Happy Graduation

We attended Francisco's "high school" graduation today.  This GED-like program basically met all-day every Saturday for two years.  There were 28 graduates today and their ages ranged from 18 to 40+.  There were young, single moms and middle-aged dads and everything in between. It was a day of celebration for the graduating class and we were happy to be a part of it.

Francisco gave the prayer to start the ceremony

Banana split to celebrate

PROUD TO BE A KC ROYAL

It's been a very long time since KC fans have been able to stand tall and proud, but there time has now come.  The amazing season left them a bit short of the division championship, and, instead, found them first in the wild card race.  Their post season started with an unbelievable victory in the wild card game on Tuesday night.  There was a little bit of everything in that game:  ahead, behind, behind more, tied, extra innings, behind, tied, bottom of the 12th, VICTORY.  All of that to get a chance to play the Angels in the American League Division Series.  

The good news continued with a great game last night . . . also extra innings, but with the same result--VICTORY.

We are believing here in San Salvador and cheering along with all our family and friends in Kansas City.  Proud to be a KC Royal.

Spelling Bee Fun

Roxana Quiñones, Principal of New Life School; Frank Pagluigh, 5th grade spelling coach; five 5th-grade students; seven 6th-grade students and I all arrived at Escuela Cristiana Oasis yesterday morning for the ACSI Spelling Bee.  Mr. Pagluigh and I had worked with each of our grades for the last month.  

More than 15 Christian, bi-lingual schools across El Salvador sent participants--there were 178 students this year.  Due to the size, each grade level was divided into two sections.  The four top spellers from each section met in grade-level finals where the grade-level winners were decided.

It was so exciting to have three of our 6th-graders in their grade-level final and to watch Amy Flores receive the 3rd place medallion for 6th grade.

Sixth-grade champions

 Andres, Carlos and Amy--our 6th grade finalists

Amy and me

Amy with Mrs. Roxana and Mrs. Patty, plus a close up of her and her medal

Today, Roxana, Amy and I returned for the final competition.  Sixteen students (4 grade-level winners from each grade (5th, 6th, 7th and 8th) participated in today's final round.  Before today's bee started, ACSI Spelling Bee Coordinator, Ana Lucia, reminded all of the students that they were already champions.

We were so proud of Amy--she did an amazing job with words like "affability" and "avid."  She completed five rounds and finished in 6th place!  

With Ms. Roxana and Amy after the final round this morning

After today's event we returned to New Life to distribute the diplomas to the participants.  

5th Grade Spellers--Valeria, Daniela, Ericka, Laura and Kenneth

6th Grade Spellers--Alejandra, Amy, Sofia, Gaby, Andres, Juan Carlos and Carlos

We are proud of the entire team--we know how hard they studied.  Now it's time to start preparing for next year!