My Senior Yearbook Girls
Becky, Claire, Jordan, Malory, Rachel, Aimee, and Brittani pose for a picture at the Springfield Mall last summer during Yearbook Camp.
Becky, Claire, Jordan, Malory, Rachel, Aimee, and Brittani pose for a picture at the Springfield Mall last summer during Yearbook Camp.
Three years ago, Mandy and I became co-advisers of the yearbook. It has changed and developed so much in the last three years. We’ve won numerous awards. We’ve produced truly phenomenal books. Most importantly though, we’ve formed relationships with these girls that have surpassed even my greatest aspirations as a teacher.
This group of seniors was our sophomore J-1 class when we began officially advising the yearbook. Mandy and I stood in front of the class to introduce ourselves – silly, giddy, and very naive about our new undertaking.
They’ve been around through so much that has happened in our lives and in theirs — and somehow managed to put up with us this entire time…
Tonight is senior awards. This will be the third year that I have given an award in Grandpa’s name. It took some convincing but I encouraged Grandpa to start the award. This will be the first year it will be a memorial award… the G.F. Bo.land.er Memorial Journalism Award…
I can’t even begin to tell you the number of times I’ve been awake in the middle of the night thinking about this day. This is it — this really is the beginning of the end. They are really going to graduate and move on with their lives. And while I’m excited for them I’m just so sad for myself…
These girls have been my life for the last three years. There have been days when I would not have made it out of bed in the morning if I hadn’t known that they were at school. When I FINALLY got pregnant my first concern (besides a healthy baby) was making sure that I would be at school with them to finish this year’s book.
I know that there will never be another group of girls like this. I don’t see myself forming the same bond that I have with this group even if I do continue teaching at the high school. And even more so, I’m scared that I may never have the opportunity again. In reality, this may very well be my last yearbook…
Updated to add:
The girls all took home numerous awards last night. I was thrilled for them. I sounded like a fool and didn’t say half of the stuff I should have said, but they received their awards anyway. 
My voice broke a few times but I managed not to cry — thank God for small miracles.
My voice broke a few times but I managed not to cry — thank God for small miracles. 
Hi – Re: working from home, I don’t usually talk about it on my blog, because some of my blog readers are my clients (former co-workers & friends), and right now I’m not sure how I’ll manage work & parenting. I’m a freelance editor. Pay is not great; I took a big pay cut when I quit — most publishers set their own rates and there’s little room to negotiate — but I do find my work very satisfying.