Soccer Finale

Our son had an amazing season in soccer this year.  As a senior, he got a banner that hung from the field fence all spring.

He was the varsity goal keeper, a tough position that weighs heavily in determining the team's success.  Below is a picture of all the seniors from both the boys and girls teams.


Here, the team is lined up for our national anthem....

Then huddled in prayer to ask for a fair game with no injuries...

He was athlete of the week for March....


then after a few key plays were made....

he was Athlete of the Week again in April.

 We had the privilege of escorting him onto the field during his last home game.

At the end of season banquet, his coach had some incredible words for the team, the seniors, and especially Luke.

Here is that speech:    https://youtu.be/MGxVT6CxLnc 

Then, the seniors were presented with their jerseys in a frame to keep wherever they go.

For the spring awards ceremony, Luke was called on stage to receive his Varsity pin (he was the only player to be on varsity all 4 years).  

And while he was on stage, his coach gave him the Team MVP award as well as being named the top goal keeper in the region as voted on by other high school coaches.

We're so proud of him!!

Black Plague

Our little one studied the Black Plague during her Launch class this year (gifted & talented program).  Their research project included understanding the root cause of the disease, how it spread, what the culture was like during the middle ages, and learn the medicines available at the time.

They divided up into groups to present their semester-long projects.  Notice who wanted to dress the part... :)

After the projects were complete, the class took a field trip to Atlanta.  First stop, Medieval Times, a dinner show filled with jousting, knights, and chivalry.

Then the real highlight was spending the afternoon at the Center for Disease Control.  Fascinating, and super proud of what the US does to prevent or stop epidemics around the world.

Senior Signing

A new tradition that started last year at Powdersville is senior signing day.  On this day, each senior will be called to the stage to "sign" with the school, military branch, or vocation they will pursue after graduation.  

Afterwards, all the students from the elementary, middle, and high schools as well as parents line up from the school doors to the athletic field.  Seniors take their final walk as a class through the parade of cheers.  

Once they reach the football field, the band plays their school song and fight song while the seniors enjoy the celebration.  They spend the rest of their afternoon with a picnic lunch and play frisbee, soccer, football, and other games until 3pm.

 Here's a picture of all the students heading to USC-Columbia!

Scholarship

We were super proud of our senior for receiving a $3,000 scholarship to the school of his choice from SC Telco!  This is the bank where we've kept his college fund for ten years, so that account qualified him to apply.

The company invited us to their annual shareholder's meeting to present him the scholarship award.  There were three recipients, one from the lower part of the state, one from Greenville, and Luke.  They had a nice presentation and write-up of each recipient.

Here's a close-up of his...

The award was given by the chairman of the board.  

Little's Soccer

It's a wrap for our Little One's soccer season!  This girl played her heart out, and it was so much fun to watch.

She played offense, defense, forward, mid-field, just whichever position the coach needed her to play the most.  She could run down a player with her quick speed, too!

During one game against the U15 team, she said she had the most fun because they would try to push her around while she gave it right back.  I guess we're ready to leave U13 behind and take on the older level.

This summer, she'll be heading to camp where they will hopefully cover how to settle a high ball.  That's one of her toughest challenges.

Her team played really well.  They won about 75% of their games, and fell just short of taking the tournament.  We'll miss these girls as they split up and start trying out for their schools' JV teams.

Prom

Lots of great pictures from prom, so bear with me.  First, the exchange of flowers...

Then, the first picture...

They agreed on hot pink to accent their wardrobe, how fun!  Crazy socks included.

Now for some outside pictures... These two are so photogenic!

And a few by the car...all washed and ready for the big date.

Showing off the shoes & socks again.

Then helping her in...

Met up with their friends at a gorgeous bed & breakfast.

Then found a chicken in the garden, Luke's Univ. of SC mascot.  Go Gamecocks!

 And finally off to dinner and prom.

Caught up with them one more time as they headed into the dance.  (In case you're wondering, LOTS of other parents did this, too.) 

Being silly outside the entrance as they waited on their friends.  She enjoyed being taller than Luke as she stood on a curb.