Way to go Ben!

This past Thursday I headed out to Granstville after work, because my younger brother Ben was graduating from high school. He's the last of us left at home, and he'll be coming to the U this fall, which breaks the three-way tie between Utah, USU, and BYU in terms of how many of the kids in our family went there.

The commencement was held in the high school gym because there was something like a 20% chance of rain. It was a gorgeous day outside. But whatever. It didn't get nearly as hot in the gym as I had feared it would. The seats were pretty hard, but that probably would have been the case outside, too.

At least one graduate arrived in a limousine, prompting our neighbor to say, "If high school graduate is the pinnacle achievement of your life then...well, I'm just not going to say anything more about that."

As far as graduation ceremonies go, it was fairly ho-hum. Some people gave speeches. Some were longer than others. Some invited their husbands to join them (??) and may or may not have gotten prematurely applauded off the stage. I mean I think she was wrapping things up, but it wasn't 100% clear. The "headliner" was my older brother's prom date who now works as a television news reporter. Eventually, Ben got to go up and get his diploma.


Ben coming in. He wasn't all alone. It just looks that way.


The fact that they didn't set up enough chairs for all the graduates made me a little nervous about the quality of education they're providing.


Finally all seated.


Just in case you want to sing along with me next time.


Getting a little bored by the time the 3rd musical number rolled around.


I want to hope that if we just could have heard better, I would have understood why her husband was up there, too, but somehow I'm not confident that would have helped.


Mr. Green trying to keep the graduates from rioting during the 2nd hour of speeches.


Waiting his turn


The big moment


He did it!


Changing the Tassels


Go Utes!


They did it!