This is actually a WMDW (what my daughter wore). She just had her 8th grade promotion, and she was honoured (because of her GPA) by being allowed to give the closing speech. She also received the Presidential Art Award for excellence.

Her speech was very personal, and spoke to the issue of not being happy with how she looked in 7th grade and overcoming that. I must have had a dozen moms come to be after the ceremony to tell me how powerful her speech was and how she gave voice to what every woman feels at some point. I was so proud of her!

I am also proud of her because she took Algebra in 8th grade and is taking both Geometry and Algebra II as a freshman. She is very math oriented, and wants to pursue getting college credits in math by the time she is a senior. She wants to become an actuarial scientist after college.

Anyway, DH thought we were overdoing it with a full-length dress, but girls go ALL OUT for this event. There were so many amazing up-dos and a lot of full-length dresses. We bought her a full-length dress of her choice and took her to have her hair professionally done. Although I didn't quite feel we got what we paid for with the hair (up-dos are expensive!), it was exactly what she wanted, and she loved it (which is all that really matters, I guess). And to top off a fabulous evening, her very best friend - who moved away this year - came to the ceremony! I asked her mum if she was going to stay for the dance, and her mum said she wasn't allowed because she wasn't a student at the school any longer. Because I teach, I told her to "give me a minute." I went and talked with the Super, and he gave his permission and signed her permission slip, so my DD got to spend the evening with her best friend!