HCA Graduation 2004

HCA Graduation 2004
Some of these were hurried, and the flash didn't fire because of that. There's a lot of red eyes, too (I hate it when aliens invade just when you're taking photos). Sadly, some of the photos didn't turn out well, because the flash didn't have time to recharge, or someone got in the way, or because of my ineptness with the camera (I'm still learning). My sincerest apologies to the folks missing from various parts of the graduation.

Before the Start

Michael Williams (former Hilltop student, now at Hill Country Christian School), Melissa Pierre-Louise (I love that name! (she's now at Stony Point)) and two mystery students

Chloe is Doug and Jenny Pierce's youngest child. The Pierces taught at Hilltop until this year.

Mr. Pierce gave the commencement address two years ago; the students (and many adults) agree that it was one of the best (if not the best), most entertaining commencement addresses in the history of education.

Josiah tolerates a picture to get it over with. He'll be holding the candle up when the seniors march the aisle.

Josiah meets old nemesis, Mr. Pierce.

The Ceremony

Fortunately I took shots before they started out, as with folks moving around, I wasn't able to get good closeups of Lisa, Pinyada, Stephanie or Krystal entering. Erik's and Chris's shots came out too dark to use.

That's Lisa Albano and Pinyada Aungchawala in front.

Now Stephanie Baek's in front, followed by Jessica Blaylock, then Krystal Branson.

Someone stepped aside in time for me to snap Jessica.

Mike Camp looks awfully focused. I'm glad those red eyeballs aren't focused on me!

Here comes Erin Easley, followed by Erik Gilbert...

but Jessica Easley mysteriously appears from thin air!

Patricia Herrera looks excited as usual...

... while Eugene Kim, also as usual, looks serious (although she smiled in the photo just above!)

Katy Kim...

Kelly McCune tries to look appropriately serious.

Katie Roehm, with the smile that made her famous.

Chrissy Thornhill, a girl with a reason to smile, and Chris Ullman, Dragon Master.

The last HCA banner, ever...

Mr. Newman introduces the salutatorian...

Erin Easley! Erin gave a great speech, covering life at Hilltop, getting married, the Air Force, and her cousin who died as a US Marine in Iraq in early May, 2004.

Dr. Jones looks on while Erin speaks. After this, Dr. JOnes and Mr. Newman presented the awards. Most of the award photos are of the students right after they got on stage, waiting as their awards were described. I tried shooting an exit shot with Pinyada, but realized it would be dicey as other photographers moved about, and faces might turn away; I stuck with standing shots after that.

Jessica Blaylock, valedictorian. The first shot's rather dark, but it's classic Jessica. Her speech was also excellent.

After a video with photos of the graduates throughout their lives (including Eric in a bathtub with some fonky goggles), Chrissy gave a brief testimony. I'd never have guessed that as a young teenager, this vivacious young lady suffered so much anxiety that her parents had to pull her out of school. After a year or so of praying for healing, she was ready to try school again. With the help of God and her new friends at Hilltop, she overcame her problems, and is having a blast.

Next came the commencement address by Pastor R.J. Dugone. His children attended Hilltop, but graduated in previous years. In a cross between a speech and a sermon, he reminded the graduates of the folly of thinking they're smarter than God, using examples from the Bible and his own life

Again, I wasn't able to get photos, or at least clear ones, of everybody getting their diplomas or having their tassles turned. I took a couple of photos of graduates getting diplomas, but mostly stuck with tassle-turning. The lighting was tricky, so a lot of the photos didn't come out.
Each graduate was supposed to ask one special person in their life to turn their tassle. After that, the graduates recessed to (what else?) Pomp and Circumstance.

Koreans!

One of the saddest things for me about Hilltop not having junior high and high schools next year will be the absence of the Korean students. I have made some great friends among them, and they are always a lot of fun. This is Henry (he's the tall one) with me. Henry must have hugged me goodbye a dozen times. This was his first year here, but he played football and basketball (many of the Korean students played sports; without them Hilltop might not have had an athletic program this year!)

Robin, Henry, Justin (?) and Ted

Just one, big, happy, extended, Korean family!

And here's how I'll always think of the Koreans! They were always taking photos to send home. They were like crazed tourists, taking photos of each other and everyone and everything around them at the drop of a hat. With all those flashes, they lit up our lives in more ways than one. A few of them will be in the area next year somewhere, but I'm not sure where. The majority will be back in Korea. They will be sorely missed.

Reception

Jessica, Christy and me

Poor Josiah, so many of his friends are graduating! But at least he's got two of them close for now.

Erin's Party

Why is Erin smiling? Who knows? She smiles a lot. She really brightens a room up! We missed most of her party, cleaning up after the main reception.

Erin's sister, Kristin, and their mom (Gloria) did the work for the party. I took this picture, then realized I was out of memory in the camera. So sorry, no more pictures. 8^(

Last updated: 23 May 2004
Copyright 2004 Miles O'Neal, Austin, TX. All rights reserved.
Miles O'Neal <roadkills.r.us@XYZZY.gmail.com> [remove the "XYZZY." to make things work!] c/o RNN / 1705 Oak Forest Dr / Round Rock, TX / 78681-1514

Before the Start
	Michael Williams (former Hilltop student, now at Hill Country Christian School), Melissa Pierre-Louise (I love that name! (she's now at Stony Point)) and two mystery students

	Chloe is Doug and Jenny Pierce's youngest child. The Pierces taught at Hilltop until this year.
	Mr. Pierce gave the commencement address two years ago; the students (and many adults) agree that it was one of the best (if not the best), most entertaining commencement addresses in the history of education.
	Josiah tolerates a picture to get it over with. He'll be holding the candle up when the seniors march the aisle.
	Josiah meets old nemesis, Mr. Pierce.
The Ceremony
Fortunately I took shots before they started out, as with folks moving around, I wasn't able to get good closeups of Lisa, Pinyada, Stephanie or Krystal entering. Erik's and Chris's shots came out too dark to use.
	That's Lisa Albano and Pinyada Aungchawala in front.
	Now Stephanie Baek's in front, followed by Jessica Blaylock, then Krystal Branson.
	Someone stepped aside in time for me to snap Jessica.
	Mike Camp looks awfully focused. I'm glad those red eyeballs aren't focused on me!
	Here comes Erin Easley, followed by Erik Gilbert...
	but Jessica Easley mysteriously appears from thin air!
	Patricia Herrera looks excited as usual...
	... while Eugene Kim, also as usual, looks serious (although she smiled in the photo just above!)
	Katy Kim...
	Kelly McCune tries to look appropriately serious.
	Katie Roehm, with the smile that made her famous.
	Chrissy Thornhill, a girl with a reason to smile, and Chris Ullman, Dragon Master.
	The last HCA banner, ever...
	Mr. Newman introduces the salutatorian...
	Erin Easley! Erin gave a great speech, covering life at Hilltop, getting married, the Air Force, and her cousin who died as a US Marine in Iraq in early May, 2004.

	Dr. Jones looks on while Erin speaks. After this, Dr. JOnes and Mr. Newman presented the awards. Most of the award photos are of the students right after they got on stage, waiting as their awards were described. I tried shooting an exit shot with Pinyada, but realized it would be dicey as other photographers moved about, and faces might turn away; I stuck with standing shots after that.








	Jessica Blaylock, valedictorian. The first shot's rather dark, but it's classic Jessica. Her speech was also excellent.

	After a video with photos of the graduates throughout their lives (including Eric in a bathtub with some fonky goggles), Chrissy gave a brief testimony. I'd never have guessed that as a young teenager, this vivacious young lady suffered so much anxiety that her parents had to pull her out of school. After a year or so of praying for healing, she was ready to try school again. With the help of God and her new friends at Hilltop, she overcame her problems, and is having a blast.

	Next came the commencement address by Pastor R.J. Dugone. His children attended Hilltop, but graduated in previous years. In a cross between a speech and a sermon, he reminded the graduates of the folly of thinking they're smarter than God, using examples from the Bible and his own life
	Again, I wasn't able to get photos, or at least clear ones, of everybody getting their diplomas or having their tassles turned. I took a couple of photos of graduates getting diplomas, but mostly stuck with tassle-turning. The lighting was tricky, so a lot of the photos didn't come out. Each graduate was supposed to ask one special person in their life to turn their tassle. After that, the graduates recessed to (what else?) Pomp and Circumstance.





Koreans!
	One of the saddest things for me about Hilltop not having junior high and high schools next year will be the absence of the Korean students. I have made some great friends among them, and they are always a lot of fun. This is Henry (he's the tall one) with me. Henry must have hugged me goodbye a dozen times. This was his first year here, but he played football and basketball (many of the Korean students played sports; without them Hilltop might not have had an athletic program this year!)
	Robin, Henry, Justin (?) and Ted
	Just one, big, happy, extended, Korean family!
	And here's how I'll always think of the Koreans! They were always taking photos to send home. They were like crazed tourists, taking photos of each other and everyone and everything around them at the drop of a hat. With all those flashes, they lit up our lives in more ways than one. A few of them will be in the area next year somewhere, but I'm not sure where. The majority will be back in Korea. They will be sorely missed.
Reception
	Jessica, Christy and me
	Poor Josiah, so many of his friends are graduating! But at least he's got two of them close for now.
Erin's Party
	Why is Erin smiling? Who knows? She smiles a lot. She really brightens a room up! We missed most of her party, cleaning up after the main reception.
	Erin's sister, Kristin, and their mom (Gloria) did the work for the party. I took this picture, then realized I was out of memory in the camera. So sorry, no more pictures. 8^(