Graduation Day

Here it is: the day that kicks off the start of my gap year. Graduation! I'm officially done with high school and have an exciting year to fill with adventures and fun before heading to Harvard in fall of 2014. 

Graduation was wonderful. My sisters and other family on my dad's side (my grandparents, Sophia, Aunt Susu, Uncle Gregg and Aunt Susan) all came to town to celebrate. The weather was nasty. There had been intense thunderstorm the day before and the morning was gray and rainy. The slippery rocks and muddy ground on campus made graduation slightly more difficult, but the ceremony was still great. Unfortunately we couldn't take the traditional panoramic class picture in front of the chapel before graduation but had to take it on the Helm stage afterwards which was a shame.

I was awarded highest standing for the year (tied with one of my best friends!) and was awarded the Brewster medal for biggest overall contribution to the school.

One of my best friends, Emily, who also got Highest Standing

 It was super exciting to finally receive our diplomas, but obviously bittersweet. I'm ready to go on to new things and expand my horizons, but I loved St. Stephen's and will miss it. Seven years is a long time to spend in a small community and it makes me a little bit anxious to be striking out on my own. However, I think my time at St. Stephen's has prepared me well for whatever I choose to do now.

After graduation and pictures we headed to Chez Zee for a celebratory lunch with friends and family. The food was delicious and it was fun to be around everyone and exchange graduation gifts. Selina left for the airport in the late afternoon and it was sad to see her go but I'm so happy she was able to make it to graduation, it was fantastic to be all reunited as a family.

Graduation Lunch at Chez Zee

In the evening, I went to dinner with Nathan at Bess' Bistro on 6th street. We were both pretty sleepy after a busy day, but the food was good and we ended the evening with Amy's and presents. Nathan gave me some great gifts which will be super useful on my gap year, such as a camera, pocket dictionary and notebook. It made me even more excited for my year, it all seems a lot more real now.

 So it's officially summer for me! Which means the official start of my gap year. Graduation hasn't fully sunk in; it was all so hectic and overwhelming that I don't really think it has hit me that I'm done. I'm no longer a high school student. How strange. That being said, I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me and am looking forward to new beginnings!