That's right. Parts of Wannaska country are already starting the summer vacation countdown which means one glorious thing for kids out there: School is over.
Warroad hosted commencement last night, featuring four senior class speakers. The class of 2019's motto, "Our lives are before us, our pasts are behind us, but our memories are with us forever," resonated as they shared memories, inside jokes, and many thanks to all the adults in their lives - parents, teachers, administrators, lunch staff, custodial staff and bus drivers - who navigated them through the halls of Warroad from Pre-K through Grade 12. The Valedictorian gifted his peers and the crowd with three solid takeaways: Be honest, be kind, and be yourself. I can still recite them, which is one hallmark of an excellent speech. (I hope he joins Toastmasters in college.)
Admittedly, I was a little wary of the number of speakers, but last night taught me that four 10-minute speeches are easier to listen to and absorb than two 20-minute speeches, so good call on the part of the organizers.
The Kakaygeesick Family Drum performed "Honor Song" and the recessional. The collective pulse of our community rang through the beats and I am sure my head wasn't the only one bobbing in time.
If you've never been, save the date for this summer's powwow happening June 21-23 at the historic Cherne Property in Warroad. I haven't seen the advertising yet for this year's, but here's the lineup from the 9th Annual Traditional Powwow of 2018.
The high school band played a pep band medley that brought out my inner teen with hits like Final Countdown, 867-5309/Jenny, Hey, Soul Sister, Louie Louie and another song that opens with an awesome bari-sax solo - you know, ba-ba-ba-baaah, ba-ba-ba-baaah - which I can't remember the title of. But if you heard it, trust me, you would know it.
Also worthy mentioning, 44 of the 76 students of the class of 2019 earned over $1.7 million dollars in scholarships. Whoo-wee! That's a lotta cash!
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| New buddies |
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| A new instrument? |
That's the crazy thing about living with two cultures and two langues - you also get two homes. When we go to Czech Republic to visit family, it feels just as much like home as it does here in Wannaskaland.
Here's what I started reading this week:
Nonfiction: The Man They Wanted Me to Be: Toxic Masculinity and a Crisis of Our Own Making, by Jared Yates Sexton
Fiction: The President Is Missing, by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
The oldest and I set out tomorrow for what I'm calling #CollegeRoadtrip. She complains that I'm an over-sharer and I complain that she's an under-sharer. So we'll see what we can agree on sharing for next week's blog post!
Kids' Corner
WAKWIR was en route to CZ and will be reporting back next Saturday from across the pond.
In the meantime, he's happy with his new tooth. His older sister was so stressed out in the final two weeks of finishing up classes, she developed a small case of TMJ, which meant back to the dentist. All other dentist appointments are scheduled for the beginning of July. The First Grader is signed up for swimming lessons.
New Favorite Kid's Book: Ribbit
This little gem is about a pig who visits a pond of frogs. When the pig says, "Ribbit!" the frogs go ballistic. WHY is this pig saying, "Ribbit?" (Hint: the value in speaking another's language.)
And here's a snippet of WAKWIR's older brother from last Sunday's Wenzel recital.
In the meantime, he's happy with his new tooth. His older sister was so stressed out in the final two weeks of finishing up classes, she developed a small case of TMJ, which meant back to the dentist. All other dentist appointments are scheduled for the beginning of July. The First Grader is signed up for swimming lessons.
This little gem is about a pig who visits a pond of frogs. When the pig says, "Ribbit!" the frogs go ballistic. WHY is this pig saying, "Ribbit?" (Hint: the value in speaking another's language.)
And here's a snippet of WAKWIR's older brother from last Sunday's Wenzel recital.
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| WAKWIR with his uncle - the international language of chess |
On This Day
Historic Highlights (credits)
2002 - A China Airlines jumbo jet breaks apart in mid-air
The Boeing 747 aircraft crashed into the Taiwan Strait, leaving no survivors among the 225 people on board. The accident was caused by improper repairs 22 years earlier, and the airplane was far beyond the serviceable life recommended by Boeing in terms of the number of flights, total hours in the air, and the number of years in service.
1979 - American Airlines flight 191 crashes shortly after takeoff
The photo showing the lopsided DC-10 hurtling towards the ground at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is one of the most horrifying images in aviation history. All 258 people on board died.
1979 - Etan Patz disappears
The disappearance and murder of the 6-year-old boy from New York City and the extensive publicity it received helped spark the missing children's movement.
1977 - The first Star Wars film is released
George Lucas' epic space opera encompassing seven films is one of the most popular works in movie history.
1963 - 32 African countries form a coalition against white rule
The Organisation of African Unity was founded to promote decolonization and end white minority governments in Africa. The OAU was replaced by the African Union in 2002.
Happy Birthday to You!🎶
1976 - Cillian Murphy, Irish/English actor
1974 - Frank Klepacki, American drummer, composer
1899 - Kazi Nazrul Islam, Indian flute player, poet
1803 - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, philosopher
Remembering You
2006 - Desmond Dekker, Jamaican singer-songwriter
2005 - Graham Kennedy, Australian actor
1934 - Gustav Holst, English composer
1848 - Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, German author, composer
992 - Mieszko I of Poland
Enjoy some pulled pork and graduation cake this weekend and make it a great Saturday!
Kim
2005 - Graham Kennedy, Australian actor
1934 - Gustav Holst, English composer
1848 - Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, German author, composer
992 - Mieszko I of Poland
Enjoy some pulled pork and graduation cake this weekend and make it a great Saturday!
Kim
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| Emerson quote from Warroad Commencement 2019 |
ReplyDeleteIn the airport pic at the top, your youngest looks like he's checking his phone.
Too funny! No, no phone. Just Lightning McQueen. :)
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