Friday, May 31, 2024

Graduation Celebration

We celebrated Jeffrey's graduation from Century High School today.  Caz, Ashley, and Camden drove up yesterday, and they were soon followed by Kevin and Kay who drove over from Boise.  This morning we got ready to attend the graduation ceremony which was held at the Holt Arena.  Century was the first high school out of the three Pocatello schools, and it started at 12:00 noon.  We were joined by Grandma Sims and John and Karen McNabb.  We sat near the front and had a good view of Jeffrey who was sitting in the first row of graduates.  The ceremony was very efficient and only lasted about an hour.  We all returned home and had a nice meal with BBQ beef sandwiches, mac & cheese, orange Jell-o salad, and a variety of fruit and vegetables.  We watched a video about Jeffrey, and he opened cards and gifts from grandma and the kids.  We had a nice visit with everyone.  Jeffrey left in the evening to attend the Senior All Night Party at Century High School.

Jeffrey's Graduation Video

Saturday, May 25, 2024

Patty Duke Award Show

Wendy, Kaleb, and I drove to Boise this weekend to attend the Patty Duke Award Show at the Morrison Center located at Boise State University.  We arrived early enough to meet up with Kevin and Kay at their home.  After a short break we went together to see the red carpet event at 5:00 p.m.  All of the students who participated in the show got to walk the red carpet and have their pictures taken as friends and family cheered them on.  We waved at Jeffrey and spoke with him briefly as he passed by.  He had been in Boise all week to work with the technicians and sound design for the award show.  He stayed in a dorm room on campus.  We had about an hour and a half after the red carpet before the show started so Kevin, Kay, Kaleb, Wendy, and I went to eat dinner at an Idaho Pizza restaurant close to campus.  We made it back to the Morrison Center, and I was surprised to see how busy it was.  The seats were nearly full.  The show was well done and six schools presented a song from their musical.  Jeffrey was recognized for Outstanding Sound Design, and he sang with the other Century High School students as they performed, "Bikini Bottom Day" from the SpongeBob Musical.  Will Leavitt was chosen as one of the two students to attend the Jimmy Awards in New York City which is the second time a student from Century has been chosen to go.  Jeffrey returned home to Pocatello on the bus while Wendy and I stayed at Kevin and Kay's home for the night.  We had breakfast with them and did a little shopping before driving home.

Sunday, May 19, 2024

Jeffrey's Last Days of School

Jeffrey has had a busy month, and we have been trying to keep up.  On April 24th, he participated in a band concert where he played the French Horn.  On April 27th, he attended the Prom with several friends.  During the first week of May, he worked as sound designer for the Spring play, "They Promised Her The Moon," which Wendy and I attended on May 11th.  On May 14th, the Century Choir performed a concert, and they sang two of the songs that they performed in New York City, along with several other songs.  On May 16th, we attended the National Honor Society Graduation where Jeffrey received a stole, cords, and a medallion that he will wear during his High School Graduation at the end of the month.  Friday, May 17th, was his last day of high school.  The Senior class is excused from school on Monday the 20th, and then Jeffrey will be in Boise, Idaho to work on the Patty Duke Award Show.  The Seniors do not have to attend any classes for the final week of school.  On Saturday, May 18th, Jeffrey participated in a Century Band BBQ at F.M.C. park.  Wendy and Kaleb also attended.  They later brought me a plate at the airport.  Saturday evening was the Drama Awards at Century, which went from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Jeffrey and Will sang "BFFs" from the Sponge Bob Musical, and Jeffrey took home the Best Technician Award.  He was also given time to say a few words about his time in theater, and he made some nice comments.  They also announced next year's productions which will be "The Twilight Zone", "Big Fish", and "Wyrd Sisters".  Wendy and I may have to go watch "Big Fish".  We were hoping it would be the musical they picked.  The Drama Awards was our last event at Century High School that would include our children.  It's hard to believe we have been going there off and on for the last twenty years.  On Sunday, May 19th, Jeffrey attended Seminary Graduation at the Alameda Stake Center.  We had refreshments afterwards, and one of his English teachers approached us to compliment Jeffrey about his work ethic and standards.  I told Wendy that it was hard to see everything coming to an end.