Family Ties: A slew of graduates move on to the next phase in their lives

May ushers in the end of the school year for many children, along with graduations for those moving on to higher levels of education or to a future career.

In my family, we had plenty of celebrating to do this month. We didn’t have just one graduate to cheer on — from preschool to college we set a family record with six relatives graduating this month. Three of the graduates are siblings and another pair are siblings as well.

First up to don a cap and gown was my 21-year-old niece Samantha Kappler. I wasn’t able to watch her walk as she graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, but I saw a photo of the smiling graduate, now free from college ties. Double majoring in criminal justice and electronic media and film, Samantha hopes to find a job in Tucson that will apply to either of her majors.

A couple days later, my other 21-year-old niece, Nikki Gallagher, stayed up late to finish her last college essay before officially graduating from Arizona State University in Tempe. Nikki double-majored as well, receiving degrees in theater and biochemistry. She hopes to move to Los Angeles soon to pursue acting.

Shortly after their commencement ceremonies, both young women packed their apartments and headed for their Tucson childhood homes.

Next up, my 2½-year-old son Zachary and I were audience members for my 5-year-old nephew Andrew Ashcraft’s preschool graduation from Real Kids Preschool. After the small graduating class sang a song with the younger grades, Andrew’s teacher called the “big kids” up one by one to say a few words about them, hand them a diploma and place a cardboard graduation hat on their head, officially making them kindergarteners. Photos were taken, and it was back to class for the proud kids.

At the halfway point in our many May ceremonies, my parents hosted a graduation party for Samantha, Nikki and Andrew. We officially congratulated the two now searching for a career and the little one heading off to all-day kindergarten.

About a week later, my husband Shane, Zachary and I attended one of the many high school graduations in town to watch my 18-year-old niece Kassi Kappler walk the stage at Tanque Verde High School. Kassi plans to attend college in Washington state, and while she is deciding between a variety of majors, she dreams of going to medical school to become a pediatric surgeon.

At Kassi’s graduation parking was difficult, so Shane dropped Zachary and me off near the entrance to the football field, where commencement would take place. Since it was still sunny and warm out, I packed a spray bottle with chilled water in the diaper bag in case we needed to cool down.

Zachary and I traipsed across the field, weaving our way through crowds of folks, some sitting on chairs, others resting on the grassy field. We sat next to one of my sisters at the bottom of a shaded bleacher. We watched for a while, greeted Shane upon arrival from his lengthy hike from where he found a parking space and searched for Kassi, and more relatives in the audience.

Last but certainly not least came the middle school students to graduate. Nephews Joey Gallagher, 15, and Josh Kappler, 13, graduated from Tucson Country Day School. Shane and Zachary played on a nearby playground, and I watched the commencement while checking in on my boys from time to time. Josh and Joey plan to attend high school together in the fall.

Congratulations to all of the 2014 graduates out there. And a special congratulations to my nieces and nephews who, as graduates, are moving on to a new chapter in their lives.