Kā’eo - full of knowledge -

Yesterday was Sydney's 6th grade graduation from St. Joe's. A very emotional moment which made C&I glow with pride.

Her teacher as she called each one of them up to get their Diploma, called up their names and also called them up by a Hawaiian name that she gave to each one of them. A name that would represent the personality of each kid. Names were as varied as the kids themselved, there was: Energetic, Curly Hair, Tall Man, Honest, Peaceful, Reliable, Dependable, etc. Here is a video of when she called Sydney up. Her Hawaiian name: Kā’eo

That was Sydney's first trip to the podium, there were going to be several more to follow...

The ceremony opened with the 6th grade band playing several pieces, they sure have come a long way from the first day she picked up the sax...

Then each 6th grader wrote a note of thanks to their parents, here is Syd's

After their diplomas were given out, then came the academic awards. These are awards given to the student who had the highest grade average in each one of the subjects they took throughout the year.

Social Studies: Sydney Romo (Clap, clap, clap)

Science: Emily (clap, clap, clap)

Religion: Johnelyn (clap..)

Math: Sydney Romo (clap, clap, clap)

Reading: Sydney Romo (clap, clap, clap) at this point some of the other parents around are starting to give us wicked looks....Jeri behind us is asking us "did you guys know she was going to get all these awards?"

Principal's Award (given to the student with the highest overall grade average): Sydney Romo (Woooo Hoooo! Go Syd'o!) -now we were really getting all the stares from the crowd

Presidential Award (given by the president of the US, the good one too, the one from Hawai'i, not W, to students who have kept high grades from 4th through 6th grade) : Sydney Romo (and two others) (CLAP CLAP CLAP!!)

Then they went on to give her a diploma and a wooden pen for having won the state stage of the 18th Annual Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest for 6th grade (CLAP CLAP Woo Hooo! CLAP CLAP CLAP)

So, yes, she stole the show, and yes, we were incredibly proud of her! so when she said earlier that the only way she would wear a dress...

was if she could wear it with Converse Shoes, we said "Of Course!"

After all, she gets her sense of fashion from me, like father, like daughter