Graduation #3

The Nobles have had a year of graduations.  Alyssa graduated from Berry College and Carrie graduated from Rome High both in May 2012.  Last week, on a Thursday afternoon Aaron graduated from Kennesaw State University. There were definitely days that I didn't believe this day would ever come... it's been a long road, and I believe it's just the beginning of Aaron's exciting journey.

Aaron graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Geography.  His last semester he had some tough classes, and yet he finished with 3.25.  He wrote a grant proposal for his senior seminar class, and a 16 page paper for his sustainability class.  He proved he could work hard and get the degree! The next step is to find a full time job with benefits...patience is required.  He plans to teach and coach, and will begin the latter as a community coach with the Rome High soccer program in January.

Aaron with his advisor, Dr. Patterson

The proud parents

Aaron with Grandmommie

Colonel Greg Rawlings and Aunt Karen came from North Carolina

Aaron with his new coaching shirt, a gift from  the great Coach Steve Davis!

Family and friends have shown their support for Aaron, and many came for his graduation celebration.  Unfortunately, I failed to get pictures of some of our favorite supporters. Thanks to Hailey, Jacin and the boys for celebrating with us.  Hailey's oldest, Jackson, calls Aaron "king"...it's reference to King Aren from Adam Raccoon books that he reads with his mom (and I read to my kids)!  Others that came to congratulate Aaron were Uncle Jim,  Aunt Wanda, Luke and Christina from next door, and Steve and Gus Davis.

Robbie and Tracy, Berry grads and neighbors!

Kate with baby Levi.
Levi's mom is Hailey and is a dear friend and Berry grad!

Emily and Brandon, our travelling neighbor kids joined us

Cousins Jackson and Ashley with Aunt Karen

Cousin Lauren and her friend Ethan

Congratulations Aaron...remember it's called commencement because it's the beginning!

Swimming update

Kate continues to love swimming, and is improving all the time.  She has a love/hate relationship with the high school coach.  She knows he is pushing her to make her faster, but she hates his tactics.  Her club coach is laid back and encouraging, the high school coach seems like an ogre.  Oh, the perspective of a 13 year old.

Kate doesn't seem the competitive type, but put her in the pool and she is all about beating you. Rome middle schoolers swim with the high school, but they don't count for points.  That is too bad, because Kate usually gets to the wall first.  Now, don't look for her in the 2016 Olympics, but she is fast and her strokes are beautiful.  She works hard to perfect the details...starts, turns, underwater work, dolphin kicks, breathing, etc...

She recently swam at the annual Jingle Bell meet, which is a USA swimming meet and had a great day of racing against girls in her age division.  USA swimming is where she gets her real competition, and she can see how she stacks up against other year round swimmers.  High school swimming is fun for her because they have a meet every week and she is one of the best in the pool!

This  video is her 100 individual medley at the Jingle Bell meet on December 8.  She didn't win the event, but it shows all her strokes and you can get a sense of her competitiveness, as she almost catches the girl beside her. She finishes in 3rd place, but it's still a very strong swim. Kate is in the green swim cap and is in lane 5, which is closest to the camera most of the time, when I don't lose her in my videoing!

She recently broke 6 minutes for the 500 freestyle.  Her new PR for the 100 free is 1:01 and she recently won the 200 freestyle in 2:14, beating the 2nd place swimmer by 14 seconds.  She likes the backstroke and swims the lead off leg of the 200 medley relay.

The End....for now

The first 10 years Randy taught at West Rome Junior High, but in 1990 the city schools consolidated into Rome Middle School.  This is where Randy poured his heart, soul and many hours of his life over his teaching career.  Students loved his class because he was a storyteller.  He could make social studies, economics, history, and life lessons interesting.  Many parents told me that their dinner conversations often revolved around Mr. Nobles' stories and class happenings!

His classroom at RMS...he NEVER changed rooms.
Most teachers did!

The social studies department had a surprise breakfast for him on his last day of teaching. It was to begin at 7:45, so Brandon Williams was in charge of a small exaggeration.  Brandon rides with Randy and Kate each day, and they drop him at the high school. Brandon said he had to be at school at 7:45 to meet with a teacher to take a test. All went as planned, until Kate texted me that after they dropped Brandon off, Randy went to the maintenance department (i.e. bus barn)  Well, he made it to the party...and of course his phone rings. Randy is always on call, and will always answer.  It's what he does.

Taking a call during the party!

 Randy has taught at least two generations of students. Some students from those early years are now colleagues.  Last year his assistant principal, Phil Wood, was a former student and soccer player.

Dana Yeargen and Shannon Cooper, former students.

On a side note, Dana was my piano student throughout middle and high school. I watched her grow up into the wonderful teacher/mom/wife that she has become.  Kate has her in English Language Arts this year.  Last year, when Alyssa was student teaching at Elm Street she had Dana's son, Davis in her class.  It's the circle of life!!

Jason Self, another former student who teaches at RMS

We enjoyed breakfast and then there was a cake for all to enjoy.  Aaron, Carrie, Kate and I were all able to attend Randy's big day. Alyssa was in her classroom in Mississippi, and probably thinking that she is a teacher because of her Dad! There were definitely some tears, as RMS has been a huge part of our family's life.

Randy and Katie Cumming, RMS counselor.

Kate will finish 8th grade without her Dad teaching in a classroom, but he will still take her to school each day. His dream job would be athletic director at RMS on a part-time basis.  Stay tuned for details!
He will continue to drive buses for the athletic teams, and help out....it's in his system.

Randy never backed down when it came to sharing his faith with the kids.  One of his favorite sayings was "you have a 100% chance of dying".  This often opened a door for him to share about Christ. He definitely showed the love of Christ as he walked the halls each day.

32 years of going to school, teaching, coaching, listening to problems, helping students, driving buses, lunch duty, bus duty, professional learning, faculty meetings, it's time to graduate to something else. The possibilities are endless!