Senior Honors Night

Tonight was Jaiden's Senior Honors Night! We were a little worried because we "heard" that it could be up to three hours long! But it was only 90 minutes long, so we survived, ha ha! Maybe they spread that rumor so that people are pleasantly surprised when they get out "early!" 

Jaiden was awarded with lots of awards:  Academic Letter, Gold Warrior Shield, Eagle Warrior Award (Executive Council Leadership Award), Student Ambassador, Sterling Scholar, Academic All-State in not only one, but TWO, categories (theatre and vocal) and the Seal of Biliteracy! She was surprised when they informed her a few days ago that she was getting the Seal of Biliteracy. She had three years of Spanish in high school, but didn't think anything of it. But apparently her AAPPLE score earned her this award, along with just 12 other Seniors. She also received certificates for all of the college scholarships she was offered (along with all of the other Seniors on the program).  

Jaiden and Emily were asked to provide a musical number and they sang "Found/Tonight" an arrangement combining "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen with "Tonight" from Hamilton. It was very pretty!

I was really touched at the end of the awards night when they announced the "Heart of a Warrior Awards." One in particular was a Hispanic girl who moved here from Honduras. The person announcing her told a little of her story. When she moved here she only had ten credits and so she was really behind. She also didn't speak any English. She passed her classes here by taking a picture of the assignments, translating them unto Spanish, doing the assignments in Spanish, and then translating them into English. She did this for EVERY ASSIGNMENT! I am not sure how this was done (Google Translate maybe?) The person explaining all of this leaned over and whispered something to her and then said "I was just telling her that I would explain all of this to her in Spanish later." 

Since I work as an interpreter I was shaking my head and thinking, "Why didn't the school bring in a Spanish interpreter for this awards ceremony? Here she is getting this really awesome award and probably doesn't even know what is going on!" She was standing on the stage in a full-length red satin prom dress while the audience was cheering and clapping and giving her a standing ovation. I had no idea who she was, but I was so touched by her story that I had tears running down my face. I get so excited about all of the awards and accomplishments that my children receive, but forget that there are so many students who don't have the same kind of privileges and support that our children have. Tonight was a humbling reminder of all of students that go to our school that struggle everyday in areas that we simply take for granted. I felt grateful that we could be there to see her receive this honor. As Auggie Pullman stated in the book Wonder, "Everyone should get a standing ovation at least once in their life...!"   

State Music Festival (Jaiden)

Jaiden: This weekend was state solo and ensemble!! we went up on a bus Friday afternoon and then we drove and stopped for dinner and some friends and I went to this place called cubby's and I got the best blueberry shake ever haha! and then we got to the hotel and partied and went swimming and face timed people, and we were having a blast! the next morning Emily and Gwendolyn and I went to the little gym and worked out for a bit and took this pic where I look INSANELY buff and then we got ready and went to the competition!!

I got to hear Emily's song and she did super good! and I also got to hear some other people perform too and they did INSANE, like I'm pretty sure the girl who went before me was pro opera singer... any way haha I did my song and it was good and then I got picked up by aunt Alicia and we went to Janika's baby shower!!! there was so many children there hahaha I was in heaven it was so fun and then after Jenna and I went to stay with Adria and Rella! we made bracelets and watched a movie, it was a good fun relaxing night! 

Then today I got my score form the competition!!! I GOT A 1!!! that's the best score you can get!! so if there was nationals I would have qualified haha isn't that awesome??? I'm pretty proud and then we went to church and hungout and decorated onesies for Janika and I made one that says "I 💗 hot moms" and another that straight up says "O'Hare air" and then we drove home and Evan was in the car with us so that was super fun hope you have an amazing week!!! it's already may which is so so crazy!!  also they resurfaced the parking lot at our school so I don't have my senior spot anymore but I have a pic of it so it'll chillany! 

Après un Rêve

This is the song that Jaiden sang for the competition (but at a different performance). Her director asked her and a few of the others to perform their piece during their last Madrigal Concert. I was happy about that because then I was able to video it! They all did amazing! If you are wondering about the random chair in the video, well the opening song had someone playing the cello and that is why the chair is there. Then it sat there the entire concert and no one moved it! I kept thinking, "Will someone just move that chair off stage?!" Ha ha! Oh well!  

(Jaiden's senior parking space that she references above. "PJ" stands for "Princess Jaiden," ha ha!)

District Science Fair: Jaiden

Jaiden (age 11, 6th grade) competed in the District Science Fair at Tonaquint Intermediate School today.  Then we went out to lunch at Costa Vida!!

Jaiden, Josh, and Jenna's Elementary School Awards

When the year winds down the kids start coming home with all kinds of awards!  Jaiden, Josh, and Jenna all received the Arrowhead Medallion. Josh and Jaiden received the Presidential Educational Award.  Jaiden received an award for being in the Arrowhead Elementary School Choir for the last three years. Josh and Jaiden also received awards for their reading minutes.  Jaiden received the "Give Me Liberty" award -- which takes a lot of effort! This year the kids who earned the "Give Me Liberty" award received a Kendama instead of a trophy.  Kendamas are the big thing right now and so she was pretty excited about that!  I am so proud of their kids for working hard in school and doing their very best work!

Jaiden's Fifth Grade Graduation and Program

Jaiden had her Fifth Grade Graduation and Patriotic Program today.  She sang a duet along with another girl and they sounded great!  This is the fifth time I have seen this program (two more to go) and I love it every time!  Jaiden also received the "Give Me Liberty" award!  Here is Jaiden with her best friend, Emily -- they were excited to be able to serve together on the Student Council this year on the Library Committee!