My Trip to Brigitte's Graduation

Just a short time ago my sister Brigitte Blom Ramsey's chest fell with a sigh of relief as finals ended and her career as a Bachelors student at Northern Kentucky University came to an end.

On May 7th, 2005 at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio Brigitte found herself in an unfamiliar situation. Standing in a black gown and shoulder to shoulder with her classmates pride in her accomplishment began to swell inside of her as she began to realize how very unique her accomplishment is. While every graduate should be proud knowing that less than 25 percent of adults in the USA earn a Bachelors degree or higher, Brigitte felt an extra sense of accomplishment knowing that she had found the determination to return to university 11 years after leaving. Brigitte's pride in herself had to grow stronger as she thought that while also a student she is the mother of four young children, elected member of the Pendleton County School Board, and wife. Did my sister's thoughts also remind her that she was receiving not simply a Bachelors or a double major, but, two degrees? Did she also feel proud of the 4.0 GPA she achieved in her last semester and her 3.3 cumulative GPA? I don't know. But, I do know that those of us attending the 33rd Annual Commencement Exercises of Northern Kentucky University on that day felt tremendous pride in Brigitte as she walked up to receive her degrees. I know that tears filled our eyes as we recalled in our own minds the obstacles Brigitte conquered to be here as a member of the graduating class.

The commencement and celebration of Brigitte's graduation from college was the motivating factor in my visit to Kentucky this May. My visit turned into a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with all types important people in my life. From my grand parents, parents, sisters, nephews, and niece to my grade school principal aunts uncles and a friend I've had since grade school I seemed to meet almost everyone on this trip.

Below are some of the pictures from my visit.

(May 6th - 12th, 2005)

I got a quick shot of Brigitte as the photographer from the Enquirer was taking pictures of her.	There was a surprising number of international students attending NKU (Northern Kentucky University). Each nations flag with at student at NKU had their flag carried in by a student from that country.	There is my sister Brigitte. She is the short one. She is fifth from the right.	Brigitte was featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer for her achievements at NKU. This photographer followed her around before and during the commencement exercises.
	Mr. and Mrs. Herring. Mr. Herring is the Principal at Nativity in Pleasant Ridge Ohio. I remember him teaching me to spell Principal when he was my Principal. I believe it was, "a prince who is your pal".	Grandpa and Grandma Lonnemann and I at Villa Madonna in Villa Hills Kentucky.	My grandfather Lonnemann.
My grandmother Lonnemann. My Grandfather took this picture.	Me and my Grandmother Lonnemann. My Grandfather took this picture.	Chris, my friend since grade school, Jenny, Julia and I went to Kenwood Towne Centre for dinner and a little window shopping. I remember this mall as a teenager. Much of it hasn't changed.	My long time friend Chris, his wife Jenny, their daughter Julia, and I went to Build a Bear.
Julia kisses the heart that will go in the fog.	Stuffed and ready for washing.	Julia watches her Dad wash the frog with excitement.	Time for a name. They decide to name the frog, Eric D. Croaker, what an honor for me!
What a cute little girl.	I thought this was an interesting face. I wonder what Julia will think of it when she is 13.	Jenny. Caught off guard. But, still a good profile of her.	Julia is such a cute little girl. It may look like she has a lot of energy, but, she was just about to crash and go to bed as it was after 9 PM.
One last glamor shot before settling in.	This was the best shot I got out of my attempt at photographing lighting. The problem was that most of the lighting was inter-cloud and not ground to cloud. The lights left of center mark the northern bank of the Ohio river as seen from Villa Hills KY.	Mack at bat. He hit a double! Go Mack.	My nephew Cole and Midas.
	Ariel, my niece. Molly, my sister, and her dog Midas.

Click on a thumbnail above to see a larger version of the picture.

The pictures in this gallery were taken with a Nikon D70 Digital SLR camera. Any use of these pictures without permission from the photographer is strictly prohibited. Email me to request permission to use any of these pictures or if you would like a higher resolution version.

Last updated: 5/24/05