Emma and Friends

Emma is excited about her next adventure at St. Croix Prep. At the same time, she is also sad that her friend group is going different directions in the coming year. We wish the best to them all. We know that we can always go back to Liberty if St. Croix doesn't work out, but we are really hoping the change will be a positive one.

Emma and Lily

Lily, Emma, Tabi, Cece, Svea, Olivia

Emma and Tabi

Nevaeh, Lilynn, Eloise, Lily, Tabi, Emma, Hannah

Tabi, Eloise, Lilynn, Cassidy, Nevaeh, Emma, Lily

The Core Four

Olivia, Eloise, Tabi, Nevaeh, Hope, Lily, Lilynn, Hannah

Eighth Grade Graduation

Emma's class had a special graduation this year. The school did a slideshow with baby pictures that juxtaposed student current school photos. They also had a slideshow with all the special group events that have occurred for her group since kindergarten. Awards were given for academic achievement as well. Emma has worked hard to be on the A honor roll each semester and was part of the student council this year. As part of the graduation, Emma's classmates had to come up with top words to describe her then the teachers compiled the words and narrowed the choices down to four personal traits. Emma's four words were: sweet, logical, studious and graceful. As parents, we received a handwritten thank you note from Emma detailing how much she appreciated us sending her to a private school for her middle school years. Emma received a white rose along with her awards for the year and the event ended with confetti tubes that surprised the whole group. Of course one tube didn't pop and the boy group had quite an interesting time finding ways to make it explode.

Here are a few photos of Emma with her artwork from this year.

Biking the Dakota/Luce Line Trail

We spent some time biking on the Luce Line Trail for Memorial weekend. The weather was a bit colder on Saturday but it still felt nice for biking. The gravel trails gave us the feeling of being back in a simpler time. We have all been overtaxed with work and school and are very much looking forward to summer and a calmer feel to our days.

Track Meet Take 2, 3 and then State

Emma's second track meet had nice weather. They met at Hill Murray high school in Maplewood. Emma participated in the 400m, the 800m and the 2x400 relay. She ended up 3rd in the 400m and 1st again in the 800m. She was disappointed that some teammates needed to leave early so the 2x400 didn't score as well but the team tried hard and that is what matters. Below is a team photo shoot and a photo of Emma running the 400m. The third track meet had similar results to the second. Emma got her 800 m time down to 2:48 which was an all time best.

The final state meet had the group returning back to the St. Thomas field. Emma took first at state with a time of 2:48 for the 800m and she got 4th for the 400m with a time of 1:10. She participated in the group 4x400 as well. Temps were high, reaching into the 80s for the final race of the day. The group of Liberty 7/8th grade girls ended strong and got 2nd place overall.

Speech for the School

Emma was given the opportunity to say her speech for the entire school this year on Grandparent's Day. Grandma Kathy got sick with a bad cold, so Grandpa Mark went on his own to see Emma give the speech. He said she did a great job and the speech was flawless. Grandpa also went to see both girls in their classes. He saw Analise's science class and Emma's English class. There are no pictures for this event because grandpa doesn't take photos. We were glad he was able to be there for the girls and see Emma perform. Emma did get in the weekly news for her added effort when presenting to the entire school.

Choir Concert

After speech meet is complete, we head into the season of concerts and shows. Both girls had leadership roles for the choir concert this spring. Analise did a quartet with Fiona and two seventh graders to a song from "Neverending Story."

Emma did a duet with Lilynn called "Gratitude." Both girls had to try out for their parts. It was nice to see them stepping out and sharing their talents with others.

Emma's group also did a song from the Greatest Showman and the full 3-8th grade group finished the night off with "When You Believe" from the Prince of Egypt.

St. Thomas Track Meet

This must just be Emma's week for first place wins. At the track meet she came in 1st for the 800 m and she worked as the anchor for her teams 4x400 race. The team was in sixth but Emma got them up to third in the last leg of the relay. The weather was a bit chilly but the sun came out later in the day. It was fun to see St. Thomas Academy and Visitation where Analise's friend Ellie will be going next year. Way to go Emma!