~:[CH11 - Day 85]:~ Full Hearts

 
~:[CH11 - Day 85]:~ Full Hearts

I woke up early, loaded my van, then ventured to the campus. I kept looking at my watch as we finished this countdown. I quickly finished up the cross country & track area, setup the video room, and then double checked everything with MUN. It's been quite chaotic since arriving from New York, however, the committee definitely held down the fort AND more. As the time ticked on, it closed in on the time for the grand opening. We worked on a few tech issues, got everything else up and running and the rest is history. As we discussed our vision for this even over a year ago, ideas popped around, however, what stuck was the idea of having a greaterr version of open house. Simple, sweet and not taking away from the focus, alumni and staff coming back to reconnect and reminisce as they wander around the campus. As the countdown expired, I was running around making sure everything was checked off and it was. The only thing we needed now were people in the seats and it would be time to hit the play button; the people came. Fast forward until now, I've received so many thank you messages that my heart is overjoyed because I am so glad people had an amazing time. As an alumni and a staff member, all I wanted out of this was for all Dons to be able to relive their days at Cerritos HS, reconnect with those who they hold dear, and to show off what Cerritos has become. As I wandered around, I heard screams when people encountered someone they knew from long ago, I smiled as I saw friends crammed around a lunch table like they would during their high school days and more importantly seeing interaction between current students and alumni, staff, and more! My heart was full as I saw what we had originally planned out, become a welcoming success. From Anthony Chatmon II singing an amazing version of the National Anthem to my volunteering students ecstatic about all the stories heard and interactions they had; these are the moments, drip by drip, that made my heart so full. After months and years of messaging in the group, I put faces to names and really connected with so many. As I previewed the video after putting the final touches on it early in the morning, I recalled so many great moments at this school and was hopeful for the future that awaits. As we cleaned up, the students continued on with their stories and I smiled knowing that soon I could get some rest, but more importantly, that not only would my heart be full, but also the heart of so many others. After a few difficult years, I think this is just what the doctor ordered as we try to move past these difficult times together as Dons. At the end of the day, I saw so many leave with big smiles and full hearts; who could ask for anything more? Congratulations Dons on celebrating 50 years of Excellence.