Havana's Heading to High School (8th grade graduation!)

 

This coming Fall, we will have two High School students in the house.  That is because our Havana Ruby Modesta has graduated 8th grade. Havana still had to go to school this morning for a half-day but last night, she stood on the outside stage, amongst the majestic and sacred redwoods at Canyon,  delivered her graduation speech, was handed her certificate and officially became a High School student. 

Havana looked beautiful and confident up on the stage; there was no evidence of the nervousness that hit prior to her arrival. There was no evidence of the shy young person who hates public speaking. Havana took the stage and delivered a thoughtful and moving speech about her year at Canyon, where she was able to finish up Middle School, in a Montessori/Waldorf academic environment. We saw through that speech how that environment supported her to grow, push herself and be herself. 

I posted about our sudden transfer to Canyon in the beginning of the year.  Sometimes the best plans are no plans. We ended up at Canyon by Divine Intervention and for Havana, it was the perfect place for her. She has grown in so many ways and I am confident that as she heads in High School in August, she is well prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities that await her. 

I am proud of Havana. I am excited for what awaits. I have concerns about challenges but will support her as best I can to embrace them and to transform hard times and hard experiences (internal and external). If there is one thing I know for sure about Havana Ruby, it is that she is strong.  She is also smart. I have the feeling once she lands at Bentley and finds her way, we may just see her take off and soar.

It's hard to watch my babies grow up.  But last night, as I watched Havana with her peers, I saw glimpses of her future and I was grateful for the present environment,  as well as the past (her time at MFS), which helped to further ground her for that future. 

Happy 8th Grade Graduation Havana!!