The Graduate...

Saturday, May 27th, was a 'Milestone Day' in our family. Our youngest grandson, Samuel Hayden Lawrence Marx, graduated from Oldham County High School. 

As I thought about this day, I reflected back to June 2016 when Hayden graduated from 5th grade. I remember us thinking about how fast those years went.

Now we were seven years further in the future and again Hayden was graduating. 

Here are a few 2016 pictures with their 2023 version. First, the Marx family, Andie, Bailey, Hayden and Michael. Then Claude and me with Hayden. Okay, as I showed the 2016 pictures to Andie and Michael, Michael quickly noted that Andie and Claude were wearing the same clothes they wore in 2016 for the 2023 graduation. Later, Michael found he was wearing what he wore to Hayden's graduation from Middle School! We are all NOT slaves to the latest fashion. But, we all clean up real well!!

This is the program for the graduation. It was held at Freedom Hall in Louisville. All Oldham County High Schools would have their graduation ceremonies there this day. Claude was wise enough to put a dash in front of the honors Hayden received as well as his name in the program. Yea, Claude!!

The Marx car arrived and parked on the back side of Freedom Hall. They had Michael, Andie, Hayden and Joyce in the car with them. They had to have Hayden there by 9am. Bailey rode to Freedom Hall in the bus with the rest of the Oldham County High School band. Claude and I drove there and parked in the front lot. Andie sent me pictures of where they parked so we might park close. We did not get that part done. Then she sent me a picture of where they would be sitting. That we found and sat with them. This is Hayden getting his cap and gown and honors on before entering Freedom Hall.

Hayden went to be with his class as they all lined up in the proper order. These are pictures of inside Freedom Hall before the program began. They are the OCHS Band, the American Flag, and the view from the podium to where the graduates would sit.

The first to enter were the dignitaries, faculty administrators and some parents to the stand. The neat thing was Andie being a teacher in Oldham County. If you were in the Oldham County education system, you could opt to hand your child their diploma. Andie hopped right on that bandwagon and was able to sit on the stand until after giving Hayden his diploma. Then she returned to sit with Claude, Michael, Joyce and me. Andie is wearing a green top in the picture.

Once these people were in place, the OCHS band started to play Pomp and Circumstance as the teachers entered Freedom Hall. The teachers would line each side of the center aisle to welcome the soon-to-be graduates as they entered Freedom Hall. 

The band would continue to play Pomp and Circumstance until all the graduates entered and were seated. Bailey tells us they played this piece of music completely through 12 times. This is Hayden entering Freedom Hall and taking his seat. He would sit third from the end on his row. I drew a yellow line under Hayden in the last picture. I would do this in other pictures as well. 

Sidney Wright would give the Welcoming Remarks.

Then the honors were called out by groups and the students would stand as their group was called. While I have seven pictures of each time Hayden stood for recognition, I will only post one of these here to represent all of those times. Hayden stood for being Cum Laude, an AP Scholar, University of Louisville Early College Program, Beta Club, KMEA All District Band and receiving Dual Credit for attending University of Louisville. 

Now it was time time to receive their diploma. This picture is Hayden's row moving from their seats to the line to the podium.

Now it was time to cross the stage, shake all those hands and have your mom give you your diploma. Andie was ready with her camera to get a good picture of her boy crossing that stage. She was so involved with being sure she got that one-of-a-kind picture, that she forgot to get Hayden's diploma to him. They managed to make sure he got it before he descended the opposite side of the stage. In the first picture, Hayden is in the center of the stage. In the second and third pictures, you can see Andie in the green top getting ready and taking that important picture. The fourth picture is Hayden crossing the stage through his mother's camera lens. The last to pictures are 'the hug'.  Love that Hayden's mother gave him his first hug after getting his diploma. What a neat experience. 

 

Once off the stage, there were a series of pictures taken. Andie managed to get a great selfie of her and Hayden. Then the professional photographer took a picture of our grad.

Then Hayden returned to his seat and Andie came to sit with us.

Once all diplomas were given and their honors recognized as their names were read, they had all the graduates stand so we could applaud them for accomplishing this worthy goal. Look for the little yellow line for Hayden. The OCHS Choir would sing a number. Then the Farewell Address was given by Amelia Steedley. The Class of 2023 photo to be hung in the school was unveiled. 

Everyone stood and faced the Flag and the OCHS Band played the National Anthem, then they played the Alma Mater and the school Fight Song. 

Time to finish this program. Graduates faced the stage. Official statements were made about graduating. Then their tassels were moved from the right to the left and they were officially dismissed for the last time. At that signal, caps flew into the air.

Now the audience was free to go into the arena area and the graduates were free to enter the stands. We were close to the floor with an opening right into the stands. Hayden made a beeline for where we were sitting. Claude and I were so happy he came right to us and gave each of us a hug. He loves to give me a hug that 'breaks my ribs'. Some day, he really may do just that!

Michael treated us all to lunch at Mussels & Burgers. I enjoyed a Southern Belle burger. It was a burger with pimento cheese on it instead of a slice of cheese. It was served with sweet potato fries and a pineapple dip instead of catsup. Yummy!

We got a few pictures before parting ways.

When the Marx family got home, pictures were taken of Hayden in his cap and gown with his Senior sign in their yard.

I want to remember that Bailey was playing with the OCHS band as people arrived and throughout the program. Here are a few pictures of Bailey on Hayden's graduation day. Again, look for the little yellow line to find Bailey.

This was an excellent day. Weather was great. The program was well planned and executed. Hayden was very happy. Lunch with family was delicious. It was a great day. Proud of our Hayden. 

Two last pictures. In 2016, Hayden started his journey as a Colonel. This was the mascot name for Oldham County Middle School and Oldham County High School. Andie and Michael gave him a t-shirt to be ready for this next phase of his life. Now Hayden is headed to DePaul University in Chicago. He received the Presidential Scholarship to assist with this next phase of his education. Again, he received his t-shirt. In addition, Claude and I received our t-shirts, which we will proudly wear to support our youngest grandson in this next major phase of his life journey. 

Congratulations Hayden Marx! You have done great so far. Keep up this good work.