The "Grandchild #2 Graduates With Honors" Story

Camille receiving her diploma from the H.S. Principal

It was an ordinary day.  Thursday, May 26 and our daughter-in-law Barbara was in the driver's seat.  She had agreed to drive Carol and I to the Mount St. Mary's University's  Knott Area  PNC Sports Complex at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland to see our Granddaughter Camille Mencarini graduate from Urbana High School.  Urbana High School opened in 1995 and graduated their first class in 1999.  The school was enlarged in 2006 to accommodate a growing population.  When today's seniors were sophomores, the school was designated a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School in recognition of their exemplary student achievement.  This year's graduating class is the 24th for the high school which has traveled a unique path, since during the spring of 2020, they finished their sophomore year via virtual instruction due to COVID.  

Camille receiving another congratulation!

During their junior year they attended classes virtually and in-person.  This past fall they once again began school in person at the high school.  And, today they will again be graduating in person.  Despite the challenges they experienced, they have excelled in academics, the arts and athletics and continue to emulate the Core Values of respect, unity, integrity and pride.  Camille is our "middle" grandchild and second grandchild to graduate from high school with our oldest, Courtney having graduated from Urbana H.S. two years ago.  The major difference between the two graduations is the fact that Camille got to march down the aisle and up on stage to receive her diploma while Courtney's graduation was online due to the COVID virus.

Mom Brynn, Graduate Camille, sister Courtney and Dad Dave.

Carol and I asked Barb if she wanted to go with us to Maryland to see the graduation as well as drive and she was nice enough to agree to go with us to the graduation ceremony.  Took about 90 minutes from our home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to the campus of Mount St. Mary's.  We arrived at the college about 45 minutes early and had an easy time finding a parking space.  The three of us met our daughter Brynn and son-in-law Dave as well as grand-daughter Courtney outside the Sports Arena and found our way into the building where we headed to the balcony where most of the seating was for visitors.  By 2:00 PM the place was packed as the Prelude began and then the Processional began to Pomp & Circumstance.  

A girl's affair...Grandmother Linda Mencarini, mom Brynn, Camille,
sister Courtney, Aunt Barbara Woods, Grandmother Carol Woods

A "Welcome" and "The National Anthem" followed with an Introduction, Greeting, Superintendent's Comments, Senior Speaker, Musical Selections, Senior Speakers and finally the Presentation of Graduates.  The class of 2022 had 470 members.  The entire program took 1:15 minutes!  Now...they know how to run a graduation!  Everyone was well-behaved and the people in the stands were likewise well-behaved.  This is the type of graduation that is fun to attend.  About 15 minutes later I had the chance to give my grand-daughter a hug and kiss and congratulations for four years of hard work.  Camille was one of 24 class members who received four graduation awards; an award for Highest Honors, an award for National Honor Society; an award for CTC Completer and an award for Maryland Scholar.  She had a fantastic high school career and Carol and I are very proud of all she accomplished in the past four years.  She now will continue her quest to become a nurse.  She already has a head-start with a program she has been working on for the last half of her senior year.  Carol and I couldn't be anymore proud of her than we already are and wish her the best as she progresses through her nursing program.  We headed to a nearby restaurant for an after-graduation meal and then Carol and I hopped in the car with Barb in the driver's seat for our trip back to Lancaster.  We all had a great time!  Next in line will be the graduation of grandchild #3, Caden Woods who will graduate next year from nearby Hempfield High School.  A much easier drive!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.