Wait A Minute, Gavin's Not Doing A Graduation Ceremony?

Let me share with you a little about Gavin. He's been doing school at home since 5th grade except for his 9th grade year when we tried a different high school. It didn't work out, so we won't talk about that year. Anyway, Gavin didn't do an elementary school "graduation" to middle school or anything kind of significant celebration when 8th grade ended and he was going to start high school. 

I think that since a big deal wasn't made of starting middle school or starting high school, he doesn't see that big deal about it all ending. He just doesn't want to participate in any of it. He could have gone to a homecoming dance last fall. He didn't want to. He could have gone to the local high school to have senior pictures made. He didn't want to. So, he is missing all the senior activities that might be happening at the school he would attend if he went to school and didn't do it at home, but he doesn't care. 

Since he's been doing school at home for all these years, he doesn't have that pressure if you want to call it that, to be like all the other kids. He's happier just walking around our property hunting squirrels. He's happier to just go ride his dirt bike. I'm not forcing him to do any of the typical senior things or to not do them. Except for that 9th grade year, Gavin's contributed to his education decisions. That may be a little unconventional but ever since his 5th grade year we discuss his education together. Yes, I have the final say in what he does for school, but I believe that his opinion and feelings matter. 

He won't be a part of a graduation ceremony. He will be hiking the Appalachian Trail during graduation. We (Gavin and I) worked really hard together the last few years so that he could graduate early. At the beginning of high school, we didn't realize that graduating early would mean he'd be hiking the Appalachian Trail. He finished his high school credits in December. His trade school program starts in August so what else is a 17-year-old to do? He was given this opportunity and he decided to go for it. 

I'm not going to tell him that he can't do that so that I can see him walk across a stage to receive his diploma. Yes, it is a big deal to me that he has his diploma. I'm really proud of the schooling that we did together. But I don't need him to walk across a stage. I did have graduation pictures made. They just weren't made in school or for the yearbook. We will celebrate his graduation when he gets back. We will also celebrate him completing the Appalachian Trail and turning 18 years old this summer. It's all a celebration.