We got a pleasant surprise this week. We found at that during her first semester, Bri made the Dean's List at college.
We were not surprised. She put in a ton of work and spent hours doing homework, as well as studying at the library.
Congratulations Bri. Great work!!!
It is hard to believe it, but today marks the end of an era, a major milestone, a huge achievement. Our daughter, Bri, graduated from Danvers High School.
The occasion was both bittersweet and monumental. It marked the end of 13 amazing years in the Danvers schools with a collection of phenomenal accomplishments, as evidenced by her cords and awards on her graduation gown. But, more important, it marked the beginning of an amazing new chapter that she is about to write.
Watching her march onto the field and get her diploma was an emotional moment. In fact, seeing many of these faces we have come to know over the past decade was truly a touching moment. Families we have known and forged friendships with cheering their own children as they graduated was also so moving and touching. And, wondering what those children will do is also quite a feat.
The day was one that we will always cherish. It marked the third generation of Emmie's family to go through DHS. The first included her Mom (though at a different DHS), Uncle Murray and Aunt Nancy. Then, her brother Eric and she graduated. And now Bri represents generation three. What an accomplishment. Adding to the graduation ironies was the fact that I girl I graduated with - who is now a mom - had a daughter graduate with Bri. Wow.
Seeing Bri embrace the future - and her friends - while holding firmly to the memories is something I will savor forever.
Congratulations Bri. I can't wait to see what comes next. Love you, always!!!
It is hard to believe that Bri has officially become an adult today. It seems like just yesterday Emmie and I were at Beverly Hospital, with Emmie trying desperately to make Bri a "Star Wars" baby instead of a "Cinco de Mayo" baby....which we missed by about an hour.
Today we had a chance to celebrate 18 amazing years. So many, many good memories have happened in this time. From sports and recitals, to school programs, musicals, awards, and band concerts - Bri has truly been a marvel.
We were able to have some fun today, from getting lunch to going out to eat. We had a blast listening to her official 18th music CD (it has music related to memories from over the years), having dinner at Cheesecake Factory, opening presents, and having some cherry chip cake.
We are so lucky to have such an amazing daughter. I can't wait to see what the next steps bring...well, the first one starts tomorrow when Bri can vote in her first election (the Danvers local election)
Happy Birthday Bri!!!
I just got in a few minutes ago, from helping to put away tables at the DHS Pops night. Although I am a little bit tired - and just dropped Kiff and his friend AD, to his house, I felt I had to make sure to write this down immediately after it happened.
Tonight was Bri's last time performing in Band on the DHS stage. In fact, it might be her last band performance ever, which is so hard to believe. Years of playing flute, that started in 4th grade at Highlands, has culminated in this moment.
The Pops night Gala was a fun and memorable night. We actually somehow got tickets right up front, which was amazing. It was neat to see band and chorus members up close and see exactly how they sound. We saw many of Bri's and Kiff's classmates and friends on stage.
And it was hard to imagine that - for the seniors (who were given special shout-outs all night) - this was their final show.
They played four memorable last tunes - a Chicago (musical) medley, Beuaty and the Beast medley, Bruno Mars medley. They capped it off with a song the Seniors played as freshmen, called "Ruckus."
It was quite a great scene. There was a brief reception after as well, where we got to see so many of the families we have gotten to know over the years, particularly the Dawes, whose daughter wrapped up tonight as well. She and Bri have done gymnastics, dance, and scouts and eventually Band together. What an amazing run!!!
It is hard to believe this musical adventure is over for Bri. But, I am hoping there are many more!!!
Earlier today at school, I was talking about Bri to one of my students (who I also had in 5th grade).
The student said, "Oh, I didn't know you had a daughter."
To which I replied, shockingly, "You had me in fifth grade and you forgot?"
She asked about Bri and I said, if you look up her name and Danvers High School, you might find a picture.
While she was having trouble finding the name, I decided to look Bri up...and I find out something super cool. As a member of the DHS track team last year, she actually made their record book, kept by Max Preps.
In the 100 meter dash, as a junior, she ranks in the top 20 all time with her score from last year, as you can see below.
The first time around did not go so smoothly for Bri. She bumped into a curb when she was parallel parking, which means you automatically have to do it again. So, needless to say, she was nervous.
However, she had been practicing all this week - particularly her parallel parking - and reviewing what she needed to work on (checking her blind spot when backing up and stopping before entering an intersection from a parking lot).
Although she was nervous - as most of the kids were there today - and had to wait long, it was worth it. At about 9:37 AM she was off. She returned 6 minutes later, looking stoic. Of course, it turns out that the exam driver didn't tell her if she passed, either, so it took her a moment to realize that when he said, "You did good," and then she checked the permit she had to bring for the test, it became clear she passed.
It was amazing!!! Her face beamed as I took her picture and she had a special skip in her step. She couldn't wait to get home to tell Emmie (who, along with Kiff, congratulated her via text). And according to Bri, she did the best parallel parking she ever did (and she even showed me the red car she parked behind).
That was just one of her successes this week. She found out yesterday that she now has set the family record for SAT scores with a 1320. Zoinks!!!
It was an amazing night as Bri was inducted with several friends, such as Erica, Raina, and Alaina. There was a nice ceremony where the officers of the prior year explain the traditions of the NHS and also share a little bit about the requirements of being in it.
Each student was called up for their photo opp moment. However, what was neat is they did about 12 book awards for various colleges. This is an honor bestowed by former alumni of a college to juniors that comes with an actual book, a certificate, and a waiver for applying to the college. Erica got one, but the surprise of the night (at least for us and Bri) is when she was called up to get one.
She earned the Suffolk University Book Award, which was awesome. Ironically, her uncle, Mark went there (so of course, we texted and showed him the picture right away). It was an honor that pleasantly surprised all of us.
What is even more fun is that this marked the second day in a row that Bri got into an honor society that one of her parents was in. I got into the National Honor Society back in high school many year ago.
What was funny about this is that Bri was actually invited to join last year, but declined, thinking it was extra work. As a result, it was mainly sophomores who were inducted...but there were a handful of juniors as well.
It was a quick ceremony - those are always fun - but it marked the first honor society that Bri literally shared with one of her parents. Emmie was inducted into the Spanish version of the society when she was in high school. Very cool!!!
The honor society is dedicated to students who excel in the music realm and hope to share their love of music with others. Bri got in for her grades, but also her ability in concert and marching band.
As part of the induction, students have to perform. Bri performed a color guard routine I Aint Worried by One Republic. It was an amazing performance.
What was just as neat was seeing other people that Bri has known and grown up with over the years get inducted as well. It is amazing to see how far they come.
After, we went to Cherry Hill to celebrate. Though there were not too many people there, Bri and Kiff knew all of the people ordering at the three other windows...which was wild!
Congrats to Bri on being inducted into her first High School Honor Society.
Tonight was the second marching band performance of the year. It started off great, with the annual potluck dinner. That is always a fun time. However, the band performance was cut a lot short. Periods of rain in the area made the half time show literally cut in half.
Emmie and I help run things out on the field....but we cut back what we did so know parents had to be on the field. Instead, we were able to watch a pseudo-show...which was awesome! We got to hear Bri get called out, which was cool.
Of course, her way to celebrate was to have an AP European History Test (which is ironic, because the day after, is Coronation Day for Charles III).
She got to come home early from school, which was nice. Emmie was home, which helped with that. Then, we did our scavenger hunt (we made sure the last clue when to the garage, where the loft was completed today). Wow! We then blew out candles on her cake. She opened a few gifts, including her special necklace for turning 16.
We then journey as a family, with Carlos, to Ruth Chris's, one of Bri's favorite spots. That was a lot of fun...and the meal was pretty good, too.
The ride home was an adventure because Storrow Drive was shut down and then we had to try to cross the Mass Ave Bridge....which was packed. The ride, which is usually 36 minutes, was about 75 minutes.
We got home, had a slice of cake, and went to bed. We will move onto Day 2 of celebrating her birthday.
As I am watching a solid Celtics vs. Rockets game, I am reflecting on the fact that Bri's last basketball clinic was today. And she came a long way.
