My son, Patrick is graduating from High School on Sunday June 3 and on June 13, he turns 18 years old!

He has accomplished a lot during his high school years. He is a member of the National Honor Society, has been FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) chapter president, president of the German Club, and member of other various clubs. He is very proud of being elected Wisconsin FBLA State Secretary and presenting leadership labs to students around the state.

He has had perfect attendance all four of his high school years. Currently, he is working on becoming an Eagle Scout. He recently won the local Chamber of Commerce Scholarship for college.

He will be attending the University of Wisconsin - Madison in the fall majoring in Business Computer Information Technology. He already has a work study job with the UW Business School Information Technology department. This summer he will be working an internship in a Wisconsin State Senator's office.

His father left us when he was 5 years old, so I have raised him by myself since that time. I am extremely proud of him and it just goes to show that children from single mother homes can turn out great!

He also is a great person to take along on lighthouse trips.

Suzanne

[This message has been edited by Suzanne Murphy (edited 05-31-2001).]

WOW!!

Suzanne you have every right to be proud of Patrick. What a record! What a kid!

Congratulations, Patrick! I know you'll always remember your Mom's guidance, support, and most of all, her love.

[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 05-31-2001).]

And it sounds like you have done a pretty good job guiding Patrick. A fantastic resume for him as he graduates from high school. He has been a very busy young man.

Congratulations to Patrick on his accomplishments so far. Best wishes for continued success in your college studies.

Dave

CONGRATULATIONS Patrick & Suzanne!!! You both have a lot to be proud of. Good luck in college Patrick

Congrats to Suzanne and Patrick .

Remember to have lots of kleenex with you on graduation day! You both have earned the happiness!

Congratualtions to Patrick as well as to Mom! You certainly both have a right to be very proud of your accomplishments!

(So we have more in common than our love of cross-stitch, Suzanne. My husband and I divorced when my Linda and Bill were young also. Linda graduated with honors from Boston U. and now has her Masters. Bill, still more incredibly, graduated from West Point. With determination and a lot of help from above anything is possible!)

And Patrick even likes/tolerates? "lighthousing"! Linda tolerates, Bill doesn't, lol!

[This message has been edited by mombo (edited 05-31-2001).]

That's quite a résumé to start off with, Patrick. Keep it up through college. Congratulations to Patrick and Suzanne on jobs well done!

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-Art

Congratulations to you Patrick! And a very Happy Birthday... Suzanne you do have a right to be so proud...I too raised my Son Jim alone and he has turned into a terrific man. Great job there Suzanne.


Ruthie

I agree with Ruthie, Suzanne.I know you are very proud and I`m sure Patrick will do great at Wisconsin. Congratulations Patrick!


terry

It was obvious to me having briefly chatted with Patrick that he's got a lot on the ball. Congratulations! These accomplishments don't come without hard work and stick-to-it-ness. Good luck on getting to Eagle Scout! (And do I remember correctly he also played violin the school symphony?)

I'll add excellent career choice going to the UW - solid technology skills + MBA = interesting job with large dinero. :-)
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/im

[This message has been edited by JTimothyA (edited 05-31-2001).]

I'm so happy for you Suzanne. First of all, congratulations to you for being a great mom and guiding light. Second, my most heartfelt congratulations to Patrick. Best of luck to you with your future endeavors. As Saint Timoteo put it, "Good luck on getting to Eagle Scout!"

Tim - Keeping the flame lit...

Many congratulations, Patrick, on your fine achievement record in so many worthy areas. These experiences will all help you in your future. You don't probably remember it, but we met you at the HL Milwaukee Regional last July when we came from NH to my home state. Glad to see you are going to my old alma mater. The UW of Madison is one of the top universities in the U.S. I know you are proud of him, Suzanne; but be proud of yourself also for raising such a well-rounded young man. I hope we get a chance to see you at the August 11 HL Great Lakes club picnic at Wind Point this summer.

KTF, Barb

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ladylightkeeper

Suzanne and Patrick,
Congratulations to you both!!

Patrick, I have a nephew starting at the UW Madison this fall, with very much of the same interests and qualities of yourself. I do hope you can meet up.

It is great that Patrick has done so well in his high school years. I know how proud you are of him, Mom! Success stories are out there and we thank you for sharing yours with us.

Derith

Congratulations Patrick and Suzanne. Sounds like you've done well Patrick. Keep up the great job and enjoy college! Happy Birthday.

And good job to you as well Suzanne.

Rich

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Thanks to everyone for your best wishes and kind words! I am very proud of him.

Yes, Tim thanks for reminding me, I forgot to add that Patrick has played Violin in the school orchestra for the past 9 years. He has so many activities it is hard to remember them all.

The outside graduation ceremony went well and the weather cooperated. My 84 year old mother made it through the ceremony sitting in the bleachers, too. Luckily it wasn't too hot and sunny.

Yes, Mombo, Patrick enjoyed the lighthousing trips I took him on. He has agreed on the spur of the moment, to drive to Racine to see Wind Point Lighthouse decorated for Christmas, and to drive up the Lake Michigan shoreline of Wisconsin visiting lighthouses while on the way to another activity. I think what he enjoyed the most was finding the out of the way lighthouses that involved miles of driving on dirt roads and then wandering around until we found the lighthouse. But, most trips I also included other activities. One of our U.P. Michigan trips involved lighthouses, copper and lead mines, waterfalls, and hiking.

Suzanne