This past Friday night one of my great nephews graduated from high school. The high school that he went to is a small school in a small town with about 30 seniors that graduated this year. 

I was very impressed with the academic achievements of the students as well as their athletic achievements and abilities. One student received a large rodeo scholarship. There were several full scholarships to a couple of universities. And then there were baseball and volleyball scholarships in the athletic department. While football is king in the south, I don't recall any football scholarships.  Those 30 students racked up a cool half million dollars in  scholarships!!!

Another thing that impressed me was the great sense of community pride and support there was in that graduating class and town as a whole. (I live in another community).  I listened to how so many community organizations and churches had supported the school and the students. I heard the accounts of how the students had worked together and played together throughout their 13 years of school together. I listened as one couple expressed their gratitude to the students and teachers as they handed out scholarships in the name of their son, who was a senior this year and graduating posthumously as he died a few months ago. The gym where the ceremonies took place was packed to the ceiling with parents, family and friends. 


The most important thing I was impressed with was our nephew.  I was so very proud of him. I know of some of the struggles and hardships he has had during his high school years. While he didn't graduate cum lade,  so far as his family and friends that love him are concerned, he graduated with the highest honor of all.


Congratulations Alex!!!!   The best is yet to come....