Samantha's Graduation

After a few years of trying college thanks to prodding from her Dad & Mom, Samantha enrolled in cosmetology school late last year. After 10 hard months of three 10-hour day a week schooling in addition to working three to four days a week, Sam finally fulfilled a lifelong dream and completed her coursework, graduating from the Aveda Institute in Brandon. Tara & I flew in to celebrate and attend her graduation ceremony today, and we were joined in celebrating all of Sam's hard work by Grandpa Gary & Grandma Terry, Uncle Steven, Uncle Dwayne & Aunt Erica, Donovan, as well as Payton and his parents, Jerry & Shelly.

There ceremony itself was pretty informal. It started with Samantha ringing a gong, presumably signifying the end of her time as a student at the Aveda Institute. Each of her instructors then spoke about Sam, most sharing how much they enjoyed having Sam as a student during her time there, and a couple of them even teared up as they spoke. One part required someone to place pin Sam with an Aveda pin, and I was truly honored when Sam granted me that honor (and my eyes may have watered a bit as well too). After she received her certificate of completion, the ceremony was over. All that was left was some photos with Sam!

Graduation - Aveda Institute Brandon
		Samantha being handed the mallet by Laquinta...
		...before hitting the gong, marking the end of her training.
		Sam listening as her instructors talk about her.
		Sam's instructors, Dani, Morgan, and Laquinta.
		A close-up of Sam.
		Dani tearing up as she read her letter to Sam.
		A few shots of Samantha listening to her instructors...


		Laquinta talking about Sam.
		Morgan getting ready to read her speach.
		Laquinta giving Sam a hug...
		...and Morgan doing so as well.
		Instructor Mr. David talking about Sam as the other instructors, Dani, Morgan, and Laquinta listen along with Sam's fellow students Ady, Gabi, and Nicole.
		Sam getting a hug from Mr. David as Ady, Gabi, and Nicole look on.
		Samantha calling on Rodney to put on her Aveda pin.
		Rod placing the pin on Sam's dress...


		Another shot of Sam during her graduation.
		Laqunita, Dana, and Morgan posing for a photo with Sam.
		Sam was getting tired of being the center of attention by this point.
		Samantha posing with her Aveda certificate...



		Tara, Samantha, and Rodney...

		Sam posing with her fellow classmates, Scarlett, Gabi, Ady, and Reyna.
		Sam posing with Ady...
		...and Gabi...
		...and Reyna...

		...and Reyna.
		Sam holding her certificate while waiting for others to join her.
		Samantha posing for a photo with Payton...

		Sam laughing with Grandma Terry, her most regular family member client at the school...
		...and posing for a photo together.
		Grandpa Gary & Grandma Terry with Sam.
		Sam with Payton's parents...
		...Shelly & Jerry.
		Shelly, Payton, Sam, and Jerry...

After the ceremony, all of those who attended the graduation headed over to The White Oak Cottage in Lithia to have a celebratory luncheon in Samantha's honor.

Sam was given a few gifts while we waited for our food, including a sweatshirt with her name on the sleeve from Jerry & Shelly and a Pandora charm from Grandpa Gary, Grandma Terry, Uncle Dwayne, and Aunt Erica. Rodney & Tara chipped in for the final tuition payment.

Dinner was good, but due to some lingering guests we were forced to sit at diagonal tables instead of across from each other, making it feel a bit like two separate parties, but we made the best of the situation.

Congratulations Samantha on achieving one of your dreams today. We know that you will be a success at whatever you send your mind to, and continue to make us proud to be your parents! We love you kiddo!

Graduation Dinner - The White Oak Cottage
		Samantha showing off the sweatshirt from Jerry & Shelly...
		...which even has her name on the sleave.
		A close-up of the Pandora charm from Grandpa Gary, Grandma Terry, Uncle Dwayne, and Aunt Erica.
		Sam showing off the Pandora charm box.
		One of our tables hosted Donovan, Uncle Dwayne (not present at the moment), Grandma Gary, Uncle Steven, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica...
		...while the other table say Tara, Samantha, Payton, Shelly, Jerry, and Rodney (also not present as he was taking pictures).

Graduation - Aveda Institute Brandon

Samantha being handed the mallet by Laquinta...

...before hitting the gong, marking the end of her training.

Sam listening as her instructors talk about her.

Sam's instructors, Dani, Morgan, and Laquinta.

A close-up of Sam.

Dani tearing up as she read her letter to Sam.

A few shots of Samantha listening to her instructors...

Laquinta talking about Sam.

Morgan getting ready to read her speach.

Laquinta giving Sam a hug...

...and Morgan doing so as well.

Instructor Mr. David talking about Sam as the other instructors, Dani, Morgan, and Laquinta listen along with Sam's fellow students Ady, Gabi, and Nicole.

Sam getting a hug from Mr. David as Ady, Gabi, and Nicole look on.

Samantha calling on Rodney to put on her Aveda pin.

Rod placing the pin on Sam's dress...

Another shot of Sam during her graduation.

Laqunita, Dana, and Morgan posing for a photo with Sam.

Sam was getting tired of being the center of attention by this point.

Samantha posing with her Aveda certificate...

Tara, Samantha, and Rodney...

Sam posing with her fellow classmates, Scarlett, Gabi, Ady, and Reyna.

Sam posing with Ady...

...and Gabi...

...and Reyna...

...and Reyna.

Sam holding her certificate while waiting for others to join her.

Samantha posing for a photo with Payton...

Sam laughing with Grandma Terry, her most regular family member client at the school...

...and posing for a photo together.

Grandpa Gary & Grandma Terry with Sam.

Sam with Payton's parents...

...Shelly & Jerry.

Shelly, Payton, Sam, and Jerry...

Graduation Dinner - The White Oak Cottage

Samantha showing off the sweatshirt from Jerry & Shelly...

...which even has her name on the sleave.

A close-up of the Pandora charm from Grandpa Gary, Grandma Terry, Uncle Dwayne, and Aunt Erica.

Sam showing off the Pandora charm box.

One of our tables hosted Donovan, Uncle Dwayne (not present at the moment), Grandma Gary, Uncle Steven, Grandma Terry, and Aunt Erica...

...while the other table say Tara, Samantha, Payton, Shelly, Jerry, and Rodney (also not present as he was taking pictures).