ZELA, CLASS of 2012

In 2003,  Zela my son came to the USA as a small boy, but now he is a real big boy. He started his school in Rosemont Elementary School in Gaithersburg, MD. He did his Middle School in Roberto Clemente in Germantown and he completed his High School in a huge and prestigious Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. His school is close to our house, too close for him to ride a bus, therefore, if it was not raining heavily or snowing, he walk to the school throughout his time. High School students go to school early in the morning, and get done earlier than others. Sometimes they start the class so early that they have to leave home before daylight breaks!

After  toiling for four long years, he made himself qualified to earn the High School graduate. This is something most families look forward to, this is when the parents let off their burden for the child. This is a point where the society think  the child starts getting mature. A point where he is suppose to take care of himself,  apparently, the first step from where he is going to pursue his own career.



When one graduate High School in America, there are many dos and donts and some steps to follow. They have to have  good grades, they should  have enough SSL hours, they should not have dues etc.. However, once they cross all the hurdles, towards the end of senior year they have many fun in waiting. One of those fun is prom ( short for promenade), it is a formal black tie dance for the students. It is a major High School event especially for senior students. If a graduating student wish to attend prom, he/she will have to have a date to go with. Students without  date are not restricted from going to prom, it is just uncomfortable things to do. Sometimes some students go with a group with no particular date. And attendees must be under 21 years old.

My son planned to go to prom since long before. He said he was going to attend all the gathering that graduating students were permitted to go to. Therefore he looked out for his date and confirmed with one girl. However, for the reason we didn't know the first girl could not make it and had to find another one quickly! About a week before prom he could find another date, and all the new outfits, like new shoe, new tux as well as the limo we hired would not go wasted after all. He told me that he had asked her for his date by writing an invitation on the back of a turtle, as she fond of turtle so much she had said 'yes'.

On the day of prom, they made a plan to wait up at the pier at the lake, close to our house. He told us to come along and bade him luck and see them off.

Standing alone in the pier waiting for his date.

with dad

with Mum watching people

with mum...before date arrived.

Date arrives as tradition, boy give corsage to the girl

And girl give a matching boutonniere to be worn in the lapel.

In their rented limo with their other friends..leaving.

We don't know how exactly they spend their time, but we know that prom dance floor can be this crowded.

HIS GRADUATION:

Graduation Celebration ceremony was held on June 7 2012 at 10 a.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, in downtown DC. This beautiful hall was constructed on 1929 and since then thousands and thousands of people use this hall for concerts and big gathering throughout the year. It had a seating capacity of about 3700 people. This hall was situated very close to the White House.


Class of 2012 consists of 320 students. Mr. Marc J Cohen, the Principal told the gathering people his school spoke more than 120 languages, which is really remarkable. The guest Speaker for this graduation was Jeffrey Slavin, Mayor, Town of Sommerset. He was also 2011 Philanthropist of the Year, Montgomery County. The Guest Speaker in his commencement address quoted Hillary Clinton saying as, "There may be cell phone, internet and different social media, however, nothing substitute for showing up".

The school gave out ten tickets to every graduating students, we may request additional ticket if we needed.  Puipuii d/o Rev. Maruata  came all the way from Atlanta to witness Mama's graduation day. Besides my family, Zoremi and Hruaitea also could make it on time. On the way to the venue traffic jams gave us a damnable time. Trying to be there on time I navigated and maneuvered different routes just to find out that all roads to Downtown DC ware jam tight in that very hour.  I could see my son thru the rear view mirror who was too dismay at the situation pretended to be asleep at the back seat of our mini van. Everyone was so so stressful at that time for we really were in danger of not reaching on time before the main door closed. I knew that my son who was so frustrated tried to contain his aggravation within himself, that made me glad as I considered that as a sign of maturity. Luckily, to all our surprise, we got there just on time!

They gave us a very beautiful program booklet in which they printed all the names of the graduating students. Zela Khiangte was found somewhere in the middle among all those students. At the last page they printed Mahatma Gandhi saying as, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others".  It was so inspirational especially for us who came from India to read and quoted our great Indian leader in the US. Not only does the saying was meaningful but also so appropriate for the function we attend. I assumed the school selected this saying from among many others to be the one to ring in the students' ear to guide their lives forever. And I approved.

Boys green robe, girls golden robe. The function started with singing National Anthem.

Commencement Address by Jeffrey J. Slavin

Zela's friend Joel who also graduated, sung a song he wrote.

One by one students walked up the stage to get their Certificate

Up the steps he went

Last moment with a tousle on the left

Shook hand with the Principal

Line of dignitaries shaking hands

Proud family excitedly looking on

Thrilled siblings had a good time.

Joyful family couldn't hide their feeling...

Outside DAR, picture time

He did it...

We were all happy for him.

With siblings who adore him.

For parents he was born like yesterday, yet he finished High School already..

Father and older son now lead the way..

Cruising DC by foot; no... on a way back to valet parking.

Cherished moments

See..everyone looked happy

He is now his own responsibility..

As the tousle fly on the RIGHT

Everyone else behind him...following him

Then...graduation late lunch at Cheesecake Factory; a place Mama chose to dine for celebration.