Mark graduated on June 25th.  Our experience since then makes the graduation seem almost insignificant.  Of course, it’s not insignificant at all!  He finished fourth in his class, he earned a ton of academic awards and recognition, he was a 12 season varsity athlete, and he was Captain of four varsity teams.  The Cross Country teams he led were County Champions twice and performed well at the State level.  The Track team enjoyed similar success in what was billed as a year of rebuilding.  And of course, his “part-time” sport of Fencing was a blast!  He finished 9th in the State Championship but ultimately was ranked 6th in the State.  It was a successful High School career.

Graduation marked the transition to the “real deal”.  We’re going to have some stories to share as the next few years go by.

But first, a side note: one of the coolest things about Mark’s High School is their bagpipers.  These kids are incredible!  Led by the bagpipers, the school band is so good, that every year they’re invited to march in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  In fact, they’re so freakin’ good that this past year they were invited to take the #1 slot in the parade — that is an incredible honor!  They’re the group right behind the Grand Marshall.  Incredible!

Of course, the bagpipers led the way in and out of graduation.  I had to jump in front –

The young man on the left is a long-time friend of Mark’s (of everyone’s frankly…great kid).  He leads the bagpipers, and he received about $8 billion in scholarships because he plays multiple instruments very, very well.  He also earns $90 a quarter hour when asked to play the bagpipes at an event.  I wish I were him.

Okay!  A few photos –

Kristin was working, so she couldn’t join the family photo.  Next year it’s her turn!

Paris worships the ground Mark, Kristin and Cameron walk on — can you tell?

And of course, how could we finish without a nice picture of Mark and Susie?  We couldn’t…so here we go:

Congratulations Mark!  (By the time he’s allowed to see this, it will seem like a million years ago…)

This part of the Trunzo family isn’t big on the concept of an eighth grade “graduation”.  We don’t see this event as the completion of anything — it’s more of a beginning.

So as callous as it may seem, we don’t celebrate the “accomplishment” as much as the “opportunity”.  This is the beginning of a time when a whole new world of opportunities open up for our kids.  Cameron is still sorting through the tremendous opportunities he has ahead of him, and tonight, he started it off in style.  ”Cameron” Style…

This is what Cameron thought of the event.  See what I mean by “Cameron” style?  He’s not easily impressed.

This is the big moment!  He’s a little more interested now.

A Happy Camper.  He kept asking me when he could go back to his friends.  Cameron…always been his own dog…

Dad and Cameron.  Important note for our close friend Sami — that’s a linen Fashion-Nazi, my friend.  Anyone else that can figure that out gets bonus points.

And save the best for last…Karen and Cameron.  When Cameron was three, he announced to anyone that would listen that he had “his Mommy, his Daddy, and his Karen”.  There…I embarrassed him.  She’s certainly saved his ass more times than I have.

Congratulations Cameron!

Paris makes her entrance.  The sunglasses were her idea…

Anxiously awaiting…

Finally!  After all these years of hard work!  Diploma in hand!

The girls celebrate!  Kristin still keeps her Nursery School diploma framed in her room…

On to kindergarten!