<p>My apology for the delay in posting an update. Thanks @towerchute for the gentle nudge. Let’s see, where did I leave off?</p>
<p>Oh yes – the 2014 class graduation. DW and I made the second half of our semi-annual drive back to EHS to attend the commencement activities and pick up DS. In short the weather was spectacular and the activities were fantastic. Even though DS was not graduating, we wanted to attend and support DS’s upper class friends and families. Also, we wanted to just observe the school’s traditions and perhaps imagine, for a moment, this day in 2017.</p>
<p>We arrived early on Friday, prior to the start of the weekend activities and packed up the majority DS’s belongings. The week prior to graduation, students move larger non-perishable items into storage bins. Suffice it to say, DS forgot to store some large items, including a futon recently purchased from a graduating senior. Despite the unexpected larger items, we successfully packed our truck and thus avoided the move out crush on Saturday.</p>
<p>EHS held Baccalaureate in the school chapel for junior/senior families on Friday afternoon and Valedictory on Friday evening for all in the athletic center. Since EHS does not rank students, a student, chosen by the class gave the Valedictory speech. After his speech the faculty handed out various awards. We did not see much of DS and when we did, he reassured us that he was not ignoring us but he wanted to soak up every last minute with his classmates. We understood; tonight was his last night with his EHS family. Since we knew a freshman tradition was to stay up all night, we suggested he try and get an hour or two of sleep. Aw heck, stay up all night! </p>
<p>As we drove up “The Hill” on graduation morning we could sense the excitement. White chairs in perfect rows adorned the front lawn in front of glorious Hoxton Hall. We rushed over to watch the “Rose Ceremony”, another EHS tradition. The ceremony was very simple. In front of Callaway Chapel, a junior class line of girls stood opposite a line of graduating seniors, all dressed in predominately white. The girls walk towards one another. When they meet in the center, in symbol of the rite of passage, the junior class girl selects a rose and gives it to her senior, who carries it throughout the Commencement Ceremony. Other than hugs, laughter, and the sound of cameras, it is a very quiet ceremony. As soon as the ceremony ended, we rushed back to Hoxton Circle to grab seats. Still no sign of DS. </p>
<p>The ceremony began with the faculty and seniors entering from the back and proceeding to their seats. This was the 169th Commencement Exercise. As we were standing during the processional, we caught a glimpse of DS who was seated with his dorm mates. You could tell he was focused on spending these last few moments with his peers. </p>
<p>Headmaster’s Hershey’s speech was the right blend between reflection and looking forward. He shared all of the collective accomplishments of the Class of 2014. DW and I were in awe of the long list of academic, artistic, athletic, and service accomplishments. This was not my high school. There was not a clunker in any of the 117 graduates. You can read parts of his speech and noted class accomplishments here - <a href=“http://www.episcopalhighschool.org/news/item/index.aspx?LinkId=5754&ModuleId=11”>http://www.episcopalhighschool.org/news/item/index.aspx?LinkId=5754&ModuleId=11</a></p>
<p>After his speech and awards, diplomas were distributed. However the unique nature of the Episcopal High School diploma is it is signed by all of the 87 faculty members. As Headmaster Hershey explained, “It is not just a piece of paper representing the completion of the academic experience of high school – it is a personal document, continuing the time-honored tradition of bearing the individual signatures of all 87 faculty members who have worked closely with this class, confirming each faculty member’s acknowledgement that each individual recipient of this Class of 2014 has fulfilled the covenant of meeting the School’s expectation in all realms.”</p>
<p>We finally caught up with DS after the ceremony, and met back at his dorm. Many of the boys were exchanging embraces and goodbyes. It was an emotional moment for all. Time to leave. As we were pulling away from his dorm, he was anxious to make sure he said goodbye to those he had missed earlier, yelling out of the car window, “have a good summer…take care!” Otherwise he was quiet and melancholy. Then he says, “why does the year have to end? This place is perfect.” Hard to disagree. </p>
<p>DS was back home for two weeks when he departed on an EHS service/learning trip to Kenya. He was gone for 2 ½ weeks. He loved his time in Kenya, especially the people and the landscape. Besides cultural immersion and debate with fellow Kenyan students, the group built a water collection system and tank that provides clean drinking water to a local school. After the service portion of their trip, they drove 10 hours on back roads to embark on a three day safari. Then back to Nairobi to fly back to the states. Upon his return he flew home to Boston via London solo. </p>
<p>Two weeks later he departed again. This time he flew to UVA to meet up with the EHS wrestling team for a five day wrestling camp. No rest for the weary. When he returned he was greeted with a chore list that allowed him to earn a few dollars and keep him busy until his mid-August return to EHS for pre-season football. In the interim, he had to read two books, one for English and one for history. Actually, to my displeasure, I think he finished on of the books during pre-season. 
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<p>Whenever we drop off or pick up, we make it a point to stop at 2-3 universities or colleges and simply walk around. The goal is to get a feel for a large vs small school and/or rural vs urban setting. This year, on the trip down, one of our stops was at West Point. An EHS graduate from 2014 gave us a guided tour and all we can say is “wow!” DS subscribes to the motto “Duty, Honor, Country” and has expressed an interest in serving after graduation. His tour of West Point only reinforced this goal. After WP, we stopped at Johns Hopkins. Very pretty school, but the surrounding area is not what we expected. We returned to EHS for pre-season and moved DS into his new room. This year’s arrival was much easier. We were all seasoned veterans, knowing what to expect. And since he wanted to be there, goodbyes weren’t as difficult. </p>
<p>Last year DS made the EHS High List for the entire year (90%+ average). Same academic goal this year, but it will be even more challenging. This year he has six classes, four of which are honors or more accelerated. He will play a sport (football, wrestling, baseball) each season. He is in choir (a seventh class period). He has elected to act as a dorm manager, facilitating maintenance requests and earning a few dollars, and will try to be more involved with community service. </p>
<p>We visited him last weekend, watched a football game, and took a group of boys to dinner. We just sat back and listened to their mercurial conversation. We are always impressed by EHS boys. Polite southern manners, mature, funny, and driven. His days are long, rising at 5:30 am to run/work out with other wrestlers, attending classes, afternoon football practice, dinner, and returning to his room prior to the beginning of study hall to get an early jump on homework. And yet he is not alone. Most of his peers are equally busy, just doing different activities. More importantly, he is happy and is enjoying this year’s challenge. </p>