We had quite a few end of the school year activities that were special for 8th graders. We had a 10 mile hike and hung out for lunch. Our class went to Level Up for a fun time. Then, of course, we had our 8th grade dance. I wasn't really looking forward to it, but I had a pretty good time. I had Lilah come over and she did my hair and make up. It was so much fun doing that with her. I met up with several friends for the dance.
Mom and I went dress shopping for graduation and I fell in love with the first dress I found! Graduation was the night before our last day of school. Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Tom, Papa Ron and Linda came into town to celebrate. I won quite a few awards: President's Education Award for Academic Excellence, the Scholarship Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, Certificates of Achievement for Excellence in Math, Science, and English, and Outstanding 8th Grade Student. The last award was only given to 2 students in the class (but it actually went to 4 since they divided our class into two.) I didn't know I was going to receive it and didn't realize what a big deal it was. I really thought I was ready to leave middle school and move on to high school, but I came to mom's school in a puddle of tears. I am going to miss my teachers so much. They are so special to me and have shaped a lot of who I am.
We had our last 2 weeks of youth group. Next year will be really different because some of the younger kids will be joining us and it will change our dynamic. Mom took Emily and me to Michael's 10 year anniversary dinner on The Roof. Our Youth group had a fun night at the Hoell's after school was out. A lot of kids went swimming, but I worked hard to make a basketball shot across the pool and finally did (after approximately 93 times of trying!)
Since school has been out, I have been filling my time with so many things! I went over to Aaron's a couple days after school got out because I had to watch Emily while Mom was still working. I met up with Lila, Lucy, and Olga for dinner at Fazoli's one night. Mom, Emily, and I went over to Aaron's for Memorial Day to hang out. Dad has been home a lot because he injured his back and had to have surgery. Aaron was able to come over here to hang out after I went to watch one of his basketball games. I also went over to one of his parents' friends houses while they were house sitting to go swimming. I went over to Lila's one afternoon to make bracelets to trade at the Taylor Swift concert. I went to Lilah's birthday party at Hulen Lake with a few of her school friends, me, and Alaina. I went to the dentist (I love that feeling!) and had an open house at Battle High School for summer school.
I was really nervous to start summer school, but the teacher seems really cool and the work is really easy. We just do packets and I'm done in less that two hours (but have to stay there from 8:55-12:10.) At least I will get my health credit out of the way!
I have been loving all my volleyball opportunities. I have been doing sand volleyball lessons with Antonija and several other girls and have learned so much. We had our first sand volleyball game and it was so much fun I almost peed my pants twice from laughing! We won 23-3 on one set and was pretty close on the other two. The other team was so funny and just wanted us to finish beating them. The parents enjoyed heckling us from the "stands". I have been doing volleyball lessons with Sydney at Cedar Ridge. I really enjoy her style of teaching and am working on serve receive and passing. I have gone to several Missouri Juniors Open Gyms and Clinics and have been able to play with the 17s and 18s. I really love being challenged and know that I need to impress our new coach Maci because I will be at church camp during tryouts. I was only able to go to one Mizzou activity because of all my other events. I went to Fast Fours with Lilah and had so much fun. It was kind of like Queens and I got to play with Mizzou players. Lilah and I worked hard to be on the same court each time! And finally, Battle High School named their new volleyball coach so practices have started! Coach Sami Tidwell seems to be really good and I'm looking forward to impressing her too!
Lilah, making me over
Approximately half of my class
Sand volleyball
