Decorated Kids

Pretty great feeling to go from the nostalgia of my college days to a couple events singling out my kids for their accomplishments.

First up -- the Van Antwerp Middle School 8th Grade awards. We got a letter like a week ago saying Greta had earned "one or more" end-of-year awards, so please stay after school on June 10 for a ceremony. They provided a general description of each award -- great grades, high effort, character, courage -- but no hint as to who won what. So we filed into a full auditorium and listened to the principal laud the Class of 2019. "You'll do great things in high school and beyond. This isn't the end, it's the beginning. 36% of the 157 kids in the class earned an award this year." Blah Blah Blah. Translation in my head: Everybody wins! You get a participation trophy for showing up! You didn't hit a single ball out of the infield all year, but way to swing!

She's wondering where to pin her medal.
I told her I'd build a Wall of Fame in the basement if she'll let me!

Fast forward to the awards. First up, Academic Scholars: Given to those individuals who have achieved standards of excellence in their full-year academic subjects. Eleven students were called, and yes, Greta C. Merrill was honored for her excellent grades. (For those of you into math, that's 11/157 or 7%. Next, Achievement Awards, given to kids who tried really hard but weren't quite scholar level. Scratch Greta off that one. Third, the "Triangle Award," a mish-mash of kids who showed quality character, effort and citizenship. A few dozen of those, and sure, Greta fits the bill. Then the Attorney General's "Triple C" award, which sounds like it should be three people but went to four. Winners had to overcome personal challenges, so Greta really wasn't going to win that one. Finally, something just called Daughters of the American Revolution in the program, which made me think of teenagers rising up against their oppressive parents and overthrowing the family order. It was the only award without names under it. I half-listened as the social studies teacher read a description of the award. Something about not standing for any injustice, leading by example, making your voice heard .... and then: "We considered a few kids for this honor, but in the end, there was really only one choice -- Greta Merrill." Boy, if I'd been wearing a button-down shirt they would have popped right off! I look over at Carey and she's just about crying. Every other parent in the room turns to find us with what I could tell was envy in their hearts and we can't stop clapping. 157 kids and only one Daughter of the American Revolution. Greta told me later she was particularly proud because Rory Gilmore in "The Gilmore Girls" is active in DAR before she leaves for, ahem, Yale.

Carey made the teachers who were there stick around for a photo-op. 

This morning it was Lincoln's turn to be honored by the Niskyauna Friends of Music, the booster program that funds a lot of the music-related extracurricular activities in the district. Lincoln was one of about 20 kids -- two from each ensemble -- recognized as Most Improved throughout the year. Chorus director Mr. Purrington chose Lincoln ... well, let him tell it himself:

This is what a leading baritone looks like, albeit
one who is barely awake...

All in all a great start to the week. Congratulations, my children -- you make us so, so proud.