Our oldest granddaughter, Kallie Barnes, graduated from Ponchatoula High School on Friday evening. I
‘m thankful that the next graduation will be 7 to 8 years from now as this one stirred up a lot of emotion in my heart! Ponchatoula High School is in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. It is where both of our sons graduated from lots of years ago. They are 37 and 40 years old so it’s been almost 20 years. Wow, they are old!!!! I’m not but they are!!
Back to Kallie! I tend to get sidetracked and go down memory road. Friday night at Southeastern Louisiana University’s University Center we were blessed to see this precious young lady graduate. A big milestone for any young person. These are some photos from the big event!
Kallie in her beautiful white dress for under the graduation gown!
Kallie and her bestie (from childhood to present) Madelyn Crowley. Madelyn goes by Madi in real life! Yes, they are pretty inseparable! They even plan to go to Southwest Mississippi Junior College together, majoring in Nursing!
Kallie’s cousin DJ Redden, her mom Misty Chauvin, her stepdad Chip Chauvin, cousin Haylee Perrotto and little sister Madisyn Chauvin waiting for the big event to begin!
Kallie’s nieces Raylynn, Alaina, her sister Stephanie Barnes and Stephanie’s boyfriend Travis Hahn. There were other relatives there supporting Kallie, I just didn’t get their picture!
The Ponchatoula High Orchestra
After all the graduates marched in the Pledge of Allegiance was said by all in attendance. We are proud to live in an area where this is still respected. 
The Senior Choir sang a combination of classical and hip hop music
The big moment arrived when the seniors lined up to receive their diplomas! Here is Kallie waiting in line for her turn!
Drum roll please!! The PHS Senior Kallie becomes PHS Graduate Kallie!
Only a mama (Misty) could get this picture, picking her daughter out of the hundreds of graduates!
And in our area prayer is still a respected moment. This was taken right before they prayed. A student gave the closing prayer and I know God was smiling!
All Ponchatoula alumni in the audience participate in the Alma Mater. The video pans to Chip participating with his finger held high! I love this part of the ceremony, the graduates are all so proud to graduate from such an excellent school!
Ponchatoula Alma Mater
Ponchatoula, Alma Mater, we love to sing thy name in praise,
And we cherish pleasant memories of all our happy days.
We love thee dear old Alma Mater fair
In our heart’s a song for you we share
Through the ages sing the praises of dear ol’ Ponchy High.
And the most fun moment of the night when the graduates celebrate and throw their caps in the air! This is always a special moment in any graduation and this was Kallie’s graduation’s special moment!
A few photos were taken after the graduation outside the University Center with Kallie’s mom Misty Chauvin, her Dad Ronnie Barnes, and her cousin DJ Redden
After graduation we all went to Don’s Seafood for an after graduation dinner. The food was delicious and the family visiting was even better! All the young girls want a place on Paw Paw Roy’s lap. They let me in the picture too!
Sweet Alaina got Paw Paw Roy to take a picture with her inside Don’s! Stephanie’s girls have claimed Roy who is Kallie’s Paw Paw as their new Paw Paw! 
Madisyn and her Paw Paw. I couldn’t decide which photo I liked best so here is Roy hugging on his granddaughter Madisyn Ann Chauvin. 
Grannie and Madisyn
I planned to include Kallie’s Graduation Party in this blog post. I changed my mind and it will be in a blog post all its own.
Ya’ll come back now for Part Two!
BECAUSE HE LIVES 