so we didn't have to take shelter. Comforting? Maybe not.
They did continue with speeches and then began handing out graduation certificates. You could barely hear the names, but just watched for your graduate to come up on stage. About two-thirds of the way through the 200ish graduates, the power came back on. The storm settled down and they opened the exit doors to the gym, providing at least a breeze through the area. The ceremony ended with a class video, then the graduates headed off for their dance with the time that was left. The ceremony ended up going 45 minutes longer than planned.
Today, was the last day of school. Zack finished up 2nd grade, the top grade at his school. Later this month that school will go over major renovations and new construction. To release the kids today, the teachers formed an arch for the kids to run through. Next year is 3rd grade and new school for Zack, and high school for Kevin.
