Graduation day -- Sarah gets her Masters!

[priller]

Sarah is Cindy's oldest daughter. She just got her Masters degree in mass communication on Friday night. She graduated from Texas State U at San Marcos, about an hour from Austin, so we made a day out of it. First we went to this little town called Gruene (pronounced "green"), and old German town that has some cute little shops and restaurants. All of Cindy's kids were there, plus some of their friends, plus Cindy's aunt and uncle, and even her ex-husband and his mother. Awkward, yes, but everyone was on their best behavior. Then it was on to the ceremony. (All photos taken with Nikon D80 and Tamron 17-55mm f/2.8 lens.)

Cindy, her daughters Sarah and LeAnne, and her son Nick. Sitting outside at the Gristmill restaurant in Gruene, with very strong sun coming in from the side. Made for tough exposure. I really should learn to use fill flash.




Cindy's son, Nick. I like this photo a lot.




LeAnne and her boyfriend, Shawn the fireman guy.




Sarah and her best friend, ever since they were kids, also named Sarah.




The main building in Gruene, now an antiques store.




It's Texas, you have to show the cowboy boots (inside the antiques store).




Graduation.




Sarah, after graduating, riding the bus back to the parking area. ISO 1600!!

[Eurobabe]

1. Congrats to Sarah!!! Job well done...

Mine just completed her first semester at Drexel for MA in Art Therapy/Counseling. It was grueling. She needs a break, but she managed to muster enough energy to celebrate her sister's 25th birthday at an Irish Pub in Philly on Friday nite.

Photo from their outing...not nearly as appropriate as your family pictures. LOL.

[priller]

4. I can see they're serious students

Ha ha! Seriously, they're beautiful girls and I know you're very proud of them.

BTW, what is "art therapy"?

[Eurobabe]

7. Cribbed this from Drexel, re: art therapy

The art therapist uses art as a medium to facilitate self-awareness, understanding and healing; for children, adults and geriatric patients.

"The curriculum integrates knowledge of art psychotherapy with current theoretical and practical approaches to assessment and treatment in such fields as mental health medicine and education. Didactic clinical and supervisory aspects of the program are balanced and integrated to provide a foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical application. The program is unique in that faculty members are art therapists and mental health professionals with an interest in the arts who can help students integrate the principles of art therapy with current mental health theory and practice."

http://www.drexel.edu/cnhp/art_therapy/about.asp

Kris, the oldest & the birthday girl, has been working since she got her BA in 2002. Unfortunately she just got laid off on her birthday, she'll have a job until end of March.

Meg is the younger one who is officially done with her first semester at Drexel. It was really tough she said...looking forward to time off. Nice thing about her program is when she is finished, she will be a licensed counselor and can practice with supervision for a period of years and then go out on her own.

And yes, I am very proud of them, they are a dyn-o-mite mix of brains and beauty. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Great people pix, both of you...

And congrats to the scholars.

[babylonsister]

3. Beautiful pics, and congratulations to Sarah! nt

[JeffR]

5. That last photograph is my favorite

Just the right combination of composition and emotional warmth that makes for a special portrait.

The two Sarahs shot is a close second; really captures their bond.

You have a real gift for people pics.

[priller]

8. Mine, too.

It was the last photo I took that day (around 200 shots) and I think it was my favorite, too. She was a happy girl.

[NashVegas]

6. Great Character Shots

Love 'em.