The Terrible Catsafterme

It all began with a Pee-Wee. Nearly two years ago at the 2006 Augusta Sons of the Desert Convention, I somehow took first place in the traditional Pee-Wee Contest. In addition to the trophy that now sits in front of me on my computer desk, I was also charged with carrying the famous Stan Laurel Shield for two years. All of the winners of conventions past (beginning in 1984) had had their name engraved on tiny metal shields affixed to the wooden plaque. My shield was the last one remaining. The keeper of the shield, Roger Gillette, had recently emailed me asking if I could send it back to him now so that he could find a way to affix additional plaques for future winners, beginning with the one at the upcoming Amsterdam convention. 

As you may have guessed, I had not yet gotten my name engraved on it, thinking that I still had a full month to get it taken care of - so he kindly told me that he would have my name added if I sent it back immediately to him. This is how I began Saturday, May 31, 2008, taking it to the post office to send it  on back.

My last day with the Stan Laurel Shield

The weather was gorgeous finally this particular weekend, so I popped out of bed bright and early knowing that I had a lot to accomplish. Even though Christi had picked up Briana the night before and the two of them, along with Creed, came over late to stay the night at our place, I wasn’t up too late this time. Jackie and I quietly minded our own business watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel while everyone else conked out.

So I went to the post office to drop off the shield, went to the library, came home and walked for an hour in the fabulous sunshine, laid out whilst listening to my iPod for an hour, showered, watched Jackie attempt to fly a kite, and then it was time for the evening’s affairs.

Let’s go fly a kite, up to the highest heights…

Jackie and I followed Ashleigh, Christi, Briana, and Derek to the Golden Corral for a huge buffet dinner. This was the last thing I needed to negate the walking, dieting, and push-ups I had been doing all through this beautiful Spring week, but I ate it anyway. That burboun chicken gets me everytime. Mom and Bob joined us for dinner, but by that time Ashleigh and her gang of comrades were ready to head to the Nutter Center. Ashleigh had to be there by 5pm, and Christi saved us a good row of seats near the front, on the side where Ashleigh would be sitting.

 Derek and Ashleigh at the Golden Corral

 Ashleigh and Christi

The Gang chows down in anticipation

My Dad, Christi’s brother Keith and his wife Ashley, and Christi’s Mom Joy all met up with us and sat in our row. Carolyn and Christi’s Dad and his girlfriend Pat were all there to support Ashleigh as well, but they sat elsewhere. The commencement ceremony began at promptly 6pm. Although it approached two hours, it actually wasn’t all that boring. The Beavercreek Jazz Ensemble, the A-Cappella Choir, and a student rock band performing the class song 100 Years all played music throughout the event. The Principal Marian West, Class President Amir Babar, Valedictorian Emily Jo Eklund, and especially the Superintendant Denny Morrison all gave rousing speeches.

 Christi, me, and Jackie await the ceremony

 Dad, Bob, Mom, and Joy

Briana was bored enough to bring her iPod along. Derek was even more bored and apparently picked away at his pantlegs.

Ashleigh was sitting relatively close to us and in fact we could shout out her name and she would look at us - but naturally would also quickly look away. We wanted to make sure that she didn’t give up her cap and gown before we collected pictures of her. When the time came, she arose with her row of students, walked the line, and proudly collected her High School Diploma.

The program

 Ashleigh enters the building

 And takes a seat by our neighbor Kylie Farmer, who once broke her leg in our driveway

The sea of graduates. Can you find Ashleigh?

Ashleigh accepts her diploma - just click on it and see!

Ashleigh didn’t let us down. We easily met up with her after the ceremony to take photos of her, cap and gown and all, snapping pictures of every possible configuration of people who attended. And of course I even had to go beyound that…

 Okay here we go…Briana and Ashleigh

 Derek and Ashleigh

 Ashleigh and me

 Ashleigh and both parents

 Ashleigh and Grandparents

 Ashleigh and more Grandparents

 Ashleigh and Ashley and Keith

 Ashleigh and Carolyn

 Okay enough Ashleigh. Here’s former members of the BHS class of 1991, the first graduates who had a ceremony at the Nutter Center (see here)

 A 1990 BHS grad, who posed with these same lovely ladies on that very day (see here)

 Who can resist me and Little B?

Oh the audacity! A rare and tasteless photo op. Where’s Lisa when you need her?

It all began with a Pee-Wee. Her name was Ashleigh. I remember when Ashleigh was just a little baby who I would proudly hold in my arms, and now just look at her. She hasn’t always had the easiest home life, but she perservered and successfully grew and gained knowledge in nursery school, pre-school, and then three elementary schools (Shaw, Five Points, and Main), made it through Junior High at Ferguson where she was a cheerleader and joined the Juniorettes, then went on to Beavercreek High School, my alma mater, where she spent three years as a Beaverette. Although she wasn’t presented an Honors diploma, she did quite well in school and ended up with all A’s during her Senior year. I was and am very proud of her…and always will be.

It was hard enough to believe it when she turned eighteen. Now she’s a High School Graduate getting ready for college and the real world.

Sigh.

My beautiful, beautiful Ya-Yaht

The weekend will continue…

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 am and is filed under 2000's - Late. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.