Class of 2009

Dawson graduated in the first ever graduating class of Desert Hill High School! He debated back and forth whether to switch to the new high school or finish up with most of his friends at Pine View. He took the road less traveled, and that has made all of the difference!

Dawson was asked to give the opening prayer at the graduation ceremony held in the new school's gymnasium. He also participated in a rap given in a talk by his good friend, Marcus Steed, who was senior class president. Dawson got to sit on the stand and stand in the congratuatory line and shake all of the hands of the graduates with the student body and senior class officers. He received this honor because he was seminary president.

At the awards night held earlier in the month he was awarded the Best Male Athlete of the year for his participation in Cross Country and Track and Field. He was the fastest long distance runner for the school this year. He was also given the award for Top Health Dept. Student of the Year, and Top Social Science Dept. Student of the Year. (He was chosen as Social Science Sterling Scholar this year) He received 3 nice medals to wear around his neck plus the Honor Society collar and the gold cords that hang for high GPA and he got an engraved silver watch for the Athlete award. (He had on more bling than some of those rappers wear!) Actually, he wouldn't wear all of the medals because he was so modest. What a humble boy!

Dawson's Seminary Graduation

Dawson graduated from Seminary on May 17, 2009, a Sunday evening. Since I've been in the Stake Young Women, I've planned these graduations and typed up the program for four years. It was fun to have Dawson graduate and be a part of it. Because he has served as Seminary Council President this year, he was asked by Pres. Davies to conduct. He wore his $15.00 DI suit that we had bought for his Sterling Scholar interview. He looked very handsome, and very much like a missionary (six months to go!) I bought him a Captain Moroni gold tie from Deseret Book for graduation which he wore. That will also work for his mission.

Many of his friends took part in the program sharing testimonies and performing musical numbers. It was a great night. Because I work with the stake youth, I really felt like I knew most of the graduates. What a great class!

Brother Seth King, who has been the Seminary Council advisor, shared some great advice with the graduates and I loved Pres. Marshall Topham's talk in accepting the graduates. He told the students that they will be asked many times in the next week or so "What are you going to be when you grow up?" He said that instead of answering with a noun, such as a nurse, a teacher, a fireman, etc., to answer with an adjective. I am going to be happy, successful, a person of integrity, a life long learner, etc. I loved this advice. Really, that is what counts most. We may be a successful Doctor or a rich lawyer, but what really makes the most difference in our lives is if we are happy! I actually shared this advice with students at Millcreek at the May student awards. Great advice! I hope that whatever we are, we are happy with who we are or are becoming.

Andrew's Honors Night

Andrew just finished up 9th grade at Desert Hills Middle School and has a perfect 4.0. The school held an honors night and received three prestigous awards. The first is for having a 4.0, the second is for having a high gpa and participating in at least two extra curricular programs. He did cross country in the fall and track and field in the spring. This was the Thunder award. Then he was given the Science department top student award. That is pretty cool to get that out of like 300 students in his class. With his hopes to become an engineer and Science Sterling Scholar as a senior, that is a great kick off towards that goal. Andrew thinks he got it because his science teacher likes to mountain bike like he does and his teacher actually got him the mountain bike races in which he did so well in. Whatever the reason, way to go Andrew!

Andrew also participated in the end of the year piano recital with Gloria Tunbridge and the final band concert. This may be his last year of both. We'll see what he decides in the fall. He has been our family's most promising musician.

Dawson Sterling Scholar

Dawson was chosen as Social Studies Sterling Scholar for Desert Hills High School. This was a great honor. We worked hard on his portfolio and he attended the Region Sterling Scholar competition. He did very well but did not place. He does receive a full scholarship to Dixie for being the school winner and he enjoyed the friendship of his fellow scholars from the Southern Utah region. Way to go!

Dawson's Graduation

Dawson will graduate from Desert Hills High School on May 21, 2009 at 10:00 am. The ceremonies will be held at the school in the gym. He will then leave at 1:00 for their school senior trip to Disneyland, Six Flags, and the beach in California. Woo hoo!! He has a 3.9 gpa and is headed to Dixie State College on an Academic Scholarship before heading out on an LDS mission in January 2010. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF HIM!

Flake Family Newsletter Update

Shelly making lots of Strawberry Jam with neighbor, Missy.

Andrew with hismetal helmet to keep the alians from knowing his thoughts (or something like that!)

May 2009

Hello Dear Flakey family members,

We wish you all a belated Happy Mother’s day and send our congratulations to the high school graduates: Murry Gibson, Rebecca Flake, Mariah Flake and Dawson Flake. Way to go!! We just spent our first mother’s day with Grandma Flake in many, many years. We do feel very spoiled to get her. Dan gave her a metal plate to go over the gutter across the street at the temple so she can walk right across the street to her temple assignment. I gave her some flowers to go with it.

Dan is very busy with his new Bishopric assignment. He is off to a great start and has already done the Primary Sunday presentation twice. The primary kids like him and his props. Sundays are way different than they were, but I guess we will get used to it. Dan is busy bidding on jobs and has a few lined up in Wyoming and hopefully more will come.

Dawson is counting the days to walk as a graduate. He has been busy with AP tests and is now ready to just sail. He and 5 friends went on a road trip up to Lagoon last weekend. They also went to the nickel arcade, Golden Corral, and caught the Mormon Tab Choir broadcast on Sunday morning. He is going on the Senior trip with his school to Disneyland, 6 Flags and the beach right after graduation. Then he better work to make some money for his mission! He is conducting Seminary graduation on Sunday night and has an honors night, Seminary graduation Stake Barbeque and a few other parties to attend to. He and Andrew are doing baptisms with the ward tomorrow night.

Andrew and Dawson enjoyed being on the track team this Spring. They ran the 800, mile and two miles races. Dawson just got the luck of the lottery to run the St. George marathon in the fall. 10,000 people apply and 7,200 get to do it. He better keep training. Andrew is working on a huge report and has a band and piano concert this week. Then life will wind down. He has been working with Dan and for the neighbors, too.

Danielle and Steve are busy with preparations for baby Alexa to arrive in June. Steve was also called to be in the bishopric of their ward in Portland. Danielle just put on a ward talent show and auction to raise money for camp for the yw as the activities director. They have made great friends there and they have a lot of fun with them.

We had a great visit with Lindsey on Mother’s day. It was such a treat to hear her voice and feel of her growth in the gospel. She loves her companion, Sis. Wong and they are having a lot of fun together. She is just reaching the one year mark on her mission. Welcome home to Sis. Meagan from Oklahoma!

We have been enjoying having Justin in town and he is planning on staying here and attending Dixie in the Fall. I am coaching him on his dating opportunities. He was up until 1:30 last night talking to a girl on the phone. This girl actually got up at 6:00 am and went and played ball with the boys. She may be a keeper. No pressure though.

I am busy winding down the school year and correcting lots of tests and papers. I am looking forward to having a little time off although I’ve signed up for some technology classes this summer. I am also looking forward to going to Portland to help welcome in the new arrival around June 19. I pulled my hamstring while sprinting and it is taking a very long time to heal. I don’t like being slowed down.

Well we hope everyone is over the flu and that you all are able to enjoy the beautiful May weather. Thanks to everyone who helped with Mom’s big sale!! Come and see us!

Love, Shelly, Dan and family

Excerpt from weekly letter to our Missionary

Hi Lindsey,

I hope that all is well with you and that it is getting a little warmer for you. Grandma sent another package. Did you get it yet?

We just went and saw Grandma Flake and talked to Gr. and Gr. Datwyler. Gr. Flake and Apryl are flying back to Tenn. On Tues. to sell a lot of Gr. stuff and pack the rest away. I am glad that she is liking it here enough to decide to stay. The first couple of weeks, she wasn’t so sure if she was going to like it.

Danielle will tell you that Steve got called as the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric today. He will be great. Dad did a good job today conducting fast and testimony meeting. It is our stake conf. next week. Dawson and I had a meeting and planned Seminary Graduation tonight. It will be a busy month for him.

So I got to judge Rebellette tryouts on Saturday. Kori called me the night before and a judge had fallen through. It was really fun. The girls were all cute and good dancers. It was pretty easy to pick the best 14 though. It made me think of you a lot. I’ve always enjoyed watching you dance. I didn’t know any of the girls. I guess that is good.

I’ve been limping around all weekend because I pulled my hamstring in the back of my left leg. Friday morning we had a teacher work day and we had a relay to start out. You know how competitive I am and so I gave it my all as I ran the 50 yard dash at full speed. Well, my mind remembered how to do it, but my legs weren’t quite ready to go that fast without warming up. My legs just died. I had to be carried back. I couldn’t even walk. So I have been using a heat pad and cold packs and I can walk now but just with a little limp because I can’t straighten out my leg all of the way. Oh well, I’ve got to get back in shape so I can be in the boy’s 5 k race for track on the 9th of May.

Do you need to buy a phone card or anything to talk to us on Mother’s Day? Please let us know what your plan is. We have church from 11:00 to 2:00 but can make other arrangements me if you need us to. We are excited.

How are your investigators coming? I’m glad that you are finding ways to teach people. Did you find some good tennis shoes? So have you been jogging daily? Don’t you get hurt, too.

Amy Williams and the Ashby’s say hi. We went to her wedding reception last night. It was beautiful. They had a live band and were having a lot of fun. A lot of people in church have been asking about you.

Have a great week and we will talk to you soon.
Love,
MOMMY