It's a Family Tradition

I feel that I need to brag on my cousin, Colton. This past week he officially "graduated" from 8th grade. He was the Salutatorian for his class this year. His older brother Brandon, was salutatorian for his 8th grade class as well, three years prior. (I was the valedictorian of mine, just sayin'; ha!)

I can't express how proud I am of these two boys.They have been such a joy to me since the day they were each born.

Colton (and Brandon) was awarded the Lamar Jones award as well at school. This is also a great honor, because it is an award that the faculty votes on due to the character of the student. My brother Brad received this award as well when he was in 8th grade. I can't claim that I received this award due to the fact that my sister-in-law, Nicole edged me out for that one!

These boys are such well behaved, smart, good boys who I know are going to grow up to be awesome men one day. I still can't believe that Colton will be in high school next year and Brandon will be a senior! It still seems like I should be their age and they should be Barrett's age.

Now Brandon is going off on dates and to the prom.

And one day soon, they will be journeying off to go to college and begin their adult lives. I'm glad that the family tradition of getting good grades is alive and well. However, there are probably a few that don't need to be repeated. Wink, wink.

The boys' father, Gary Wayne (my 1st cousin), my brother Brad, and I all went to Chipola {Junior, when we were there} College in Marianna, FL. I graduated from Chipola Magna Cum Laude, the boys on the other hand....not so much. In reality, I did a lot of goofing off and probably would have graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors if I had tried. I really thought Brad was the inspiration for them to turn Chipola into a 4 year college, because that was how long he was there! (Love ya B-rad)  You see, Chipola is our area's equivalent to grades 13 and 14. Pretty much all of my friends all went to Chipola after high school. So imagine a bunch of friends, going to school- with no one to make you go to class. Yeah, the temptations were much too great. I would tell some of my exploits, and Brad's as well, but I know my mother reads this and I just can't be giving all my secrets away. Ha!!

However, the reason for this post is to share a story about my cousin's exploits and to give a shout out to Colton-Lolton.

There is a Blountstown native who writes an outdoor/wildlife blog (Outdoors Down South) and he shared a story about my cousin Gary Wayne and his adventures one day while skipping school at Chipola.

Let's just say this story is told quite often in the Purvis household and we have teased Gary Wayne about this story for years. Go check it out!

The Chipola Frog Odyssey ~ By: Jim McClellan

Really makes me miss my days at Chipola and the impromptu trips to the Chipola River when I was supposed to be in class. Granted none of my friends hauled their boats behind their trucks every day to school like GW did, so let's just say we made a BIG effort when we skipped class. Ha!

I hope that Brandon and Colton may choose to go to Chipola one day and experience all that place has to offer. I don't regret going for one second and wouldn't trade those last two years with all my friends together in one spot for anything!