It has been a really tough year for our family, with losing David, and for Matt to not only gruaduate with honors, but to have been extended the honors and offers from various Law Schools that he has, (Penn State, American U, Pepperdine, San Diego State, and Uof Az, to name a few) across the country is an incredible feat of determination and a great example to me of perseverance. (He took the LSAT the day after his dad's funeral and still managed to get a 163 (a very good score) (thus--the offers). I think if those schools and others would have known that little bit of information they might have been impressed enough to offer him more.
He graduated Cum Laude (+3.6 GPA) and was awarded a medal as well for Leadership. (He has served, during his time at UVU as Assistant Student Body President to Joseph Watkins, and has had various other honors and positions, even on the national level with various Student comittees he has served on. This semester he has worked with Joseph on a comittee that works with the State Legistature to form (and reform) policy for Students and Colleges/Universities.
He has been very involved as a student as well as very engaged as a Political Science Major. (Ask Kelly--don't get him started talking politics and policy, unless you are prepared for a LONG conversation.) But---that is what it will take (being that engaged in the process) to get him through Law School and to continue on in the Law profession.
We are (and especially I, your Mother,) very proud of Matt and all he has achieved and look forward to watching him progress at Law School at University of Arizona. (Yes---he is going to the "Homeland" to attend school...so appropriate, eh?) (And Julia is THRILLED to have some family nearby, finally.)
I will miss having you and Kelly here, Matt, but I am thrilled and excited to see what you will accomplish the next 3 years ahead. And--I am as proud as any parent can be. I know your dad is SO pleased and proud as well, and that he has been with you through this past few months of preparation...(as you well know).
I love you, my son.
Seize the Day!
Pics:
The Proud Palfreyman Family: Me, Matt, Kelly, Grandpa and Janet:
Matt (in Center) Walking for graduation at Convocation:
Matt and Jonathan Tyler--Friends and Best buds--Born a day apart, (n the same hospital) they have been buds for 16 years (in the same neighborhood) married 1st cousins, and now graduated together on the same day. We celebrate their birthdays every year on Oct 12/13 at midnight at IHOP with family and friends. (Are you gonna make the trip for the celebration once you are in AZ?---We'll see, I guess.) So good to have close friends.
Mom's and sons, A proud day for us all: Becky and Jonathan Tyler, Matt & Denise Palfreyman:
Janet and Grandpa Palfreyman, Matt and I:
Janet, Granpa and Matt: Proud Grandparents!
The Graduates filing in to Commencement:
Caught Matt waving on the big screen (jumbo-tron), and thought immediately how much his dad would have enjoyed this moment. (then I burst into tears...):
Kelly's parents, (Cathy and Dave Loeper) and Matt & Kelly. Thanks for your support as well.:
Another shot of Proud Grandparents with Matty:
Proudest Mom in the world with her smart, handsome, hard-working son:
Another shot--better of me, not as good of him (ain't that always the way???)
Me, Matt, Grandpa and Janet: (Is G-Pa doing a fist-pump?)
Matty--(I think he looks a lot like his dad (in younger days) in this picture:.jpg)
Serious Matt: (A rare moment...JK):
Matt and Joseph Watkins (actually Joseph is from Heber, AZ. Served together in Student Govt. and this year on State Student Policy committee.)
Matt-former Assistant to SB President , Joseph--former SB President and next year's SB President, Joey) (Student Leadership x 3?)
Rhett: " OK...still looking pretty good---a little out of line, but not bad...(cleared the body on the snow...good...)"
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