Congratulations to Candace on her graduation from CK McClatchy High! I'm sure Mama Yo is still beaming today! 
from today's Sacramento Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/213422.html
A proud moment for a mother Monarch
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:36 am PDT Saturday, June 9, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Yolanda Griffith beamed Friday after the talk of basketball subsided and she revealed her evening plans.
"It's Candace's big night," the Monarchs center told assistant coach Steve Shuman.
Yes, the Monarchs' little girl has grown up. Candace Griffith graduated Friday from McClatchy High School, taking a big step into the world with her mother beside her.
"It's a great accomplishment," said Yolanda Griffith, 37. "She worked hard in school. I'm proud of her. This is a pretty special moment."
And it's a moment shared by Monarchs players, including some who have retired or gone to other teams. Candace, 17, has been a Monarchs mainstay since her mom was drafted by the team in 1999. She became as much a part of the organization as any player, guard Kara Lawson said.
"She has a unique relationship with every player who has come through here," Lawson said. "I remember when I first got here, she would come on all the trips. Now she doesn't. She has her own friends."
But she still has all her "aunts," which is how many of the players view themselves.
"We're always grilling 'Yo' about (Candace's) social life and trying to scare away the young men," Lawson said with a smile.
Griffith said many of her former teammates have checked in on Candace over the years.
"They say, 'You got a boyfriend?' They ask her all the things I would ask Candace," Griffith said.
Guard Ticha Penicheiro said she still can't believe Candace is a high school graduate. Penicheiro said she recently flipped through a photo album and was struck by the idea that the little girl in the pictures now drives and is headed to college.
"Seeing her blossom into a woman is incredible," Penicheiro said. "It makes me feel old."
Griffith said she would host a graduation party for her daughter later this month because graduates had access to a limited number of tickets to Friday's ceremony. For now, she is relieved the Monarchs did not play a game the same day as Candace's graduation.
Griffith missed her daughter's eighth-grade graduation because the Monarchs had a home opener that day. It was a sacrifice Griffith said she would not have made again.
"I'm going to be there," Griffith said earlier this season.
Fortunately, the Monarchs' schedule was arranged so Griffith didn't have to choose. After beating Seattle 81-72 Thursday night at Arco Arena, the Monarchs (5-2) host Phoenix tonight.
Forward Rebekkah Brunson said it has been a pleasure to watch Candace grow up.
"It takes a community to raise a child, and there are great people around her," Brunson said. "Her presence -- you can tell she was raised by a great family."
Griffith has had help from more than just her franchise family. Six years ago, her sister moved to Sacramento to help rear Candace, making it easier for the teen to stay home while her mother traveled with the team during summers. Now, Griffith says Candace appears ready to stand on her own feet.
"I hope I did a good job raising her into the woman she is," Griffith said.
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from today's Sacramento Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/213422.html
A proud moment for a mother Monarch
By Melody Gutierrez - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:36 am PDT Saturday, June 9, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Yolanda Griffith beamed Friday after the talk of basketball subsided and she revealed her evening plans.
"It's Candace's big night," the Monarchs center told assistant coach Steve Shuman.
Yes, the Monarchs' little girl has grown up. Candace Griffith graduated Friday from McClatchy High School, taking a big step into the world with her mother beside her.
"It's a great accomplishment," said Yolanda Griffith, 37. "She worked hard in school. I'm proud of her. This is a pretty special moment."
And it's a moment shared by Monarchs players, including some who have retired or gone to other teams. Candace, 17, has been a Monarchs mainstay since her mom was drafted by the team in 1999. She became as much a part of the organization as any player, guard Kara Lawson said.
"She has a unique relationship with every player who has come through here," Lawson said. "I remember when I first got here, she would come on all the trips. Now she doesn't. She has her own friends."
But she still has all her "aunts," which is how many of the players view themselves.
"We're always grilling 'Yo' about (Candace's) social life and trying to scare away the young men," Lawson said with a smile.
Griffith said many of her former teammates have checked in on Candace over the years.
"They say, 'You got a boyfriend?' They ask her all the things I would ask Candace," Griffith said.
Guard Ticha Penicheiro said she still can't believe Candace is a high school graduate. Penicheiro said she recently flipped through a photo album and was struck by the idea that the little girl in the pictures now drives and is headed to college.
"Seeing her blossom into a woman is incredible," Penicheiro said. "It makes me feel old."
Griffith said she would host a graduation party for her daughter later this month because graduates had access to a limited number of tickets to Friday's ceremony. For now, she is relieved the Monarchs did not play a game the same day as Candace's graduation.
Griffith missed her daughter's eighth-grade graduation because the Monarchs had a home opener that day. It was a sacrifice Griffith said she would not have made again.
"I'm going to be there," Griffith said earlier this season.
Fortunately, the Monarchs' schedule was arranged so Griffith didn't have to choose. After beating Seattle 81-72 Thursday night at Arco Arena, the Monarchs (5-2) host Phoenix tonight.
Forward Rebekkah Brunson said it has been a pleasure to watch Candace grow up.
"It takes a community to raise a child, and there are great people around her," Brunson said. "Her presence -- you can tell she was raised by a great family."
Griffith has had help from more than just her franchise family. Six years ago, her sister moved to Sacramento to help rear Candace, making it easier for the teen to stay home while her mother traveled with the team during summers. Now, Griffith says Candace appears ready to stand on her own feet.
"I hope I did a good job raising her into the woman she is," Griffith said.
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