WCA Graduation #1 ~ June 16, 2013

Graduation Sneeze

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium.  With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.  Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and moms freely brushed away tears.

The class would not pray during the commencement - not by choice but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.  The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling.  They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine.....until the final speech received a standing ovation.

A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone.  He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened.  All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!!!

The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said "GOD BLESS YOU, each and every one of you!"  And he walked off stage.....

The audience exploded into applause.  The graduating class found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval.

Isn't that a wonderful story? 

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Finally, the day our Senior's had been waiting for!!  June 16, 2013 had arrived.

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The Honor Guard

On the left, Jeremy, with the Cayman flag and the right, Landy, with the Christian flag

The Dignitaries and Staff proceeded the Graduates

Dennis ~ Head Administrator and Pastor

Pastor Alson

Pastor Forbes

Ms. Tara

Mr. Bernie (Government Official)

Mrs. Lorna (Government Official)

Officer Sharon

Mr. Burton

 Mrs. Karen

Mrs. Treaty

Mrs. Pat

Mr. McTare

Miss Samms

Mrs. Hermina

Miss Blake

Mrs. Mazie hiding behind Miss Blake

Miss Raisch

Mrs. Benjamin

Mr. Benjamin

Mr. Haylock

Mr. Bruce

We have a great Staff here at Wesleyan.  Sadly, four of them are leaving this year and moving on to do something else with their lives.  We will miss them, but we are getting some new one's in their place who I'm sure will be just as wonderful!!



Graduation Part #2

The Graduates Marching In

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

John

Josh

Kendra

Parker

Melissa

Kimberly

Amanda

Jehu

Ashley

Getting ready to start a new chapter in their life!



Graduation Part # 3

Naithique led the congregation in "God Save the Queen" our National Anthem and "Beautiful Isle of Cayman".  He did a good job!

Dennis getting ready to do the Invocation

The "Dignitaries"

My good friend, Officer Sharon, representing the Royal Cayman Islands Police.  She looks pretty relaxed, doesn't she?  Haha!! 

Melissa giving her Valedictory Address.  She was very good and had everyone's attention.  She is rather shy, but seems to be coming out of her shell more and more!!

Pastor Alson gave the Commencement Address

Some of the Graduates sat on one side of the Church while . . . . .

the other's sat on the opposite side.

We just had Election here in May and this lady, Ms. Tara, was newly elected to the Government as the Minister of Education.

Melissa and Kendra played a duet ~ To God Be the Glory



Graduation Part #4

Receiving their diplomas

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

John

Josh

Kendra ~ Salutatorian

Parker

Melissa ~ Valedictorian

Kimberly

Amanda

Jehu ~ the picture I took of Dennis handing him his diploma was blurry

Ashley

The Salutatorian led them in "changing" their tassels

A group picture

The graduating class sang a song that was beautiful ~ "Faithful"

The Pastor from Kendra's Church spoke a few words and then prayed a prayer for the Graduates

This was taken in the Sanctuary while the others were taken from the Sound Booth

Here they  come

Misha was part of the Honor Guard as she carried the Bible.  The picture of her going in at the beginning was blurry, so I took one when she came out.

Graduation Part #5

My good friend, Sharon, clowning around.  She had to stop the procession a pose :o)

This is Abigail.  She and her husband, Carlson, are from Grenada and teach in the High School.  This was their first year at Wesleyan.

Sharon wanted someone to take our picture.  I love her!!  She is hilarious.

The girl who had my camera then wanted to take a picture of Dennis and I.

We wish all the 2013 Graduates from Wesleyan the best that life has to offer and to follow God's leading in their lives!!  This was a very busy weekend with all the festivities BUT a good weekend!!  Now my summer vacation has started.  I'm doing (much) work but not in my office :o)

Happy 6th Birthday, Caden Andrew ~ June 23, 2013

Caden,

Grammy and Pappy love you soooooooo much!!  You are growing up way too fast.  It's hard to believe that you are 6 years old today.  I'll never forget when Daddy called me in the middle of the night to go to the hospital as you were ready to make your appearance into this world.  He was on his way from Florida as that's where he was stationed in the Air Force.  I got up and got ready and rushed out the door to the hospital.  Just as I pulled up near the entrance your Daddy called and said I was too late.  You couldn't wait any longer and you were born!!  I couldn't wait to get up to your Mommy's room to see you.  Of course, you were the most beautiful baby I had ever laid eyes on :o)  I have tons of pictures of you and it was so hard to choose only a few.

~     ~     ~     ~     ~

Your first Easter 

At the hairdresser sitting on Great~Grammy's lap

Getting ready to go to Church

When you lived in Tampa we'd come visit and always had to go out on the pier at the Bay fishing.  Here you were playing peek~a~boo.  Look at those nasty bug bites!!

At Ohio State Fair where we watched the horses and then John Deere tractors

Now you are the BIG brother

At Red Rocks, Colorado last summer on our short vacation with your family

Shooting one of Pappy's guns

You just completed Kindergarten and soon will be going into 1st Grade.  That does not seem possible!  My heart is hurting as we won't get to see you this summer.  I hope it won't be too long until you visit us again!  You make my world go around, Caden.  When I feel sad all I have to do is think of you and everything gets better!  You brighten my day!!  I hope that you know how special you are to us.  Although we won't be with you again on your birthday, we'll think of you a lot!!  Call us on Skype or Face Time and tell us about your big gift, okay?  

You are the apple of this Grammy's eye!!

We love you with all our heart!!

Grammy and Pappy

XOXOXOXOXOXO