Youth Leadership Graduation

Each year, Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Youth Leadership for sophomore students different schools in Weirton and nearby counties.  I'm glad our son have participated into it.  

The organizations mission in hosting this event is to raise up and inspire youth to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to empower them to become strong leaders who will make our community a better place for everyone to live and work.

Selected student leaders were picked based from their GPAs and the essays they have written and submitted to the committee.  

They attended a series of activities from around the city which includes a simulation of a real world as adults. They were put into situations where they have to make a decision and I think it's a great way for these kids to kind have a glimpse into how adulthood is.

The graduation was held in March 12 at Holiday Inn.

Each participants received a certificate of achievement and also given a college credit by WV Northern Community College.

Madonna High School had 7 student leaders who participated.

These boys are goof balls, glad they had a chance to attend this leadership training.

At first, our son did not want us to attend the graduation but upon learning that all parents of the students from his school, I insisted that we do attend.  I did not want him to be the only one who didn't have parents there.  I'm glad we attended.

Our daughter was not able to attend this leadership trainings because of pandemic but she was able to attend the business symposium.  

Some of the students weren't present at the graduation but all of the MHS student leaders were there.

We were a little bit late arriving because we attended a mass (which I felt bad leaving without finishing it).  I just wish that the committee did not schedule it at noon because some  of us attended an 11-12 mass.

Our son is always anxious in attending events like this which really surprise me because he is well-liked by his peers.  I think he got that trait from me, I feel that anxiety every single time I have to deal with people.  What surprises me the most though is our daughter, she's shy in nature but  when it comes to doing stuff like this, she shines, she doesn't back down and just do it like a champ.  

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F. R. I. E. N. D. S.

 I am grateful that my children have great friends like the Mascio girls.  They have known each other since kindergarten and although they went to a different school in high school, I am glad they still keep in touch.

EJ's first homecoming date was his friend Rissy.

Both of our kids are really close in age with the Mascio girls so they are close to each other.  So when EJ was getting shy of asking Rissy, the older sisters  orchestrated the event for him.

I wanted him to go to HOCO on his sophomore year but he chose not to.  It was fine though because we focused more on our daughter on her last homecoming.

EJ Turned Sixteen

I can't believe my youngest is now 16!  Where did the time go?  Wow, I can't believe how time gone by so fast.  I still remember when they were little and can't get enough of us, now they are kind of have their own set of friends and different interests than ours so they do their own thing without us sometimes.  With EJ though, he is a homebody, he prefers to hang out at home which I'm glad.  

Our son is a happy-go-lucky guy and doesn't try hard in school but he is equally smart as our daughter.  The only difference is that, she's more focused on her studies but he isn't.  He remind me so much of my brothers who weren't into studying.  Sometimes I worry but I have to remind myself that he is boy and he is young.  He might change his attitude once he becomes an adult.

For his birthday, we took him to his favorite restaurant and had dinner with him.  His sister had to work so she couldn't go with us, however, we all had dinner together from a different restaurant the day before.

I don't like comparing my two kids but sometimes I can't help but to do it to encourage our son to be more focused in doing things.  Just like when our daughter turned 15, she immediately wanted a driving permit which she got right away. When she turned 16, she got her license.   It took us a lot of convincing for our son to get his permit and I'm happy that he has it now coz he can start practice driving.

I just wish that he would not care too much of what others think of him especially his appearance.  It makes me sad to know that despite him being outgoing more that his sister, he feels anxious about social interactions from time to time.  Then again I can totally relate because I am the same way.

Hubby is definitely enjoying bonding with him in the gym.  They work out together which is very special.  Sometimes I feel lost of what they talk about but I'm very happy to see of how they have a special relationship as a dad and son.

Looking at this pic makes me miss when they were little but at the same time, I am glad that we get to witness every milestone in their lives.  

It makes me happy to see both kids are growing up the way we want  them to.  We might not be able to provide them the best of things but we make sure that they are well loved by us and that they know how much we love them.

I love the fact that they are so close in age and they are very close with each other.  At their age (17 and 16), they still go to our bedroom almost every night to talk before we go to sleep.  I think it's very important for every parent to have an open communication with their children.  

To my ever dearest EJ,

I am always grateful that you are such a very loving son and that God gave us a precious gift.  We may not always give you the best of everything but know that we will always be there for you no matter what.  Do not be afraid to explore and learn things.  Soon, you will become an adult and I hope that we guided  you enough to be a responsible one.  We wish you all the best Anak.

Love,

Mom

Homecoming Parade

Everything that my daughter experiences in high school are all new to me.  We don't have Homecoming Dance in the Philippines so I never knew what goes on with this kind of events.  Anyhow, all the girls in my daughter's class was included in the parade since there's not many of them.  I think it was awesome that they did it that way because all of them get to experience it.  

We have a convertible Saturn Sky vehicle so it was perfect for the event.  My son even ride with them during the parade.  I was on the sideline of course, to take pictures lol.

Nearby local schools had theirs few weeks before MHS which was nice because it was still warm.  I think Madonna should schedule it a little earlier too that way it's not cold.

My husband was happy to do his duty as a Dad accompanying his precious daughter.  I thought that was very nice for him to be able to do it for our daughter, it's a special moment.

We ordered the banners that we put on the car.

Looking at my daughter makes me a little sad because this is her last year of high school, which means she will be gone to college in few months.  I'm excited for her also because she has a lot going for her.  Her hard work and dedication for her studies has been paying off.  She has achieved a lot of things and we are so proud and happy for her.

My daughter's friends and teacher.

With Bella and Lizzy.

EJ and his friends, Jake, Kenny, Cole, David, and Kayla.

With Lily, Lizzy, Jules, and Liv Bain.

These three girls have been friends since kindergarten. I'm so happy to watch the three of them grow and get very close with each other.

EJ have participated in the events. 

The homecoming took place in October of  2022 but I am just now getting the chance to write about it here on the blog.  I know, my procrastination always gets in the way of writing the things right away but it's okay, as long as I have the photographs for the event's I'll be able to catch up.

Academy Training Day at WVU with Sen. Joe Manchin

On August 27th, we went with our daughter to West Virginia University so she could attend the Academy Training Day sponsored by Senator Joe Manchin.  We thought she won't like it but she actually had fun and made friends with some of the participants.

They were given a passport that each booth has to stamp so they went around and talk to people.  Some booth gave each participants some freebies like shirt and nerf ball but other's just packet of information.  They were also given an official shirt that they have to wear for the entire duration of the event.

I was just on the sideline observing how my daughter was interacting with people.  She talked to her Dad every time she finishes talking to people.

It's interesting to know that the army and air force national guard will pay you to attend college if you signed up for their program.  I think it's a good option if you doesn't qualify for the academy or you don't have a plan after high school.  If I was given this kind of opportunity when I was young, I would have definitely took it.

It's a little funny that every branch would tell you that they are the best option but I guess if you were there to recruit, you have to try really try hard to sell your pitch to a potential candidate.

We get to see a Blackhawk helicopter land on the field.  

My daughter attended the event with one of her classmate and friend from school.

She wasn't happy I was taking pictures lol.  

Aside from meeting people from the local government and different branches of the military, they also did some physical training on the field.

It was such a great idea to attend the event because our daughter got a little taste of how it's like to be in the service.  Although it was nothing compared to what it's really like in the military but it was a good exerience for her.  It ignited her passion to join even more.

Hubby and I get to tour some parts of the West Virginia University Campus.  It's unique how this school is set up, they are spread out all over Morgantown.  Every Department has it's own campus, I've never seen anything like it.

Sen. Manchin couldn't attend but he had his staff there answering questions about nominations.  I wish our son could have went with us.  but it was a whole day event and he would have been bored to tears.  It's good though that he stayed because  he took care of our dogs.