Susan Senator

Max graduated from eighth grade tonight. His school is a K-8, as are all eight elementaries in our town, which is a very nice thing because the kids become very loyal to the school and bonded with each other. Of course, it also guarantees they are ready to leave for high school by the time they are through, because they have spent nine years there!

Max received eight awards prior to tonight’s ceremonies, in French, Student Government, Speech Contest, Writing Contest, and other areas, totally bowling us over. Tonight he surprised us again by receiving an award as one of the top eleven academically in the class!

Max also was asked to speak, along with this young woman, and they co-wrote a speech about how the class has grown in terms of learning how to become less cliquish and more inclusive of everyone, as they experienced on their two-night camping trip to Caratunk, Maine. He spoke very well, clearly and loudly.

I was on the edge of my seat.My parents also were here, and they were totally kvelling. Such nachas. (Yiddish for “pride that comes from your children doing well.”) Ned and I could not go to sleep, not only because Ned’s colleagues kept him up talking about some bug or something, but because we felt so happy and proud to have such an accomplished mensch for a kid.