Our neighbor Aaron graduated from Valencia Community College this morning with his AA.  Except he didn’t get his diploma yet – he can’t get a college diploma until after he graduates from high school!!  Aaron’s been dual-enrolled for the past two years, completing his last two years of high school and his first two years of college simultaneously.  He comes over often to work on homework with Rich and Squirt.  He just found out that he’s valedictorian at West Orange High, too.  Congratulations, Aaron!  We know you’ve worked really hard, and we are so proud of you. :)

Note: click on the pictures below to view and download full-resolution copies.

Aaron stood in line for over an hour to get extra tickets so that Rich and I could attend the graduation ceremony.  We were excited to get to go!  I tried to say thanks by taking non-embarrassing pictures… :)

The Tickets

Valencia decorated one of the Orlando Lynx buses with the names of this year’s graduating class.  The bus was on display at the Silver Spur arena before and after the ceremony.  We found Aaron’s name, in red because he graduated with a 3.75+ GPA.

Lynx Graduation Bus

Carla helped Aaron put on his cap.

The Grad and his mom!

There are rodeos held at the Silver Spur arena, and there’s a status of two bulls fighting near the entrance.  Peter wanted a picture of Aaron in front of the bulls.  Then when I suggested a family photo, Peter wanted it in front of the bulls too!  I told Carla that we could Photoshop in a nice background later… :)

Proud Family

A few last-minute preparations, then Aaron headed off to get ready with the rest of the grads.

Aaron

The rest of us went inside to find seats.  We were there early enough that we had great seats at the front, near the stage.

Stage

The graduates all came in from the back, and we had no idea where Aaron would be.  We watched and watched, but we missed him walking in.  Ironically, a thousand miles away in New York, Carla’s sister Lana did see Aaron walk in, on the Internet streaming video of the graduation ceremony.  Technology can be pretty cool!  We finally spotted Aaron when he stood up to move to the stage.  They called his name, and showed his picture on the huge TV screen…

Our graduate!

We watched carefully as he walked back to his seat, so as to not lose him again…

There he is!

Aaron finally saw us, too.  There he is, in a sea of black gowns and smiling graduates…

Thanks for sharing your day with us, Aaron!