Our Own Little Salutatorian

Well, here it is. Daisy's graduation. This girl has kept us busy these past 4 years, and this chapter is coming to a close.

Daisy has been in the top 3 in class rankings for her entire high school career. At the end of senior year, the top three were so close, the administration asked all three of them to write a speech, knowing only the top 2 would get to deliver it. The GPAs would not be finalized until a couple days before graduation. Here is the tea that occurred:

The morning grades were figured, I was working the polls. Daisy called during my lunch break, crying. She had been called by the counselor telling her that the final grades had been figured and she had fallen from number two to number three. Daisy said she didn't know why her GPA had fallen because she had taken all college courses and received all As the final semester, so it should have went up slightly. I called the counselor to inquire. She told me it was because Daisy had received a 71% in one class. When I told her that was incorrect, she asked Daisy to send her proof of her higher grade. After several calls and emails and what seemed like a painstakingly long time, the counselor told Daisy that someone had accidentally entered the wrong grade, so her GPA was higher than they thought, making her co-salutatorian. Daisy asked if her and Dae'Juan had the exact same GPA, and the counselor's response was, "I can't tell you private information about other students." If they were co-salutatorians, they should have the same GPA and her answer could have been a simple, "Yes."

We were so happy that Gary & Linda drove Mom & Dad, and Sister and Tony flew in, too.

It was so nice to have them here.

Here is my little girl, getting ready to be dropped off at her graduation by her Dad.

Much like the stockings being hung by the chimney with care, the diplomas were stacked by the podium with care.

One of the perks when your child is salutatorian: reserved seating.

Daisy was helping Vivian with her cap before the ceremony.

These are the 4 kids who were on stage for speeches or to say the pledge. They were all nervously waiting to get the show on the road.

Since we had preferred seating, she got to cheese for us as the students were walking past to get in line.

This page lists Daisy as Senior Class President.

As class president, she was bestowed the honor of Turning of the Tassel.

She is listed on this page for Student Council Member, Outstanding Senior as well as Miss Western Hills, NHS Vice-President, Superintendent's Scholar, and the recipient of an Associate of Arts Degree from Tarrant County College. 

This page lists her as a member of Texas Association of Future Educators, and a student who received over 30 Dual Credit Hours.

And of course, here she is listed as a Candidate for 

Graduation.

Here is Daisy's fan section.

I was hoping to embarrass her with this big head.

When we sat down it was a bit chaotic, as we were trying to get Vivia settled with the issue of the stairs. I happened to sit by my Mom while Eli and Zeke followed. Then James and our youth pastor Haley showed up while Abe was still upstairs helping Vivia getting settled. So when he arrived he just sat on the end.

Here is our girl, at the head of the class as they walked in. And there is our proud Daddy, taking pictures.

Once again, preferred seating has its perks.

What was not so great about our preferred seating was that once Daisy was on stage, as she was hidden by the flag. 😣

A bit more tea to spill... When they were announcing the Summa Cum Laude students, who happened to be the top three, they noted the GPA ranges, which were very impressive. What our family noticed was that the bottom GPA was below Daisy's. Hmmm. The counselor wouldn't tell Daisy that they had exact matching GPAs and they announced a lower GPA range. Made us wonder if Daisy was actually a co-salutatorian, or if they just didn't want to tell the other boy that they were wrong when they told him he moved up to second place. In the long run it does not matter because she still earned her spot.

When they announced the valedictorian and salutatorians, they asked the parents to stand. If one did not know, it appeared that Abe was sitting by his younger, upgraded wife because he was by Haley and I was way down the line by the boys.😆

Ms. Martin draped Daisy's salutatorian medal around her neck.

She gave an excellent speech.

She told a few funny anecdotes, 

she acknowledged two of their classmates who passed away, 

and she gave good advice.

When she gave her family a shout out, she began to cry. I also began to cry. Obvi.

Time to receive her diploma.

As salutatorian she earned a special sticker acknowledging her accomplishment.

At the end of the ceremony she was privileged to return to the podium.

As class president she asked the alumni in attendance to stand. Of course her brother stood to be recognized.

She asked the graduating class of 2026 to stand.

Then she invited them to turn their tassel.

The air was filled with graduation caps!

That's the smile of accomplishment.

One last time to sing the alma mater for the Western Hills Cougars.

It's official!

All smiles on the walk out.

Here is what others may have thought to be the younger, upgraded model.

Getting a hug from Grandpa.

Her proud Grannie.

Addi and Daisy were often confused to be the same girl when they were freshmen.

Daisy's soccer buddy Chela.

Sam was on the cheer team one year.

Here is Coco, another cheer girl.

Mr. Moran wanted to grab a pic. At the time we did not know that he would be transferred to IMT next year, so he will also get to be Eli's teacher.

Afterward, we had dinner at our house with the people who love Daisy most. Lots of pictures here, too.

I love that these three love each other. 

Dad was hiding around the corner, hoping he would not need to take any more pictures. 

Her hard-earned medal.

Daisy and her grandmas.

Gift time!

My Mom gave Daisy a handmade quilt that had hundreds of tiny pieces that she cut, placed and sewed. 

Mom said she called it 'Daisy's Diamonds'. But she admitted it was very intricate and took a lot of tedious hours, and she often called it 'The Quilt From Hell.' 

Daisy's teachers have been writing a sweet note in this book from pre-k through graduation. That ding dong book even went to South Korea with us without her knowing.

Daisy was showing Grandpa James' herd of cows. Grandpa was quick to point out  he knew it was made with AI.

I love James' look of embarrassment here.

Tony learned how to play '42' with us.

Before heading home the next day we all had brunch.

I feel so blessed to have family that loves us enough to travel this far to celebrate Daisy and her accomplishments with us.

Here are the official social media receipts:

So proud of our girl. She had a goal going into freshman year that she wanted to be at the top of her class at graduation. Her hard work and perseverance made it happen. Can't wait to see what she does in her next chapter.

[May 29]