the graduate

senior presentation

Our district has several requirements for graduation such as: number of credits in certain subjects and overall, meeting a score of "proficient" on several standardized tests, and a senior presentation.

Tonight was Hollyanne's senior presentation. She invited our close family members, Tiernan's family, Justin, Helen and Marija. This very personal presentation gives those in attendance, including the teacher evaluating her, an overview of her life in High School as a whole; academics, extra-curricular, work-life, personal life, mistakes and accomplishments.

I am so proud of her. That's really all I can say without tears. Here are a few pictures...

teacher appreciation week

This week is teacher appreciation week. One of my students brought me a gorgeous plant as a gift! It is a black-eyed susan vine. It's a bit different than a normal black-eyed susan plant. It's orange with black centers. The centers of this plant are quite unique. They are sunken in. Here are a couple of pictures....



I think I will plant them in a big pot and put them on my deck. They can climb up my deck. I think that will be glorious. :-)

I also received this drawing.....


I'm not sure if you can read what it says....

"Dear Ms. Howe
Thank you for teaching are class. I like you too. You have pretty hair.
Love Elissa"

Apparently I need to teach "our" and "are". ;-)

chalk the walk

Mt. Vernon, Iowa is a quaint little town in Eastern Iowa. It's actually beautiful...hills, old houses that look like they are smiling, and little shops just waiting to be entered and enjoyed. It is home to Rep. Ro Foege (Iowa House) and Rep. Dave Loebsack (US House). It is also home to my friend Wendy.

Mt. Vernon has a special place in my heart because both my brother Mark, and before him my sister, Holly, attended a small Methodist college located there, Cornell College. I have memories of riding in the car to pick them up or drop them off on the weekends. I also remember going in the dorm once, I believe it was to pick up my brother. The place had these giant stairs...and there were clothes and sleeping (probably drunk or hungover) people all over the stairs.

This past weekend was the second annual Chalk the Walk, in Mt. Vernon. My artist friends Wendy and Kirsten chalked there again this year. They did a parody on Van Gogh's Bedroom....here's his....

Here's a few of them creating their parody called Van Gogh's Girlfriend's Bedroom...


Here are a few more pics of the festivities....


For even more pics, I would suggest visiting Wendy and Kirsten's blogs. (linked above) :-)

I was lucky enough to attend this event with a wonderful man that I met recently. Hi S! ;-)

prom

Senior Prom.....April 28, 2007

Grandma took her for the nails on Friday....

John and Lisa took her for the updo....




I helped with make up and false eye lashes...


The dress...

The flowers...



The phone...


The couple...