Lia Receives the Outstanding Seniors Award

Lia found out a few weeks ago that she was chosen as one of the Top 20 Outstanding Seniors at her high school.  This is a very prestigious award that our district gives every spring to twenty seniors at all three of our high schools.  Since there are over 600 seniors at each high school, only a small percentage of students are chosen.  Teachers nominate students and then a selection committee meets to chose the twenty seniors to be honored at a school board meeting in May.  These students are selected based on their academic excellence, leadership, service, and overall character.  This is quite an honor and we were all thrilled to learn that Lia was chosen!  Since she entered her high school less than three years ago barely knowing a soul, this really is a massive accomplishment for this quiet daughter of mine and a huge nod to how hard she has worked in many areas of life these past few years.

Since Lia didn't know which teacher nominated her, we had to wait to find out that her choir teacher, Mr. Wisness, chose her.  Everyone but Logan (who was at a track meet) went to Ballou Junior High School tonight to attend this special meeting.  We met in the cafeteria and listened as each principal recognized each of the seniors one at a time and read the excerpt that their nominating teacher wrote about them.  Afterwards, each school of seniors shook hands with the different members of the school board before receiving a certificate and a special medal that they will get to wear at graduation.  Overall, it was a wonderful event and I am so glad that we were able to be there to support Lia and cheer her on.

Lia standing at the front of the room while her principal addressed the school board.

Lia's slide that appeared on the screen while her principal talked about her.  He read the following passage written by her choir teacher:

"Lia has excelled in choir for three years while earning leading roles in musicals and

plays throughout her high school career. Lia balances academic excellence and

artistic passion, demonstrating dedication, leadership, and a commitment to growth

in every performance. Lia has made Rogers a better place to be"

Lia walking back to her seat after receiving her certificate and medal.

Two of Lia's friends at the two other high schools were also chosen as Outstanding Seniors.  Her beloved childhood friend, Sienna, who she has known since PreK was chosen as one of Puyallup High School's seniors.

One of her good running friends from junior high school, Heather, was chosen as one Emerald Ridge High School's seniors.

Since Lia went on to a different junior high school and high school as the rest of her elementary school, it was fun to see some students for the first time in six years.  Here are Lia and Sienna posing with two boys, Dylan and Riley, who also went to the same elementary school and were chosen as Outstanding Seniors.