Tabitha's Graduation!

I am late in posting this, but yesterday was such a big day, and I had so many pictures to go through that I just couldn't get to it.  What an exciting evening we had!  At 5 p.m., Tabitha's Stockholm International Class of 2014 had their formal graduation ceremony at the Stockholm Hilton Slussen.  This meant that Tabitha and her friends spent the day getting ready.  Hair, make up, dresses, shoes, etc...  Just like the prom!  The boys had to go to school as usual but as soon as they got home, it was time to get them cleaned up and dressed up.  We rarely have formal occasions where all six are dressed up so I found this very fun.  The boys, not so much...

The ceremony was fantastic.  Speeches by the principal, the director of the school, two student representatives and one teacher.  The student choir then sang a couple of beautiful songs.  And, finally, the diplomas were handed out and the kids were each handed their graduation caps.  As soon as they all had their diplomas and caps, the class was formally introduced and they all donned their caps to symbolize their completion of high school.  

16 nationalities represented in the 28 kids in her class...

Formal gowns for the girls, dark suits and ties for the guys...

After the class processed out the auditorium to Intåg i sommarhagen by W. Peterson-Berger, we were all served a glass of champagne and allowed to take pictures and mingle before the formal dinner.

After a great time of hugs, tears, pictures and stories, we proceeded to a large dining room where we were served a very nice 4 course dinner.  The graduating class was seated at the head table and treated as royalty.  They were also served wine throughout the evening!  Tabitha sampled with a few sips but thankfully, did not really get into the drinking.  We enjoyed our table mates from the US and from Poland.  Quincy even made a friend with the 20 year old sister of one of Tabitha's classmates.  He enjoyed talking to her all evening about the differences between a Polish university education and an American one.

What a fantastic celebration of this huge mile stone for Tabitha!  Even though so many things were different than an American high school graduation, so many things were also the same.  We are so proud of Tabitha!