VdM Class of 2020: Milo
At the end of a typical school year, we honor and celebrate our sixth-year graduates and their families on campus with a graduation ceremony and after party—lovely speeches, delicious food, laughter, tears and lots and lots of Fitz's root beer. This year the pandemic forced us to change our plans and get creative. Graduating families came in their cars, to watch a parade put on by our community and a screening of their pre-recorded speeches, all the while maintaining a safe distance (and yes, there was root beer!).
While we did put on a pretty magnificent social-distancing ceremony (if we do say so ourselves), we think the graduates deserve to be celebrated just a little bit more. Over the next few weeks we'll highlight each of our sixth-year graduates on the blog. You'll meet some of the best people we know, children we love and have watched grow and develop into thoughtful, funny, curious, exciting and vibrant young people. And you'll get to watch their graduation speeches! Today, we'll meet Milo.
Milo is adventurous, incredible, very, very smart, always willing to help, and a great friend. There are so many things I will miss about him. When he's in the classroom, he will always be kind to everyone. He also supports people in every way. And he's an amazing person to be with. Upper Elementary fifth-year student
Villa di Maria: Introduce yourself! Tell us something you think everyone should know about you.
Milo: Hello all! I'm Milo, and I have gone to Villa for 6 years.
VdM: What are your hobbies and interests? What do you like to do for fun?
Milo: My hobbies are probably playing video games, making YouTube videos, and jumping on the trampoline. I also went to the circus before the COVID-19.
VdM: Do you have a favorite book or movie (or both)? What is it and why?
Milo: Oh, that's such a hard question! I'll have to say that I can't really choose for either question, because I have read so many good books thanks to the book club at Villa.
VdM: Tell us something about yourself that you are proud of.
Milo: I would say that I am proud that I am a natural leader, although I don't like to say things like that.
VdM: How old were you when you started at Villa di Maria? Where did you go before VdM?
Milo: When I first started at Villa, I think I was about six years old. but before, I went to a school called Flynn Park Elementary.
VdM: Let's talk about this school year... how do you feel about closing out your last year at Villa di Maria with distance learning?
Milo: To be honest, I don't really know. at first, I didn't really like it all that much, but It got easier as time went on.
VdM: What do you miss most about being on campus?
Milo: I think that I will miss all of my friends, and the ability to build things, and to choose what you do.
VdM: What's next for you? Where will you be going to middle school?
Milo: I will be going to the school in my district, called Britney Woods.
VdM: What is something you're most excited about going into your new school? Is there anything you're not excited about?
Milo: I guess that I'm excited to meet new people, but apparently it is going to be very loud at lunch, so... yeah.
VdM: Last but not least, you graduated from Villa di Maria!! How are you going to celebrate this summer?
Milo: I don't really know! my family is still talking about it, but I know that I'm getting some kind of gift...
Milo, you are always willing to help, supportive, funny and a good friend. Upper Elementary fifth-year student
Thank you, Milo! We will miss seeing you on campus every day but we know we haven't seen the last of you. You are bound for great things and we can't wait to see what your future holds.
And now... Milo's graduation speech:
[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://vdm.provelpizza.party/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Milo-speech.mp4"][/video]Photos courtesy of Milo's family and Melinda Smith.