Principal's Pen - May 2023

Few institutions get excited about losing 25 percent of their population every year, but Berean Christian High School is one of them. We prefer the term “launching” to “losing” when we’re talking about students graduating from our school. “Launching” captures the essence of the work we do, along with Christian churches and families, to prepare young people to leave home and live for Christ. Berean has been “launching” students into the world for 54 years, which means there are Berean alums in their seventh decade of life. Because there are graduates in their seventies, we can genuinely evaluate the school’s role in spiritual formation and the effectiveness of our mission “to develop lifelong followers of Christ.” With some recent survey data, we’ve found that a substantial majority of our alumni believe their faith is more robust for having attended Berean. And that trend must continue with every class that “launches” into the world from our school. 

But launching does not mean alums do not come back to the school. In fact, many Berean graduates return to the school to teach, coach, and launch students themselves. Berean alums are also invited to visit the school at various points throughout the year, including sporting events such as the homecoming football game and during seasonal musical theater and choir events. During this year’s Spring Concert, an event dedicated to our retiring choir director, Natalie Hazelrigg, more than 80 alumni were in attendance. And while social media and word of mouth are fantastic ways to get the word out to our alums about upcoming events and opportunities to connect with old friends and teachers, what is really needed is a Berean Alumni Association. For a Berean Alumni Association, an institution purposed to cultivate lifelong bonds and friendships among classmates, would be a tremendous encouragement and support for the past and present school community. 

As you’ll read about in Bob Fry’s article, Watch with Me, in this month’s newsletter, Berean Christian High School is committed to launching an Alumni Association very soon, and all alumni are invited to help. Undoubtedly, the organization will benefit every Berean alum, including those from the class of 2023 who will be “launched” into the world at their graduation ceremony at the end of May. 

May God bless you and your family!

Nicholas Harris

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