Senior Events: Prom, Awards, Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation for Our Girl

It's been a whirlwind of senior events for the one and only girl in Casa Martin, and we have celebrated her to the fullest!  Starting with a Memorial Day party on my side of the family:

Grad school graduate, and 2 high school graduates this year

Then it was time for Senior Prom!  When the big boys went to prom, we bought them a suit (or they borrowed from a brother) and they took a shower, shaved and put it on.  Boom.  Ready for Prom.  It's verrrrrry different with girls, even with a girl like Maggie who is a very low-maintenance, not in the least bit vain, overall sporty girly.  But for the months leading up to Prom, there was dress shopping, jewelry shopping, shoe discussions, nail appointments, hair appointments, and flower ordering.  Her friend Raf asked her to go to prom with him, and she was very happy to have him as her date.  We couldn't take our traditional lighthouse photos because it was raining off and on, but we managed some at the house:

We were trying to come up with poses!

Then all the seniors went to a friend's house for photos and some food:

This is when I told them to leave room for the Holy Spirit on the dance floor :)

Then off to their high school for the Promenade (when each couple gets called out on stage, and does some kind of handshake or pose - it's optional):

The kids all boarded the busses and went to Newport, RI and had a beautiful night:

The Maggies

Six of our Scoopers!

Then the busses drove them back to the high school for After Prom, an all-night party put on by the parents with lots of food, games, prizes to keep the seniors safe and together.  Maggie said the whole night was nice, but that she had probably built it all up in her head and couldn't help but feel like it didn't live up to the hype.

Monday evening was Senior Awards, where Maggie's name was called so often that we were all a bit embarrassed to be honest.  She got 12 awards and has received $9000 in outside scholarships that she applied for (so far).  The principal told her she should have sat closer to the stage because she was wearing a line in the carpet.  At one point she looked over at her brother and said "I feel like such a pick me.  I'm such a try hard."  Um yeah girl, that's what happens when you actually try hard and are involved in ALL the things.

Phil's parents came up from Maryland on Tuesday to visit and attend the rest of Maggie's graduation events, and Maggie went to Senior Sunset that night, and God did not disappoint with his nightly painting:

The next day was the Baccalaureate Mass, which was beautiful.  Maggie gave the opening speech and Xander served the Mass.

  The school has a tradition where a few teachers hand out scallop shells to the students, and students line up in front of which teacher they want to get the shell (and blessing and hug) from.  One of the teachers selected to hand out shells was a newish teacher and the music teacher, so many of the seniors had no relationship with her as students.  Therefore, the other teachers' lines were long while the music teacher was waiting at times for a student to get in her line.  I whispered to Phil that it was so sad to see the music teacher waiting for a student while other teachers had long lines.  

Well our girl Maggie did not disappoint.  When it was time for her row to go line up, she walked right over to the teacher she never had to receive her shell.  My heart (and eyes) burst with pride at my good-hearted daughter who would rather sacrifice her wishes to make someone else feel better.  That small, mostly unnoticeable act made me happier than all the public awards and scholarships she has received.  Maggie is a beautiful soul who teaches us all how to love like Jesus.

The next day was graduation!  Phil is a senior teacher and is used as a substitute teacher for the rest of the year once the seniors finish classes.  They also rope him into helping set up chairs for graduation or whatever else is needed, which he doesn't mind at all!

Early in the day

A coworker caught Phil and Maggie hugging as they were all lining up to walk into the graduation ceremony:

Meanwhile, one of Phil's coworkers' picked up all our parents from their car and brought them right over to their seats on the field, talk about perks!

Another perk is that because Phil's been teaching there for 23 years, we score the front row at graduation and I can take photos easily.  I pay it forward by taking and texting photos of any student to their moms whose numbers I know.

My favorite grad

My favorite faculty

Faculty and Staff who have children graduating get to hug their kids after they walk across the stage to get their diploma, it's very sweet:

Then we took some photos really quickly because we had to book it to make our 7pm reservation at a restaurant on the water.

There was a band playing at the restaurant that is made up of former students of Phil's:

I always think of Maggie when I see a sunset.  Sunsets are her thing!

My friend, the other Maggie's mom, sent me this prayer that makes eyes leak.  You've been warned.

Congrats Maggie!  You have always been a wonderful daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend to all.  We are excited to see what new roles you take on as you grow.  I remember reading a study that said boys who grow up in a house with a sister become more emotionally intelligent, more empathetic and better communicators.  You have certainly helped us all in this testoster-home by your presence alone.  You have always been the girl who befriends the lonely or outcast, would rather help someone else succeed than earn the spotlight, and you have the most joyfilled and kind heart and deepest faith of any teenage girl I know.  Your handwritten cards are the best gift to receive as you pour out your heart and make us feel so loved and seen.  We always joked that you should work for Hallmark!  You inspire me in so many ways and I couldn't possibly love you any more than I do.  I can't even think about the college drop-off in the fall, but instead will savor the summer moments we have left with you, Maggie Moo.  You're our favorite girl in the world!