Our Last Summer Together?

By 18lzytwner

Chapter 1

It was graduation day and Stephanie was incredibly nervous. She tugged on her white gown. Something in the back of her head said, "This should be pink." A couple of weeks before graduation she had been given five tickets to give to family members so they could come to watch the ceremony. Of course her mother, father, Uncle Milford, Bessie and Sportacus were the five she chose. They were now sitting out in the audience waiting for the ceremony to start.

The principal got up in front of everyone and quieted them down. He made a little speech before handing things over to the salutatorian. The salutatorian was a boy by the name of Steve Simon. He was kind of a nerd which didn't make him that popular but Stephanie was good friends with him. She had been the first to congratulate him on such an award. Steve made a great speech to the class and everyone cheered. Then it was the valedictorian's turn.

Stephanie got up to the podium and swallowed hard. She had practiced her speech hundreds of times but she still felt unprepared. Looking out into the audience, Stephanie saw Sportacus smiling. This made her smile and she began.

"Students, faculty, friends and family, today is one of the biggest days of our lives. Orrin Hatch once said "There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning." He was right. It is the beginning of new lives for all of us.

There are those of us who strive for perfection and others who strive to survive. In the end, it will be our strengths that bring us to the top. I'm proud to announce that our graduating class has the highest averages in the county! We can do anything we set our minds to. I see that some of our classmates have been accepted to prestigious colleges such as Harvard and Cornell. Others of us may be starting small at the local community colleges. Where you go doesn't matter, as long as you continue to aim high, you can succeed at anything. There is always a way to better yourself.

A good friend once told me 'It's not who you are that defines you, but what you do.' What you do with your life is important. I trust you will make the right decisions along the way. I hope that every one of you takes something away from high school and passes it on to others. The greatest way to further knowledge is to spread it from one person to another. Share your knowledge but also learn from others. They may know more than you and it will be beneficial to learn from them. I want to leave you with one good piece of advice. Edward Koch said "The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse."

Thank you."

Everyone stood up and cheered. Stephanie could see Sportacus practically busting from pride. The principal then started the ceremony.

About an hour later graduation was over and everyone threw their caps into the air. While everyone was dispersing, Stephanie ran over to her family. Sportacus caught her in a big hug. He whispered to her, "I'm so proud of you." She blushed as he let her hug everyone else.

Her parents told everyone that they were going out to Stephanie's favorite restaurant for dinner. The group piled into the pink (that's right pink) Dodge Grand Caravan. Stephanie sat with Sportacus in the back.

"I wonder how come the van is pink." He teased. Stephanie playfully pushed him. Then she leaned up against his shoulder and whispered, "Thanks for being here."

"Are you kidding I wouldn't miss it for the world. When are you coming to LazyTown?" Sportacus asked.

"Soon, I hope. Mom and Dad said that my cousins are coming up for my little grad party next week. Then I'm off to LazyTown." Stephanie smiled kissing Sportacus on the cheek.

To Be Continued…