The end has come. Today, John graduated fifth grade and our time at Ridgeway Elementary is complete. I find myself wondering how his elementary years went so fast.
Laura wanted to see John graduate, so we took her to school after the ceremony.
It struck me as John was walking into school with his friends that this was my last time seeing him enter the doors as a student. It was a such a difference from the first time. As a kindergartner, he was scared and crying. Today, he was confident and smiling.
The Promotion Ceremony lasted about 45 minutes. Individual awards were handed out first. Then, each name was called and the fifth graders came forward to receive their diplomas.
There was a short reception afterwards and I took some pictures of John with his friends and teachers. These are his best friends – Brady, Ayden, and Caleb. He will go to school with Ayden next year at West Middle School.
This is John’s teacher, Zach Gramke. The stars aligned, so that John had Mr. G for three years instead of two. John loves this man and he is going to miss him. To Zach, thanks for all that you did for John and being the kind of teacher that makes a kid want to learn even when school is not something he loves.
The only thing left to say is, “on to middle school!”