8th grade promotion and party

Sebastian graduated from middle school this week. Monday and Tuesday were busy with final exams, but on Wednesday the entire 8th grade had a field trip to Oaks Amusement park. (Seb noted it was smaller than he remembered; he also went on the big rollercoaster, a testament to the power of peer pressure.) And on Thursday night, West Sylvan held a promotion ceremony in the Lincoln High school gym.

 

Last day of 8th grade! 

We had to buy some new, non-sweatpants and hoodies clothes for the event. The classes paraded in and took seats, and then came up one by one to be introduced by their block teachers. Each class had 1-2 student speakers, who were variably interesting, but all impressively self-assured and well spoken. It was sweet.

There was supposed to be a reception afterwards, but the hallways were crowded and it was pouring rain outside, so we mostly just fled to cars and home. Still, a good shot with Cason.

And then on Friday night, the parent foundation threw a dance party for the 8th graders. Seb's friends gathered at Ethan's ahead of time for some food and photos, and so they could all arrive together.

L to R, back row: Abdur, Josh, Ethan, Nathan, Wyatt, Nursun, Nick. Middle row: Peyton, Seb, Opidi, Nico, Jack, Max, Luke. Front: Cason and Aiden. Most of these boys have been friends since kindergarten at Forest Park.

I volunteered to pick up Seb and some other boys and to help clean up after the party, mostly because I wanted a reason for a sneak peek at the dance scene. This group of kids didn't get a 6th or 7th grade party, so this was their first middle school dance and I was so curious. The boys reported that the first hour was awkward, and everyone stood around the sidelines feeling bored, but then it picked up and everyone got on the dance floor and stayed there until the lights came on.

Seb and Gabi; Seb and a mess of friends.