Are There Any Scholarships in Those Awards?

I am so proud right now, I’m amazed my head is still attached to my shoulders. Patricia had her moving-up ceremony yesterday morning at school where all the fifth-graders get certificates and have a reception afterwards. Each student got to walk across the stage, shake hands with the principal and get the certificate from their individual teachers (there are three fifth grades). After the students all got their “diplomas,” the principal then said there were two additional “surprise” awards to be given out. The first was the Triple “C” Award, generated from state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office, which is given to students who exhibit “character, commitment and courage.” The principal read a letter from Cuomo about the award, and then called Patricia to the stage.


After receiving her Triple “C” Award, the principal said they award academic excellence for students who scored “4’s” in all areas in all marking periods. The only two to be called up to the stage – Patricia and her friend since kindergarten, Nicole. Both girls arrived at the City School District as fourth-graders when St. Peter’s School closed, so the two to be recognized for academic achievement had their foundation set at St. Peter’s. I couldn’t have been prouder.

Today at school, she received even more awards for participation in the Odyssey Program (gifted and talented) in math and English Language Arts (ELA), for reaching (and exceeding) her reading goal for the year, for perfect attendance and she was the student selected from the fifth grade for the art award.


To top off her two days of awards, she had her hair cut in a bob this afternoon and is donating the 10-inch pony tail to Locks of Love. Next up: the Nobel Peace Prize and canonization.

Both girls have to make brief appearances at school tomorrow morning, and then that’s it. This weekend, we’ll be working at the St. Peter’s annual June festival. I’ve organized the book sale each year for the last five years. Previously, it was for fair-share tuition at the school, but now it’s just community (church) service. My fellow garage-sale shopper and salesgirl, Patricia, will join me behind the tables. If I can’t find a babysitter, Margaret will be watching Brigid because there’s no way we’d be able to handle her at this event.


After the July 4th weekend, Patricia and Margaret start the summer theater program at the college where they will attend a three-week workshop that culminates in a production. This year, they’re doing the Little Mermaid adaptation called “Once on This Island.” Last year, as readers of the blog may remember, they were in “Seussical The Musical Jr.” Both had such a good time and enjoy performing, I told them they could do it again this summer. After that, we’re on vacation and will visiting my friend in Vermont and then going on to Cape Cod for a few days. By then, half the summer will be gone, and they’ll be thinking about back-to-school shopping. Too bad Target won’t be open in time for that. If only I could hold off buying them anything until October, but then, they’d be going to school naked for six weeks. Given Brigid’s recent proclivity for nakedness, maybe I can send her along as well.