Grade 8 Graduation

It's been a REALLY long time since I've done a blog post but I thought since this is a pretty significant event in Bradyn's life, I should jump in and do one.

As you are all aware, COVID-19 has really thrown a wrench into everyone's normal life plans.  Kevin and I have been working from home since March, not only trying to adapt to our situation but also trying to help Bradyn navigate her way through a new way of learning online since she did not go back to school after March break.  It has been challenging but I am proud of the way our family has powered through and made things work.  

I'm sad for Bradyn.  This was definitely not what we had planned for her Grade 8 year.  Their French Immersion class trip to Quebec in April had to be cancelled, along with school dances, rugby season and the ultimate end of Grade 8 right of passage - graduation.  Bradyn says grade 8 graduation is no big deal but I know that on some level she has definitely felt the disappointment about many things COVID has caused her to miss out on.  We're slowly opening our 'bubble' and Bradyn has been able to meet up with friends and spend some time together outdoors, respecting social distancing.  But I know it must be hard for her.  Although Bradyn claims to be 'socially awkward', I see her thrive when she's around her friends and other people.  I hope we can all look back a year from now and maybe not smile, but feel that we weren't too 'damaged' by this global pandemic.

The staff at Maple Creek did make sure that the graduating class got a chance to purchase clothing to commemorate the end of their Middle School chapter.  Bradyn was pretty excited to pick hers up.

In true Bradyn fashion, Bradyn said that if she had designed them, they would have said "Maple Creek Class of 2020 - What the hell was that?"  lol

Despite not being able to have a 'proper' Grade 8 graduation, the staff of Maple Creek Middle School did a wonderful job of making graduation special for the kids.  We signed up for a 30-minute time window on Thursday June 25 so the students could get their certificates, get a graduation photo taken and, I think, get some closure to their school year.  When Bradyn returned her textbooks and picked up her yearbook and report card on Wednesday, they also gave her her graduation certificate.  A bit odd, but we made sure to take it back with us on Thursday to get photos with it.

I don't know if I necessarily believe in fate but someone was absolutely looking down on Bradyn on Thursday, wanting her to have the best Grade 8 graduation experience she could have, despite the situation.  As we were sitting in the car in front of the school waiting our turn to get up to the doors of the gym and go in, Bradyn's best friend Lily stuck her head out of the car ahead of us!  And her other best friend, Hailey, was in the car ahead of her!!  We could not have planned that any better if we tried.  In addition to being BFF's, Hailey, Lily and Bradyn were co-captains of the wrestling team this year and led the girls' team to their third straight District Championship title - something I know Kevin will never forget or stop being so proud of.  Despite the rule about staying in our cars while we waited for our turn to go into the school, we all got out of our cars to take pictures of the girls' last day at Maple Creek together.  Again, as fate would have it, we were right outside their classroom and got a shot of them in front of it.

Absolutely beautiful.  Look out Charles Best Secondary!

Not only did we run into Bradyn's BFFs, but we also ran into Mr. Shepherd - Bradyn's Grade 6 and Grade 7 homeroom teacher.  "Sheep" as she affectionately calls him, is Bradyn's favourite teacher to date and you can tell they have a very special bond.  Mr. Shepherd looked genuinely happy to see Bradyn, gave her a hug virtual hug and touched his heart while telling her she better come back to visit.  It was very sweet to watch.

As we waited in our cars, the teachers were walking back and forth with signs, talking to the kids and cheering for them.  It really was nice.

The first person we saw when we entered the school was Bradyn's Grade 8 teacher, Mme Theriault.  Although Bradyn has seen her on Teams meetings several times a week for the last few months, it was nice to see Mme in person one last time.

Our graduate!  

Not a great photo angle but they had a stand for you to put your phones on so you could take your own family photos with your graduate.

Kevin of course noted that they finally got the girls' wrestling banner from last year put up, but no sign of the 2020 Girls District Champion banner yet.  (although we have been told it's on order)  On that note, we got a lovely email from Mr. Lee on Friday.  Mr. Lee was Bradyn's wrestling coach in grades 6 and 7.  Although he transferred to another school for grade 8, he still came back to coach the wrestling team because he wanted to be part of the girls' final middle school wrestling year.  He is a lovely man and was so genuinely proud of the girls.  I hope we cross paths with him again.

We had to do our obligatory school photo in front of the front yard gate.  So many first day of school pictures have the same backdrop so it seemed appropriate to have one on Bradyn's last day of middle school.  I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by and that in 11 short weeks our baby girl will be starting high school!  What a beautiful girl.  

Here is Bradyn at her preschool graduation from Westwood Montessori.  

She may be 9 years older, but i still see glimpses of my little girl (but damn she's gotten tall).

Oh and don't forget about Bradyn's Grade 5 graduation from Panorama Heights!  Love that she chose classic little black dresses for both occasions.

Although Bradyn doesn't think so, Thursday was a big day.  I think the only way I got through it with no tears is because it wasn't a traditional ceremony.  We had laughs, photos and Bradyn got to graduate without sitting through a long ceremony.  I'd say it was pretty perfect.

Please stay safe and healthy.