Kubasaki High School Class of 2010

I don't even really know where to start with this post. It's a long one, and probably only of interest to family. I have to say, though...this was the most incredible graduation ceremony of any kind I've ever attended. Kubasaki High is such a special place. Everything looked so lovely...the white lights, the greenery. Just beautiful.


We were so lucky to have a quintet from the III MEF Band come play for us. The prelude music was lovely, and it added so much to have Pomp and Circumstance live instead of canned.



The kids all did great with their entrance. You could tell they practiced ad nauseum. Another benefit of such a small class...individual walks down the aisle instead of a huge gaggle at once. Troy told us where he'd be passing by (they were coming down both aisles) so we picked our spot accordingly.



This is the whole lot of them on the stage. I love that they were seated on the stage instead of the front rows. I was able to admire all of them during the ceremony.



And here are the proud administrators and guest speaker. She is the head of DODEA and came from Washington DC for this. I enjoyed her speech very much...and the coolest part...she herself was a military brat. Awesome.



OK, this is the part of the ceremony which was cruel and unusual. My emotions were already completely raw...but I was holding it together. I had forgotten they were doing a musical number at all. Troy mentioned it in passing, but I never asked what it was...so when I saw the senior choir members lining up in front of the stage, and the show choir members joining them, I got excited. I pressed the record button on the camera before I even realized what they were singing. As soon as I realized what it was, I knew it wasn't going to work. All the shaking? That's the suppressed sobs racking my body. I finally had to just turn it off (knowing it was being recorded anyway) and pull out my tissues.

Except...I did not realize how far away it was being filmed...the poor quality of picture and sound. Not that anyone owes me anything, but I assumed when they said it was going to be recorded and posted on the website, it was going to be recognizable.



Oh well. I included it here anyway, because you can at least barely hear them and vaguely see them. Just turn up your speakers all the way. (Just uploading these clips made me start crying again. I think this song will be ruined for me forever now.)



I'm pretty sure this was during the Principal's speech. it was really good. They were ALL really good.



Again, not the best quality...but you can tell it's him.



And they took time to allow every single parent to take pics of their grad when the diplomas were presented. I love these guys!



This is the part where they told them to turn their tassels. SO cute!



And I got this shot too late for the hats to be seen up in the air =( ...



But here it is live.



One final shot of the jubilation...then the grads left the stage and we had to wait to meet them out in the lobby so we didn't block the aisles.



I got to him first and squeezed and cried all over him (no pics...I still had the camera). Then the kiddos all gave him the candy leis we made for him.



Patrick said, "Here you go...but you know I'm just going to eat this once we get home."



LOVE these kiddos.



Finally, Dad gets his turn.



Man, I love these men!



Maybe this should be our new formation? It works.



Troy with his football coach. What a great guy!



And with the Senior Class President and of course, best bud, Lofty. The rest of the pics are family (obviously) and whoever Troy wanted pics with. We couldn't get everyone (it was total craziness) but did pretty good.



(yes...this is Lofty's smile.)




Congratulations, Troy! You have worked hard and we are proud of you and are so excited for your future. We love you!


Next stop....all-night grad party! Will I be able to hack it as a chaperon? (What was I thinking?!)