Today Hannah graduated from high school.

This was not a normal graduation where the kids just walk across the stage and get their diplomas. Each graduate gets to choose a teacher or administrator to present them. They give a short speech about the student and then the student has an option if they want to say something. It is the most intimate ceremony you can imagine. Hannah chose the superintendent, Mr. Lapic.

And then she surprised us by going solo. Yes, I cried like a baby. In fact, throughout the whole ceremony there were many many tears shed by everyone there. Each student had their own story and many were very moving.

The school live streamed the event so Nikki, our oldest, was able to watch it with her family from Dallas and she sent me this text after it was over.

There are so many photos because today was such a special day.

The 2024 graduating class of East Texas Charter School. (all 34 of them)

One thing we love about this school is there is no valedictorian, salutatorian or honor roll. That’s not the point of this school. They just want to make sure everyone improves their lives and does the very best they can.

Hannah and Gavin

Hannah and Mr. Lapic

The family picture. Please note that I had cried all of my makeup off and that, I promise, Jackson is happy. He NEVER smiles in pictures and it drives me so crazy. I think he does it to me on purpose.

Two of Hannah’s favorite teachers.

The teacher above was a godsend to us because he helped her in algebra to where she actually understood it.

What great teachers she had.

inside her diploma envelope, there was a copy of the program and all of the teachers had signed it.

You don’t get this from large public schools, that’s for sure.

After the ceremony we went to lunch at Fun Noodle Bar. It’s a new place that we hadn’t tried and it was really good. There is a glass wall where you can watch them make the noodles.

It was such a great day! Then I went home and took a 4 hour nap. It was much needed.