At the end of May I graduated from high school. From preschool to twelfth grade, I attended ten different schools – one private school, five international schools, two public schools (one in Texas and the other in Slovakia), the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ eCampus (I did an online course in Human Anatomy and Physiology for my senior year), and the online homeschool curriculum (Abeka Academy) I have used for the past five years. I learned so much and had so much fun with Abeka Academy that I was a bit sad to graduate!

Now you may be wondering, how does a homeschooler in Alaska graduate from high school? Here in Alaska you have the choice to either independently homeschool your kids or enroll them in a homeschool correspondence program, such as IDEA or Mat-Su Central. The difference between the two is that with independent homeschooling, the parent or guardian is entirely responsible for taking care of their child’s education and doesn’t receive state funding (allotment) for purchasing homeschool supplies; when enrolled in a homeschool correspondence program, you work with a contact teacher to ensure you’re child meets the core educational criteria, credits, and is able to receive an allotment for homeschool-related purchases. When my family first moved to Alaska a little over two years ago, we chose to enroll in a homeschool correspondence program, specifically IDEA. My family was issued a contact teacher (children from the same family typically share the same contact teacher) for homeschool support and setting up ILPs. An ILP, which stands for Individual Learning Plan, outlines what a student will be doing for the school year and ensures that high school students receive enough credits to graduate and/or graduate with an Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS). I chose to go that path, and I’m using that scholarship to help cover my college tuition.

Back to my graduation ceremony. Earlier in the year my family received an email about the option for me to walk in IDEA’s graduation ceremony, which would be held in a sports stadium, in May. In order to graduate, I had to finish school by May 1st. My contact teacher was a major help in making sure that all paperwork and documentation was completed so that I could graduate. In fact, with all the credits I had, I could have graduated a year earlier, but I chose to continue my high school education.

My family decided to take part in the graduation ceremony, and ordered my graduation cap, gown, and tassel in March so that it would arrive in time for graduation. This year’s color and style for the graduation regalia was royal blue and gold, with a matte finish. We also submitted a few pictures of me for the graduation slide show that would be projected during the ceremony.

On the day of the ceremony, I arrived at the sports stadium by 11:30a.m. for the required graduation rehearsal before the actual ceremony, which would begin two and a half hours later (a long time for a rehearsal, I know!). After dropping off any belongings in locker rooms, all the graduates lined up in last-name-alphabetical-order. Next came rehearsal. We all walked in single file around the upper level of the sports stadium (which I believe was a running track) and then down the stairs to the main level, where each student had a quick picture taken and was handed a red rose. We then walked down the center aisle and were seated in rows on either side of the stage. Next, the mayor and other people would give homeschool and future-related speeches, and then the graduates would begin coming up onto stage.

After the rehearsal, we graduates had about half an hour for a snack and water break, and then we lined back up in last-name-alphabetical-order. My placement in the line gave me a view of the entrance to the arena, so I got to watch guests come into the building while I waited. Finally, the ceremony began.

The graduation ceremony was a smoother repeat of the rehearsal. Since my last name begins with the letter P, I was among the last couple of students to go up on stage. I gave a quick speech (a short, 20-second speech was optional), thanking everyone who helped me along my schooling journey, as my parents came up to the stage. I handed my parents the rose in exchange for my diploma, they placed a graduation garland/leis around my neck (which was made by a friend!), and then we stood at center stage for a picture. Once all graduates received their diplomas, there was a reception with food and drinks for graduates and guests.

It was a long day, and I was happy to get home. When I did, I found the most amazing graduation gift I could have gotten! But more on that in my next blog :).

Now that you’ve read about my high school graduation, you may be wondering what I plan on doing next. I’ve always had a passion for medicine, and I will start with getting my bachelors degree in Biological Sciences, which I’ll be doing online through the University of Alaska’s eCampus. That gives me the flexibility to start college online and move to on-campus if I chose to do so later on. As mentioned earlier, I took an online course in Human Anatomy and Physiology with UAF during my senior year of high school, so I already have a bit of a feel for what it’s like. And speaking of college, today was my first day!

Dare to explore!

Vivienne

P.S. Check my next blog to read about my amazing graduation surprise!