GRAD DRESS REVEAL! I have AMAZING news regarding my high school graduation! I am no longer attending the HCOS graduation in person.

What?! Why not? And what about the dress??

Here’s the story.

Initially, I planned to attend the grad ceremony in Vancouver to celebrate with Heritage Christian Online School. However, I recently heard incredible news from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

I submitted a writing portfolio including the first chapters of my novels “Awake, Awoke”, “The Negotiation War”, and “Defenders of Lord Havom”, along with my two short stories “Forbidden Numbers”, “Starfall”, and a collection of poetry.

My portfolio won a Regional Gold Key Award, and the first chapter of “Awake, Awoke” won a Regional Silver Key! My portfolio was advanced to national level and I recently was awarded the honor of a National Silver Medal with Distinction. This places me among the top 1% of 100,000 candidates!

The Scholastic Award ceremony will take place in New York City at Carnegie Hall, a day before the HCOS in-person graduation. After careful thought, reflection, discussion, and prayer, I have decided to attend the Scholastic Award ceremony instead of my high school graduation. Although I am disappointed that I am unable to attend my grad in person, I could not have achieved this without my time as an online student.

In New York, I will not only meet other writers, but the jurors of the Scholastic Awards and editors of Scholastic Inc! This is a big next step for me in my writing career and my goals for life. I still plan to attend the VCS grad with a friend and will join the virtual HCOS graduation later in June. Instead of wearing this dress at my high school graduation, I get to wear it at Carnegie Hall in New York while receiving a National Silver Medal for my writing!