Tanner did it! We always knew he would, we just didn't know it would quite go like this. Tanner graduated from Union High School in the class of 2012. For any senior their senior year is a little stressful. It is hard to focus and there is a lot to be done. For Tanner this was amplified a hundredfold. Not only was he graduating, he was also heading off to college the same week. This meant he had to be packed, registered for classes, course books purchased and everything ready to go before he even finished his high school career. In addition to all of this the last few weeks were filled with the pressures from his recent success in track. As a Mom I was ready to loose it. My emotions were all over the place. I don't know how Tanner kept things all together, but he did. When I asked him about it he said, "It is weird to feel all of these different emotions at the same time, sometimes it feels like I'll explode."
Grandma Sork came into town for graduation and was able to attend Baccalaureate with us and hear the award winning choir sing. It was her first opportunity to see Tanner and Austin perform. She was very impressed. It was fun to see all of the Seniors in the choir standing up there. They are a very tight group and it wasemotional. It will be hard for them to all go their separate ways.
(Don't let the robes fool you, Tanner is truly a runner and doesn't go many places without his running shoes including graduation.)
Following Baccalaureate we had an open house where family and friends could come congratulate Tanner on his many high school accomplishments and wish him well as he left for new adventures. The house was packed all evening and everyone was very generous in helping Tanner feel he had what he needed to head off to college:
I had saved all of his high school track and cross country Tshirts and made them into a memory quilt (with the help of Sister Pitman and Sister LaFever, Sis. McKague and Grandma Tippetts) for his bed at BYU.
When Tanner packed up his room, I secretly took the quotes and pictures he had collected over the years and put them together in one big poster for his dorm wall. His track coach, Mr. Burdick, "lost" a Union track jersey in Tanner's locker that he wanted him to take to school with him.
Grandmas and Grandpas went in on a new smart phone for Tanner so he could keep himself organized, but most of all so he could keep in touch. Not sure if either one will happen, but he was sure excited about the gift for other reasons.
Many people were very generous with gift cards, dorm-room appropriate food, and money as they all said their good-byes.
Graduation night Tanner was awarded his diploma. He could barely walk across the stage with all the medals he received through his high school years (and he didn't even wear all of them, only his most recent) for his choir, running and academic achievements.
Tanner, we are so proud of you. It is hard to leave behind all these wonderful things, but you have a lot to look forward to. Your life is just beginning. Mom and Dad have tried our best for 18 years to prepare you for this moment and help you see your potential. Good luck at BYU! We can't wait to see where life takes you.
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