Project Graduation

I went into this not expecting very much at all

I was, as usual when it comes to Melbourne, pleasantly surprised

I thought it would basically be a lock in at the High School

Maybe a game or two to keep the kids awake

What we ended up with

Was a huge building at the fair grounds

Decorated to the max

Mounds of delicious food

A live DJ for karaoke

And something else

I’ll explain that in a minute

These kids were separated into teems for competition

They won prizes and money that was donated by the community

We live in a town of around 1700

The people of the town and some of the local and surrounding businesses

Donated thousands of dollars

Enough to give each graduate $250 at the end of the night

Not to mention the prizes given away throughout the night

I would bet each graduate received anywhere

from $300 to $500 in cash and prizes with at least

3 or 4 getting more than that

I know one of them won a laptop

As I said before I thought it was just going to be a lockin

with a little money thrown in to keep the kids from partying

and possibly dying on these curvy mountain roads after a few too many celebration drinks

well, it did keep them safe

but it did so much more

they actually had a great time

and the last chance for all of them to be together

turned into a night of bonding and laughter

it truly will be a night they will always remember

and so will I

it’s true

I did enjoy my daughters fun filled antics with her friends

But some part of it changed me

My daughter said she didn’t like school

But I think its more like she didn’t like getting up in the morning

I hated school

If you know me you have probably heard me say

that I would rather go back to Marine Corps boot camp for 18 years

then to go back to high school for 4 years.

I changed schools eleven times

And I learned to only make a couple friends

Because they would soon be gone

Or better yet, I would be gone

And once again I would be the new kid again.

I found out tonight that in High School

I defiantly missed out on a lot

I spent my time being angry and bitter

When I could have had an enjoyable

Pleasant experience

These kids showed me something tonight

And Melbourne Arkansas once again

Has renewed my faith in mankind