awards | Still Learning Something New

Every May, our homescholling support group celebrates the end of another year of homeschooling. This celebration includes a graduation ceremony for those leaving kindergarten, eighth grade, and twelfth grade. This year our group had twelve graduates, two kindergarten, four 8th grade, four high school, and for the first time in our group’s history, a mom and son graduating homeschool college.

There were senior and college graduate speeches. One senior sang and was accompanied by his dad on guitar and younger sister on piano. Our Creative Ministries troop, SALT, performed during the program.

This family in the next photo is so special. Our families have known each other for years. They have been most active and helpful with our groups activities for since they began their homescooling journey. And we have gotten together many time outside of the support group. They invite my B15 to go to events with them. They come to special church events with us. Seven years ago, this boy was in a 5th grade special education class in a public elementary school. He was taking several behavioral medications. The school evaluated him at a 1st grade level. Therapists had told her that he probably would not be able to learn to read, write, perform math, or be a self sufficient adult someday. She took her son’s education into her own hands. She took him off the medications. She taught him to read, write, do math, drive a car, get a job, and manage his own finances! It’s been a difficult for them to get to this point. They have not had family support. The mom is currently battling cancer for the second time. He takes care of her. There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience by the time they finished their presentation.

Families without graduates still participate in the ceremony by presenting their children with awards for something they have achieved during the year. My husband presented awards to our kids. He gave our homeschool a history award for our studies of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.

Z7 was given the “Independent Study” award.

J10 earned the “All Around Improvement” award.

B15 was awarded for “Scriptural Character Studies and Application”.

E17 received an “Honor Roll” award and the “Super Girl” award for academics and extra curricular activities.

I wasn’t left out of the awards. My family gave me one too, “Computer Achievement”.

Families also set up display tables featuring awards, photos and projects from the year. This was our homeschool’s display.

E17 and I had been on the decorating committee. We had an expected head count of 120 guests for the reception. We planned for more, which was a good thing because we had close to 200 guests attend!

Several of our group’s members brought potluck style finger foods and drinks which made for a delicious, four table long buffet. We had a bakery cake made for dessert.

Silver Lining, the homeschool color guard, was the entertainment during the reception.

Graduation/Acheivement Night is always my favorite homeschooling event of the year. I’m so proud of all the families in our homeschooling support group and love to hear about their accomplishments and see what they’ve been up to throughout the school year.