To watch the graduation ceremony, CLICK HERE

To see pictures from graduation, CLICK HERE

Sunday evening after graduation, I sorted through the photos that marked the end of a segment in the lives of all these "kids" who now call Vinton-Shellsburg, their alma mater. Now they have been inducted into the Vinton-Shellsburg alumni, a pretty great gang to be part of for sure. I think I snapped a little over 300 photos on my phone, and I haven't yet gotten to my "real camera" so who knows what the final count will be.  

Several things hit me during today's events. The first was that this will be Superintendent Kyle Koeppen's last graduation with us here at Vinton-Shellsburg. The silly guy thinks that it's time to move on or something...but I thought, "I've really enjoyed working with this guy, he was a great one..." so there was that.  

Then, as I snapped photos of the crowd, because, why not?   I captured what I assume was a grandpa cradling a grandbaby and absolutely in his happy place.  

Other photos I didn't get were of cute little girls with their stuffed animals, and squirmy little kiddos who couldn't understand why they needed to be still and be quiet and the dear parents who tried, to no avail, to wrangle some cooperation from the little tikes.  

A photo that I couldn't capture was of a granddaughter acknowledging her grandfather as she walked with her class to the front, and visa versa, it made me do an internal "awwwww..."

As I scrolled through the photos, cropping and adjusting them, one made me bust out laughing. Because I'm the gal with the camera, it's always fun to capture an unexpected moment, but this one made my night.  

 A tongue stuck out at someone in the bleachers. I didn't see the antics it at the time, because I'm basically pointing the camera and clicking to captured all of the graduates as they entered the ceremony to Pomp and Circumstance. But I mean, I have to share it here and thank this gal for the smile it brought tonight.  

That was kinda my feeling when I graduated, I was so ready to be out of school. Mostly, because I'm a night owl, always have been and those 8:30 a.m. morning classes were in the middle of my REM sleep! Now that I'm old, I wake up promptly at 7:00 a.m. and it drives me nuts...because I'm STILL a night owl!

But back to the graduates who have finished all of the requirements for their education at Vinton-Shellsburg. First, congratulations! 13 years of teaching you the 3 R's and then a whole lot of other things is now completed. Those of you who choose to sign up for another 4 or 6 or 8 years of college, choose carefully. Don't pick a degree in something that has no meaning. If you choose to continue, go for something that will help someone else. Don't go into debt for some fluff!

To those who are eyeing other skills like electricians, plumbers and mechanics, these are the people that the whole world calls when they are having a very bad, no good, rotten day. I'm not kidding when I say we need more of you! And each of these professions will make you pretty well to do.

To the ones joining our military, we all pray for your safety and Godspeed as you go out and protect the rest of us and the whole world really. You're an exceptional person.Thank you in advance for your service.

For all the kids who don't have a plan to go to college, and you walked out the door asking yourselves, "What now????" it's okay. It's alright not to have a plan. Sometimes you just need a bit of time to gather yourself, get a job and let life lead you. I did the whole college thing, then graduated and still didn't have a clue what I wanted to be when I grew up. I mean I knew what I thought was cool, but never dreamed it would ever happen and it took decades to finally happen. So be patient and easy on yourself even if you are flying by the seat of your pants. You'll figure it out...whatever "it" is!

If you're a believer and know God on a personal level, there is a verse I'll leave with you now. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,â€� declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." You might not have a clue what your future holds, but you know the One that holds your future. Relax. He's got you!  

Class of 2026, with heartfelt congratulations, enjoy the beginning of your life! As mom and dad would say, "Be careful, and call home." Your roots are here, your anchor is here. Go ahead and use what you've learned and impress the socks off of us! We can't wait to see where life leads you! Hey, when life sucks - and it will at times - remember the gal in the picture...and go ahead, stick out your tongue...dust off your pants, maybe kick life in the shins and show us the toughness deep inside! You've got this, even if you don't know what you've got!

May God bless and keep you all as you embark on your journey, may the best always enter your world, and may you find all of the right people to walk beside you.

Congratulations, Class of 2026!