Monday, May 25, 2009

Amelia's Graduation


On Sunday, May 24, Amelia graduated from Cedar Falls High School. Hurray! It was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend: Mary Ann's parents, Nanny and Papa, came out from Indiana along with Mary Ann's brother David with his wife Karen and daughter Madison. The ceremony itself was very cool . . . pretty decent speeches plus a lot of joy and good spirits in the McLeod Center, the University of Northern Iowa's basketball and volleyball stadium. Amelia sang for the last time with the Concert Choir: "He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother." A fitting song for a class of good friends with caring feelings about one another.




The two photos above that were actually taken at the commencement are a little grainy. Quite a distance away in not very bright light, I'm afraid. I tweaked them as much as I could in good old Photoshop. Click to see any of the pics larger. In any case, you can clearly see how happy Amelia was at the ceremony. Whoopee!



After the ceremony, with sibs
Amanda, Gabe, and Melina.



With Nanny and Papa
(Jerry and Mary Blue).



With friends Chelsea and Joey.
Congratulations!

Many, many congratulations from your family and friends, Amelia — O Lovable One (as your name means). We wish you the best of luck in your college endeavors starting August. In the meantime, we hope you have a marvelous, red-letter summer! Mom and I — your sibs Marty, Amanda, Melina, and Gabe — we all love you, love you, love you. Again, brava!


20 comments:

Polly Forns said...

Oh how beautiful Amelia is! As well as your entire family. You are a blessed man indeed, Vince Gotera! Congratulations!

Vince Gotera said...

Polly ... very sweet of you to say. Thanks. I hope you had a good Memorial Day weekend.

Marianne said...

CONGRATULATIONS, Vince! Your daughter is glowing!

Vince Gotera said...

Marianne, thanks so much! Did you know that my older daughter also graduated recently? So we have two that finished within a week of each other: one from high school, the other from college (see the blog post before this one). Thanks again, Marianne.

Rebecca Allen said...

Vince - Thanks so much for sharing these pics from Amelia's special day. She's so beautiful! Loved seeing pics of Mary & Jerry too - haven't seen them in years and they look so good. Please tell Amelia congrats! Olani graduates June 14. Our kids are growing up so fast. Time is flying by so fast isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Vin-- congratulations! Has Amelia decided to go to university? If so, where? What a beautiful family you have! Wowee-zowie! Congrats again.
Love,
cousin Mary

Joan Russell said...

A Memorial Day indeed. Congratulations to Amelia and to all her family. Many thanks for sharing your celebration and the very best of good wishes for Amelia's continued success in her chosen studies.

Gloria Adam said...

Time flies, right? Congrats!!!! What a family you have. Gabe looks different without the long hair. Beautiful girls, Vince, are you nervous? lol

L D Quigley said...

Wow, congradulations Vince!

Darek Benesh said...

Family of bright stars. Congrats to Amelia!

Vince Gotera said...

Becky, thanks again for your comments. I will pass your comment and congrats on to Amelia. If time is flying by so fast (and it is), we must having fun! ;-D

Vince Gotera said...

Joan, thanks so much for your generous comment. I'll show your message to Amelia. And did you also see that my oldest daughter Amanda graduated from college? Here's my blog post on that! Thanks again, Joan.

Vince Gotera said...

Hi, Gloria. Yup, Gabe went for a really different look. It's grown out, actually. He buzzed it to something like 1/16 inch long!

No, I'm not nervous? Why should I be? ;-D

Vince Gotera said...

Larry (sorry, L D) ... thanks for your note. I'll pass on the sentiments to Amelia. It was nice seeing you at the store today, too!

Vince Gotera said...

Darek! Thanks again for your nice message. It's been a fun coupla weeks with the two of them graduating. Take care!

Vince Gotera said...

Hey, Mary ... thanks! Yes, Amelia will be going to the University of Northern Iowa where she plans to major in studio art. Her plan is to go on eventually for an MFA. Thanks again for you wonderful comment. Love, Vince

Brandon said...

Congrats on this Vince!

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