Today was graduation day for our seniors. To me, it was a day early as we usually have graduation on Fridays. Because of it being a day earlier than normal, I almost didn’t get our senior tribute video completed. I kept thinking I had an extra day!

During graduation we show a “video” as a look back over the seniors’ high school experience. The first part consists of a baby picture followed by a senior photo for each of the graduates. The second part contains candid shots from around school and at school events. Each section is set to appropriate music. I was up reeeealllyyy late last night going through all of the photos I’d been collecting over the years. It was extremely difficult to narrow them down to a manageable level AND make sure I had one for all of the graduates (which I never do, but oh, well!) From experience I knew to be organized and had been pulling out senior photos all year long. I still spent most of the morning editing the photos and adding the music and effects.

Thankfully, I got all my tears out during the time it took to pull the video together and only teared up once during the ceremony. This is the second graduating class that I’ve taught since the kids were incoming freshman. Five of my actors as well as six of my crew were among the graduates, making if feel as if my own offspring were leaving me! I’ve worked, cried, screamed, laughed, and bonded with these kids for the last four years! I don’t want to see them leave, even though it is time for them to go off to bigger and better things.

Today also marks the end of the school year, even though we have one more day for closing up our rooms. Of course, I’ll not be finished for a few more days, still lots of library books to inventory now that textbooks are (mostly) taken done. I’m soooo looking forward to having a new assistant principal next year and turning over textbooks to him. SC is moving to a statewide textbook circulation system and, lucky us, Aiken County was one of the first ones to convert. Since our current asst. princ. is retiring this year, and he’s not too tech savvy, I agreed to be trained and assist him this year. I know, never volunteer, as they tell me I’ll never get rid of it! But Mr. Mac is the best and I’d do anything to help him out. The school is loosing one of it’s best assets, that’s all I’m saying.

Anyhoo, just needed an outlet to reflect on the closing of another school year. They never tell you in library (or teacher) school how hard it is to let go when you get attached to students, teachers, administrators, and staff. We’re loosing some great folks. I just have to keep in mind that we’re getting new folks, and new folks mean new excitement, enthusiasm, ideas, and more. So, adeu Class of 2008 and here’s looking forward to a new school year….after two months of summer vacation to recharge!