May is a very eventful time of year for schools, and this is also true for distance learning schools like Alpha Omega Academy®. This past May, graduation receptions were held in four locations throughout the continental United States. Academy graduates came from various places in the United States and the world to participate in these receptions.

Aircraft carriers and beautiful weather greeted the seniors on May 1, when they arrived at the Holiday Inn on the Bay in sunny San Diego, California. One family came all the way from Malaysia to celebrate the occasion. Sandwiched between Six Flags over Texas and Rangers Ballpark, the Sheraton Arlington was the center of attention for a May 8 graduation reception in Arlington, Texas. On May 22, 14 graduates were able to celebrate their graduation from high school at a castle in Orlando, Florida, at the Double Tree Castle Hotel. Finally, on May 29, not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the graduates and their families at the Hilton Garden Inn of Fairfax, Virginia. The rain and traffic slowed one family driving in from nearby, but the family from the Bahamas was there in plenty of time.


As graduates and their families arrived at each of these locations, they spent time mingling and finding their seats. After a brief interlude of "Pomp and Circumstance," the events of the evening began with prayer. The graduation video address, delivered by Pastor Jason Janz, challenged the graduates to be world changers for Christ.

The seniors were then presented with their diplomas, as a slide presentation with pictures and information on future plans crossed the screen. The group was eventually presented as 2009 graduates of Alpha Omega Academy, and they moved their tassels. After many pictures, congratulatory hugs, handshakes, and celebratory tears, the graduates, as well as their families and friends, enjoyed delicious drinks and desserts, while watching a slideshow of Academy staff pictures with their favorite quotes or words of advice.

The overall experience was enjoyed by the graduates and their families, and those representing the Academy found it very rewarding as well. Many of those in attendance remarked with gratitude that it was a great blessing to be able to attend such a reception and meet other Academy families. If you have an Academy senior in your household, be sure to start thinking about a family vacation to one of our graduation receptions in May 2010.