The Grand March or Part 2 of Graduation Day

Graduation Day with our girl.

We've come a long ways from the header photo, haven't we?

Its been two weeks since Ashton's graduation. I have been busy going through all the great photos that Aunt Jean, Margaret and Allison had taken of the big day and big night. I can't thank them enough for all the photos they took (and organized)so that we will have memories of the big day. The photo above shows a delighted Ashton with a gift from Auntie and Uncle Robbie, her very own personalized stethoscope! And of course, its in her favorite color.Her Aunt Christina and Uncle Cory gave her this delightful book. Her Junior High and High School cheering coach gave her the LLBean tote in her school colors, filled with the neatest survival kit for college freshmen. Ashton received so many wonderful gifts, jewelry, a gift card to the college bookstore which she thought was great and many other great gifts. She has been very busy in the two weeks since graduation day. She has worked two 12 hour day shifts at the hospital, has worked on the weekends at the nursing home and is currently being trained to be an ER Tech for the summer months on an evening shift. Hopefully we will see her once in a while before she leaves for college. Now on to the Grand March....Our high school is the only school left in the nation that still has a Grand March! It is at 8 p.m. on graduation night. The young ladies wear long, white gowns and mandatory white shoes and the young men wear white tuxedo jackets and black pants. I participated in it 34 years ago and nothing has changed. The girls carry a bouquet of white and red carnations and at the end of the marching, separate the bouquet into two, one for her mother and the other for her escort's mother. Here are just a few (!) photos.

The parents walk into the gym ahead of their children.
Ashton and her escort on one of the many turns around the gym.They walk together as couples, then singles and then back together as couples. It is very intricate and involves two weeks of daily practice-mandatory! The couples weave in and out, and march four across then march in a circular pattern and then back to couples.

Check out this blog for a video of the marching. http://3geminigirls.blogspot.com

In the next photo the couples are being presented to the audience, their names are announced and the bouquet separated to be taken to their mothers. Ashton is the seventh girl from the left. In the next photo Ashton and her fellow graduates are waiting while the other couples present their bouquets. Mark and I think we had the best parent seats in the house! Ashton and her escort dancing the traditional first dance. Ashton chose Mark to dance with her for the traditional "Father-Daughter Dance". He was honored to be chosen. Dancing with her big brother Benjamin.
With Grammy.
Ben, Ashton and Allison. With her "second family", Uncle Robbie, Robyn, Tiz and Auntie.

With Eric.
And with Eric's mom, Pat.
And one of my favorites, my girl having a great time. Mark and I are so very proud of you Ashton for carrying yourself with grace through the evening and for Benjamin for being there for you as well, for Auntie for "saving" the day and Mark for being so gracious as well. You all know what this means and it meant so much to me to see Ashton surrounded by all of her loving family. And I couldn't resist the next two photos, the first taken 17 years ago on the day Ashton was born. I remember saying that day "I will have to start saving for her Grand March dress". I have so looked forward to this day but sometimes I dreaded its arrival, as it meant that soon after Ashton would be leaving the nest. The day was filled with mixed emotions but happy ones.