A Publication of Christian Schools International
|
Spring 2014
3
"Where did the time go?"
That question has got to be
on a list of top ten most frequently asked questions by par-
ents of graduating seniors. After all, in four short years they
have watched their children develop from preteen middle
school students to young adults. These four years have been
a blur of experiences that have produced warm hugs, star-
tling bumps, painful bruises, and wonderful times of ecstatic
joy, all experienced while traveling this fast-paced road from
childhood to adulthood.
College applications are now completed. Gifted athletes have
sent game film to colleges, hoping to continue their athletic
careers. Military recruiters have completed their conversa-
tions with those desiring the military to be their next chapter.
Students itching to enter the workforce have filled out their
job applications. Gap year students have clarity on how they
hope to serve during the next year. With graduation just
around the corner, hallway conversation is full of unabashed
expectations about the next chapter of the graduate's story.
The conversation rivals the excitement displayed when fami-
lies talk of their upcoming special vacation. There is no talk of
flat tires, engine trouble, or the potential potholes that create
havoc between home and the vacation destination. The only
talk is of how wonderful this next chapter will be.
This past February the local Grand Rapids media destroyed
some of this "What's next?" family conversation when it set
up shop in a large theater lobby to capture a big day for a
small number of high school football athletes. This happened
to be on the earliest day that those invited to play college
football could sign letters of intention. Having athletes signing
a letter of college intention is not new. What's new is where
and how this all takes place. Rather than signing the letter
while sitting at the kitchen table munching a bag of chips,
drinking a soda, and talking with one's parents, this signing
is done in a crowded theater lobby in front of cameras and
sports reporters while the rest of their high school graduat-
ing family is in class at school. I like college football as well
as anyone, but it feels as though this relatively new public
signing frenzy is tampering with the richness of the hallway
enthusiasm and buzz that has always made this time of the
year special for the high school community.
Maybe I'd feel better if there were a day set aside where all
upcoming graduates would go to a public place to celebrate
their next chapters. High school students receiving multiple
academic scholarships from multiple schools could sit in front
of cameras to publicly announce their college decision to
cheering college admission departments. All graduates enter-
ing the military could show up at a common place to sign up
for the military in front of government officials, rolling cam-
eras, and marching bands. The chamber of commerce could
sponsor a similar event where kids entering the workforce
could adorn hats from the company that has just hired them.
Gap year students could show PowerPoint presentations of
places they expect to visit and services they hope to provide
in the coming year.
If we want to maintain the richness of family getting ready
for the next chapter, I'm thinking it best to dial back all of this
public announcement activity. Let's limit the conversations to
school hallways and family living rooms so all can talk with
equal enthusiasm about their post high school, next-chapter
plans.
Whatever the buzz and enthusiasm created when students
talk of what is next for them, let's not forget what a spe-
cial time this is. This is a time when accomplishments are
marked, when friendships are celebrated, when parents sit
back and marvel at God's wonderful gift of children, and
when teachers begin to realize that the cherished memories
of nurturing and challenging these young adults are gradually
slipping into the rearview mirror.
This is the time when our prayers for our graduating chil-
dren's wellbeing increase in intensity. We know that hidden
behind the glow of their enthusiasm are far too many crooked
roads. We know that as they move forward into their future
there will be times when pain will produce more tears than
joy. We also know, however, that the Christian school and
the Christian home have worked together for this very time,
preparing children to leave high school while laying claim to
the truth that this world belongs to God. We rejoice knowing
that our graduates are willing to work to replace injustice with
justice, willing to straightening that which was crooked, and,
with God's help, willing to reclaim that which is broken so that
God's kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
Dave J. Koetje
President/CEO
Christian Schools International
This Is the Time
EDITORIAL