High School Graduation - Class of 2025

Madison graduated from East Forsyth High School, today, May 17th, 2025.  The years have certainly glided by, haven't they?  This isn't a new experience for so many of you veteran parents out there, but it's kind of a big deal to us, our only child graduating with honor, looking stately in her cap and gown. 

Here she is getting her diploma - or at least a folder that will eventually hold her diploma.  None of the diplomas will be ready until Monday, I think.  Regardless, the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony still remained.  Literally:  the students walked in, and the parents beamed.  One thing of note:  we knew about the sunlight here at the arena, and made the wise choice to sit on one side, and we were really grateful for that - the heat of the day was intense on one side of the arena, while we were enveloped in shade with a nice perpetual breeze.  Mom and I got there as Maddie did, about a hour and a half early.  We saved seats for the tickets we were able to give to Nana, Ye-Ye, Nate, Camille and her husband Chris, and Maddie's other taekwondo friend Chris and her Mom Sarah.  Little by little everyone arrived, and we were ready to see Maddie walk in as the music played.  And that's when the tears came.  We're so very proud of Maddie.  Her friends were watching online in Florida and here in Georgia - Emma sent this video to us as she watched online.

Can we talk about the weather?  It poured rain this morning, and a lot yesterday, and pretty much every day this week in an unpredictable pattern.  And yet not once - not once! - did it interfere with Maddie's plans for senior picnics, senior sunsets, and even this graduation.  The weather was perfect, and we were so blessed.  We even got these really nice seats so that there weren't any people in front of us in the front row of the stadium seating, so we could see perfectly the entire thing, and we could see Maddie as she was seated there.  She turned back to look at our group from time to time, and what a dear group of friends to join us in attendance!

Maddie is part of the first group to ever attend East Forsyth for all four years.  She walked the empty halls before the first class, and like all the other students that first day, she was there for the very first day of school as a freshman.  Dedicated to this Class of 2025, there was an Alma Mater composed and sang here for this new school.  That was sung, and also another song advertised as "You'll Be In My Heart," although we were sucker punched when the choir instead sang "When She Loved Me" from "Toy Story 2."  What the heck?

When Maddie's name was about to be called, I knew we didn't have air horns or cow bells like others, so I got with the crowd around us, and asked them all to scream really loudly for Maddie when her name was called.  Wow, we had an entire section screaming - it sounded like roller coaster screams from some of those women.  It was hilarious!

I can watch this over and over again though.  So proud of her!

Before the ceremony, slides appeared on the screen for each student, and despite Maddie's name starting with a "C," it was still a good wait to see hers, but there it was, along with a picture of her first day of elementary school.  

It was a wonderful day.  When Maddie lined up and joined the procession out the arena, she was a high school graduate.  She and all the others turned the tassels, and  as she left, she met us outside.  Nana and Ye-Ye gave her a tremendous gift and told her how proud they were.  Camille and Chris had some really nice things for her as well, gifts like a sweatshirt and other very thoughtful things.  It was enough that they showed up for this event, and yet they gave so much more.  And then there was Chris and Nate, Maddie's taekwondo friends, both there to cheer for her.  We sat and talked and hung out there - just like all the other family members and graduates - for a good while, before making the decision to head to the car.

We said our grateful goodbyes to everyone, and afterwards, Nate, Maddie, Mom and I went to Dairy Queen - along with pretty much the entire population of Forsyth County.  We were determined though, and even though the drive thru line went all the way out into the road, we got in line, because Dairy Queen seems like a nostalgic graduation tradition for some reason.  The employees there were super nice, and we got some really tasty ice cream!

The caps getting thrown!

The lengthy speech by the principal.  

Maddie returns to her seat after getting her diploma.

Maddie shakes hands with the principal as she gets her diploma.

Waiting in line with the other "C's."

The superintendent announces everyone has met requirements to graduate!

Speeches by classmates.  Maddie is to the right in the crowd.

Love the themed floral arrangement with school colors.

The choir sings a depressing song about a toy being left in a box alongside the road.

Mom and I are so very, very proud!

Maddie's slide shows up on the screen before the ceremony.

Maddie takes a selfie before the ceremony.

After the graduation.  Timeless pictures.

Maddie, Sarah, and Chris.

Silly photo with the family!

Grandparents, Parents, and Maddie too!

Happy Family!

Chris, Camille, and Maddie

Maddie joins us after the ceremony.  Took a moment to find each other!

 

Maddie and her grandparents

Maddie and her guy-friends!

Nate before the ceremony.  

Chris, Camille, Mom and I before things get started.

Nana and Ye-Ye enjoyed the ceremony.

Chris and Camille were happy to join us here.

Before going in for graduation, one more selfie!

Nate and Maddie

Maddie and fellow graduate Addison

Maddie took a lot of these photos with her phone before, during and after the ceremony.

It was quite a day.  We got home late, of course, and we were all very, very tired.  But what an unforgettable day.  Again, we're so very proud of her to the point that it's easy to get emotional and teary-eyed.  We're so happy for her!