We had it all this weekend

What a weekend. The weather was beautiful. The Strawberry Festival filled the streets for three straight days. There were graduations, and then the Memorial Day celebrations on Monday. First, start with the weather. Think back on all of the crappy Memorial Day weekends we have had in past years. You will never find a weather weekend any better than what we just had. I talked to a business owner on Main Street and she said the festival was great for her store. Even if they didn't buy anything, she said, people still came in and looked around. Some businesses close their doors for the weekend. Others stay open and try to cash in on all of the people walking through town. Either you are all in or you are all out. It appears most of the businesses in town were all in. Congratulations to all of the Norwalk Jaycees and everyone who was involved in the festival. It takes a lot of time and work — thank you. I was lucky enough to cover a pair of graduations on Sunday — Willard at 1 p.m. and St. Paul at 3:30 p.m.. If Mother Nature was still in school, she would have received an A-plus with her diploma. I still think graduation day might just be the best day of the year. At Willard, I did not personally know one of the graduates. But the feeling never changes when you hear the speeches and see the young men and women walk across the stage. I was sitting in the stands next to the stage and the woman sitting next to me told me to get ready. When the young man they were there to see got his diploma the people around me went wild. Graduations are great for the students, but just as important to the parents and families. "Thank you to everyone who has been there along the journey for both myself and my class, including friends, family, teachers, school faculty and many, many others." Willard salutatorian Bryce Dials said. "I would like to thank my incredible family for their continuous support, for helping me grow as an individual, and for keeping me alive to make it to graduation. "I would also like to personally thank my teachers for being so supportive and understanding. I truly believe that Willard is blessed to have such devoted, bright teachers who care so much about our education, but more importantly, about us as people. Thank you, and congratulations to the class of 2023; best wishes as you pilot your new adventure." St. Paul salutatorian Zoey Hay said it was a team effort. "When I came to St. Paul four years ago, I didn't really know what to expect," she said. "During my first year here, I was able to create some wonderful friendships, but as COVID came around, relationships were harder to carry on. In reality, I took what I had for granted. "We have teachers and administrators that genuinely want to watch us succeed," Hay added. "They will go out of their way to help us out when they see fit and they create a relationship with their students to help them to thrive after their time at St. Paul. I have been given countless opportunities to grow in my faith and leadership, which is an attribute that makes the St. Paul environment so unique. Hay said something she has learned is that our lives are often formed by the people we surround ourselves with. "I would like to thank all of the people who have gotten us to where we are today," she said. "This includes not just our classmates and teachers, but classes who have graduated before us and who will graduate after us, the people from schools in our surrounding communities, our coaches, and most importantly the family members who have supported us through this entire journey. "We couldn't have done it without all of you." That is what it is all about. Our daughter Megan and I were invited to a graduation party on Monday for Madi Lawson, who we coached in seventh- and eighth-grade basketball at St. Paul. The Lady Flyers won the Firelands Conference title both years, but more importantly Megan and I had the opportunity to help young girls grow both as athletes and people. Madi's grandmother told me how much she appreciated the time and effort I put in to help Madi with her confidence — not about basketball, but about making her a better person. That time working with the girls made me a better person. What a weekend. Joe Centers is Reflector managing editor. He can be reached at jcenters@norwalkreflector.com.