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Thank you all for the kind wishes!

In my haste last night, I probably should have said what Sertoma was all about.

They are an international club that focuses on SERvice TO MAnkind. Sertoma's primary service project is assisting the more than 50 million people with hearing health issues. Sertoma also sponsors community projects to promote freedom and democracy, to assist youth and to benefit a variety of other local community needs, as identified by the individual clubs.

Chris was the Secretary for the Serteens, which is the teen version of the club. They perform tons of community service work for charities, individuals, community assets - you name it. He is VERY organized and actually was dealing with 2 clubs of over 160 high school kids at one time while the new H.S. was electing a new Secretary.

This young man is also an Eagle Scout, a 2-time All-State Choral member, a wrestler, a track runner, and a 3.83 GPA holder with 3 Advanced Placement classes under his belt. I should also mention that he is used to adversity. During his Sr. Year, he ended up on the JV Wrestling team. His opponent at 119lbs was a good friend of his, and they were just too close, with Chris being slightly out muscled. Most kids might have quit right there, but not Chris. His comment to me when I asked him how he felt about being the only Sr. on the team was "It's up to me to help coach the younger guys." He kicked tail the entire year, and at the very last meet of the year, I watched him consoling a team mate that had just lost a tough match. He worked with him, talked with him, showed him some tips for the next time. As I'm watching this with my wife from across the mat, the coach walks up and tells us that the team never would have done so well without Chris as the team Captain. Team Captain? He never even told us about that. I am amazed that this kid is this humble.

His original wish was to get an appointment to the Air Force Academy, but even with 3 Nomination interviews, it wasn't to be. All service academies had 30-50% more applications this year. HOWEVER, he was nominated by his ALO (the Lt. Col. above) for his ROTC scholarship, and was able to go to CU Boulder to interview with the Col. of the Detachment. He was the selection out of hundreds of kids for that one spot. He is actually completely jazzed about going ROTC, as he now gets to go to The Colorado School of Mines, an outstanding engineering and sciences school. He gets commissioned the day he graduates, and is payed just like a Cadet at the AFA monthly. So, he still gets his dream of serving, and gets to go to a top-notch school to boot. His ALO stated that he didn't care how Chris comes to wear the uniform, just that he does.

With all of the bad news that goes on daily, I am proud as punch to see that there are great kids out there. Oh, and in case you are wondering...Lewis Palmer H.S. had 105 receive scholarships last night out of a graduating class of 427. 2 West Point berths, 4 AFA berths, 1 AFROTC, 2 Army ROTC, 1 Navy ROTC, and several kids going to Colorado School of Mines, Emery Riddle, MIT, Purdue, Stanford, etc. It was quite a night and quite a display of great kids!

Thank you all for the well-wishes. The deed is DONE! He walked the plank last night. The ceremony was held at McLune Arena at the Air Force Academy Field House. Nice to have that in your backyard

I don't have any real good pics inside of the ceremony as the camera didn't like the light and distance, but my sister got some good ones. These were taken outside just after they let out.

Us with the new graduate. He graduated with distinction and the gold ropes are for National Honor Society. Yep, that is the AFA chapel in the background.



There are only 4 years between my sister and I, but this is my oldest holding her oldest, my newphew, Ethan:



Lastly, here are Chris and his friends- Russell & Justin - all contemplating their next stage in life...



The ceremony was very nice, the kids (can I still call them that?) were all very excited, and the place was packed. The Senior Choir performed, so Chris got one more performance notched into his belt.

Next up: My daughter's cross-over into H.S. this Friday and the boy's graduation party on Saturday. THEN, a vacation!