Getting Ready for High School

I took my niece to high school pre-orientation on Thursday. We'll go back this Thursday to register for her freshman classes. Wow...it's almost surreal. Just yesterday it seems she was the most precious six-year-old, cuddly up to read Dr. Seuss books with me or dancing around the living room to "Copacabana." Now, she won't even let me play disco in my own car! She grown into an intelligent, beautiful teenager. She's a little nervous, but she's ready. It's her aunt that's having problems. I'm not ready for her to grow up.

Her class brings in a whole new set of roles. Everything is changing. Maybe this has already happened in your state and you can shed some insight. Her GPA will matter much less; it will almost be meaningless. The ACT is it. That determines honors and high honors now. The number of high school credits has also increased; no more easy senior years. (Many seniors end their day early, around 1 p.m.)

My niece is a very talented flutist. (Not meaning to brag, but she's first chair at her middle school.) So, she'll be taking marching and concert band. She also has to take algebra, English, biology and health (yawn on the last one). She and I have some differences in the final two courses. I would like for her to take a public speeching class and perhaps a computer applications, as I feel those two skills will be needed regardless of what career path she chooses. We've got two weeks to hammer those out.

My niece never ceases to amaze me. She hasn't always been dealt a good hand, but she's played it very well. I worry cause she sometimes is shy and reluctant around others. While it's known to me as shyness, it could be interpreted by others as unfriendly. I know some of you have dealt with this and I would like your advice.

I guess I'll blink my eyes a few times and she'll be graduating college...at least I've still got her two little sisters who think Aunt A is pretty cool.