We’ve celebrated a lot of things over the years, but the Last Day of School Walk of Fame has always been my favorite.
It’s not elaborate or expensive, but it brings me more joy, pride and excitement than almost any other tradition we have. It’s such a small, intentional way to remind the boys just how deeply they are loved and how proud we are of them.
And so… year fifteen!
Just like I’ve done every May since John finished kindergarten, I lined the sidewalk with signs celebrating the year’s accomplishments, both big and small, in and out of the classroom. I print ten or eleven pages for each child on cardstock and stake them along the driveway. And every single year, I cry.
What makes this tradition especially meaningful to me is that it goes far beyond grades and accolades. I keep a notebook all year long where I jot down moments the boys are proud of, things we’re proud of as parents and milestones I never want to forget. The Walk of Fame celebrates not just accomplishments, but growth, character and the heart behind it all.
It’s hard to believe Whit’s senior year is now loading.
As a junior, he tackled his toughest academic schedule yet with a full load of honors classes and SIX AP classes, all while remaining on the highest honor roll the entire year. He handled the workload with his usual calm and collected nature. Stressing? Rarely. Complaining occasionally? Absolutely.
This year also brought induction into both the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society, honors that reflect not only academic achievement but leadership, character and service as well.
One thing I especially loved seeing this year was Whit getting more involved socially at school simply for the fun of it. He joined several additional clubs including pickleball, which quickly became a true passion, and hacky sack – apparently yes, it’s back. And I especially admired his reason for joining speech and debate. He recognized it as an area where he wanted to grow and become more confident, so rather than avoiding discomfort, he leaned into it.
Whit continued to shine on the cello as part of chamber orchestra, and goodness, we have loved hearing him play at this level. We are genuinely sad he’s chosen to hang up the cello next year in order to complete the drafting pathway at school and earn additional certifications, but we’re proud of him for thoughtfully pursuing the things that excite and challenge him most.
On the golf course, he wrapped up his third year as MVP of the Varsity Golf Team and earned another bar for his letter jacket at the end-of-year banquet.
And perhaps most impressively of all, he logged seventy-five hours of community service this year entirely on his own initiative. About two-thirds of those hours were spent with K-9 Corps, a student organization that trains and researches bloodhounds under the guidance of a retired Secret Service officer. Whit served as president this year and navigated quite a few challenges with new school leadership and changing rules surrounding student clubs. The remainder of his service hours were spent working with senior citizens and young adults with special needs through bike rides, summer camps, bingo nights and weekday hangouts. His school neither requires nor tracks volunteer hours. He simply serves because that’s who he is.
And while all of those accomplishments make us incredibly proud, one of my favorite things to witness this year was watching Whit’s social life truly blossom. He found such a wonderful group of friends and has had the best time going to dinners, playing pickleball, catching movies and simply enjoying this season of life. He continues to surprise us with his big heart, quick wit and quiet confidence in who he is becoming.
I look at this picture of my “baby” and honestly wonder where the time has gone. Because somehow, impossibly, this sweet boy is now staring senior year in the face. And I am fully in denial.
But one thing is certain: I plan to soak up every single moment of this next year with absolutely no regrets.
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