My Son the College Graduate

My son the college graduate, that sounds pretty cool. Shawn Smith, who happens to write for AC as you can see here, graduated the Challenger Early College High School program this weekend. Shawn went to regular high school at Bunker Hill for his freshman year then switched to Challenger. After gradating from Challenger Shawn had a high school diploma and an Associates Degree from college. Shawn's little sister Monica starts the Challenger program next year and we are looking forward to that.

You may notice the difference of last names between Shawn and myself. I don't particularly like putting a "Step" in front of son or daughter so I refer to him as my son. I have helped raise him, or possibly he raised me for several years now. I find that you can learn from your kids if you keep an open mind. From Shawn I have learned that not all teen age boys are lazy punks with an attitude. Shawn has the attitude (LOL) but he is one of the hardest workers I have ever been around. Challenger isn't easy but he managed to do his work, have a job and a very, very active social life during his time there. Shawn is a good looking and popular guy and if you don't believe me just ask him, he will tell you!

Shawn has a talent for picking up languages and is very interested in Asian culture. He is fluent in Hmong and even was in a Hmong dance group. That is very rare for a white kid to dance with the Hmong's and to be fluent in their language. Click this link for some video of them dancing. I would like to thank "Dr D" Robert E. Daniel the Principal of Challenger High School for all he does and did for his students.

I would also like to thank Mr. Carlton Hirschi (pronounced Hershey) who is the most dedicated teacher I have ever met. Band, music ensembles and individual lessons, Athletic Director, women's tennis coach, women's outdoor track coach, International Club Ethnic Dance ensembles and Bus Transportation Coordinator are just a few of the hats he wears each day. I can't say enough about Mr. Hirschi, I just hope the students at Challenger know what a gem a great teacher is to them.

Now that Shawn has graduated he is taking his skill for languages to the United States Marines. Shawn is going to be a translator for the Marines and he will be leaving for them in August of 2010. For years Shawn talked about joining the Air Force but he was seduced, I mean recruited by the Marines and they got him.

I have mixed feelings about my son joining the Marines. I am very proud of him on one hand and I have always been pro military. But it is easier to be pro military when your kids are not of fighting age while two wars are going on. Shawn's mother has lost one child when her 4 year old daughter died of a brain tumor. I hate to think of how devastating it would be is she/we lost Shawn to some terrorist scum. I think Shawn is a little sick of school but I hope he uses the Marines to further his education in the future

Shawn I am very proud of you and I as I always say you are the one kid of mine I never seriously worry about. And once again thanks for not making me a grandfather yet lol. Semper Fi!