As of tomorrow my little, not-so-little anymore, girl and her friends are no longer in elementary school. It’s such a bittersweet time. I couldn’t be more proud of her and the things she has accomplished throughout these years. She has done so many amazing things and I only have time to mention a few!

Ava was picked to be the only youth presenter at the welcoming ceremony for her school when it first opened in her 3rd grade year. She was a part of the All County Chorus, Winston Salem Youth Chorus, and Central Carolina Children’s Chorus. She placed 3rd in her 3rd grade science fair and was in the spelling bee that year. She has competed in the Elementary Battle of the Books. She was chosen to be a library assistant and a safety patrol officer. She has taken dance classes, she competed in the Ballroom Dance Competition and with her teammates won the Silver Medal. She has done both gymnastics and soccer. She still swims at the Y and takes acting classes. She has ventured to Camp Hanes twice. Ava has traveled to many mountains and many beaches, the East and West Coast, the North and the South. She has been on a Caribbean cruise and has a stamp in her passport from Italy! She traveled with her school to both the Outer Banks and our Nation’s Capitol. She has earned straight A’s for the past two years and is going to be in AG math classes in 6th grade.

Ava is kind, humble, sweet, compassionate, friendly, caring, intelligent, hilarious, beautiful inside and out, talented and just a joy to be around. She is fiercely independent and free spirited. She loves music, people and animals. She loves to sing, act and learn. She has recently been trying to learn sign language and for the past two weeks has been eating a vegetarian diet and is sticking with it! I am truly lucky to call her my daughter. I look at her and know that if I have done nothing else right in life at least I had her! She is truly the light of my life.

Ava and her classmates are the first graduating class of Smith Farm Elementary. Most of them started together in 3rd grade and were the first 3rd grade, 4th grade and 5th grade classes at Smith Farm. The teachers and staff at Smith Farm have made their experiences unforgettable. I cannot thank each and every one of them enough for all of the time and energy they have put into this school and into our children.

When I came into her school on Wednesday, the day of Ava’s graduation, the 5th grade students were walking down the hallway. Parents, staff and younger grade students were lined up in the hallways clapping as the children walked into where their ceremony would be held. The kids were so happy and beaming with pride. I broke down at that point and was overcome by how proud I was and am of my child and her peers for all their hard work. Life is made up of moments and this was one of those unforgettable moments for me. I didn’t know if I could regain my composure after that but I told myself that I couldn’t sob the whole ceremony and I managed to get it together. The ceremony had a Dr. Seuss “Oh! The Places You’ll Go!” theme and was another example of how hard the staff work to make our children feel special.

My favorite part besides Ava’s diploma presentation was the slide show! They had baby pictures of our fifth graders and all of the children were yelling out guesses as to who they thought the picture was. Then they put a current picture of the child with a chalkboard that they had written on it what they wanted to be when they grew up! After that they put pictures of the kids over last few years and all of the things they have gotten to do! I loved that the kids got to reflect on their time at Smith Farm and really see how far they’ve come!

Thank you again to all the amazing people who have taken part in Ava’s life. It really “takes a village” and you all are a wonderful village for Ava to grow in. As Ava and her classmates would say:  “always stay a WISE owl- Winning attitude, Independent thinking, Self control and Excellence everywhere”. Good luck to all the graduating Smith Farm Owls! I can’t wait to hear about all the places you will go!

Singing songs for the families! Ava had a solo!   Commencement Ceremony and 100 years old for 100 days of school! 3rd grade project where they researched and dressed up like an American hero. Ava chose Amelia Earhart.  Ava dancing!  Dr. Seuss day and a 5th grade school dance!Library helpers on pajama day! Ava and her brother Trenton. Ava and her Nana.

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~Jessi Paige

To see Ava’s other school events click on Dancing Classrooms or Washington D.C. Trip.