Hattie had her spring orchestra concert last week. She’s worked so hard at the cello…it’s still a work in progress but she seems to really enjoy it. She was excited that they played a piece from Harry Potter, and even more excited that Gigi made it to her concert!
It’s been a busy weekend full of celebrating. My sweet niece Macy graduated from High School and we were thrilled to help celebrate her and the wonderful young lady she has become. We had a great day with family for Mother’s Day, and of course we sang Happy Birthday to Macy (18) and Leah (15)! I hope they get to celebrate together for a few more years. They’re the sweetest. Cheers to all the moms today. I hope you felt all the love….but mines definitely the best.
These two ladies had their end of the year Band and Orchestra concert on Friday night. They looked beautiful and were rocking their little black dresses! Even more impressive is that they continue to maintain straight A’s in advanced classes and still have time to focus on sports and arts. Mr. Ward always puts together a wonderful show. The Jr High Jazz band was great and I loved that I had a great shot of Bug rocking the bells. Six years later and Leah is still loving the violin and we love to watch her play. Well done, ladies!
Last Night was the Jr High Awards Night. I had the honor of presenting. Kiersten walked away with academic honors in all 4 major academic areas AND Spanish! Well earned for the kid who really struggled adjusting to Jr High after our return from Spain. She worked hard to convince herself that she couldn’t handle the accelerated course load…and then had to rebound and convince herself that she could. Well done, my love Bug.
Mt. Zion schools are doing some big things!!! Back in September Hattie was so excited to tell me about the blue stem reading challenge. The students were given a list of 20 books to read. Out of 200 kids, 40 teams…. Tonight the final 6 teams battled for the championship! Hattie’s team called themselves the Golden Readers. They did a great job. I was so impressed with their ability to remember details of the books AND the authors. The Golden Readers took 2nd place! A big thanks to Mr and Mrs G for bringing this program to Intermediate. Hattie had a blast!
Kiersten has really hit her stride in Junior High. It took a while to transition back from expat life, but she’s figured out how to shine. She’s been totally invested in being a captain (as a 7th grader) on the Mt Zion Jr High Scholastic Bowl team. And it’s extra special because she’s doing it with a few of her closest friends.
And tonight Mt. Zion Jr High Scholastic bowl team are Regional CHAMPS!!! They went up against John’s Hill, Monticello and Maroa-Forsyth in some well fought battles of the brains, and came out on top. Kiersten competed in all 3 matches. She’s had so much fun getting to know these kids and adores her coaches…and my friends, Ms. Grinestaff and Mrs. Abbott. Well done, Braves!
Other than taking the trophy, the highlight of the night was seeing these swim friends engaged in a little competition outside of the pool.
Where to begin?!?! The weekend didn’t go the way we planned. She had high hopes for this meet, she qualified for 6 individual races…but then the fever hit, and then the cough and she didn’t get out of bed for most of the week. But you have to play the hand you’re dealt. And I’m beyond proud of Leah for not quitting. She said the 200’s almost killed her, but she survived. She dropped in the 200IM, we’ll take the win. She was seeded 10th in her backstroke, and finished the weekend on the podium.
Kiersten worked her tail off to qualify for 3 13/14 races having aged up the week before YMCA State Championship. She had a great drop in her 100 breast and in her 200 IM after just dropping in those races two weeks ago.
The highlight was watching these swimming sisters in the relays together. They are quite the duo! Their medley relay took 8th in the state and their freestyle relay took 7th. We’re so proud of them. On to long course season!!
That’s a wrap for Miss Hattie’s short course season. And she went out with a bang at the Illinois YMCA State Championship. She started the meet with a great time drop, almost 8 seconds in her 200 free and took 12th place. Followed it up with a stellar medley relay. She was probably most excited to finally be swimming with her bestie Bella again. Bella was out for almost two months with a broken arm and they crushed it in the relay. I was most excited that Hattie swam her best 50 fly time and Bella anchored the relay. They were seeded #6 and took 4th. Today she started the meet with almost a second drop in her individual medley. And then her freestyle relay went fast taking home 3rd. So proud of these little gator girls and their efforts this year.
