OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY: GRADUATION DAY

Abigail graduated June 24, 2009. It was such a beautiful day. 80 degrees. A nice breeze. Had it not been this nice, the ceremony would have been held inside. so we were very lucky. There were a little over 300 girls in the senior class and about 2,000 in the audience.

All the graduates wore long white formal gowns with gloves, as tradition has been for over 50 years. Abigail's silk dress had a short train and bustle with hand sewn beading around the neckline, which you can see better in one of the following pictures.

Catherine McAuley was the Foundress of The Sisters of Mercy. These Sisters were responsible for opening the first "select school." St. Francis Xavier Academy for Females was the first school chartered in the city of Chicago in 1846. The original building was destroyed by the Chicago Fire of 1871. It was relocated and by 1956, in need of additional space, the "Academy" opened it's doors as Mother McAuley High School in it's present location (three blocks from our home). It is the largest, all female school in the country. Above is the graduation announcement.

The happy "grad!"

Here is Abby in that familiar posing spot in front of the fireplace!! I just seem to get the best light here and it is the best backdrop for my pictures. But I bet you are all tired of seeing the big old monster!!

The procession line...

"Okayyyyyy!!! Enough snapshots!!"

I meant to take some pictures of the campus as spring arrived. It is so beautiful! The school shares a 2 square mile block with St. Xavier University and Brother Rice High School, the all male high school which my sons attended. Emily graduated from Mother McAuley in 2005. Many of the older buildings have been added to, keeping with the traditional architecture. There are beautiful trails and a pond as well as all types of plants and trees that attract all sorts of birds. I PROMISE I will take some pictures for a future Outdoor Wednesday!!

The chapel.

"I did it!!!"

...and the final walk across campus toward home.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday!! Stop in and see Susan at A Southern Daydreamer, our hostess for today. I am on my way now to see the list of everyone participating. I hope to visit all of you by the end of the week!! :-)

xoxo

Jane