To the Class of 2009

Dear Senior,

The day has finally come. The tests have been passed. The invitations have been mailed. The caps and gowns are on and the crowds have gathered. All that awaits now is that famed walk across the stage, a handshake from a few of your mentors and the long awaited turn of a tassel. And then life begins, right?

For the class of 2009, this over generalization would be a handicap. Grouping all of the wonderful accomplishments you all are destined to have as “life” would severely lessen each of your individual potential. As the dust settles and the air clears, I feel certain that the CCS graduating class of 2009 will not only be remembered for the time you graced these halls (and learning cottages, whatever that means), but, more importantly, for the oncoming impact you will have on the outside world. For this class possesses the dexterity and flexibility to tackle any obstacle, achieve any goal, and raise any bar. You will not be passing a proverbial baton, for the succeeding class is not even in the same race. In the same way, neither were any of the classes that have gone before you. This is the year of precedent. This is the class of excellence. This is the CCS benchmark and you are the elite group of young adults who deserve the highest accolades. You are the class of 2009.

From top to bottom or from Roger to Brand (I mean tallest to shortest), however which way this class is grouped, the light shines through. Whether it be the warmth of Roger's smile or the spark of Destiny's wit, whether it be the sparkle in Chelsey's eye or the kind gesture of Jon, whatever it might be, each of you possess some innate quality that separates you from your peers. As teachers, it is a privilege to have the opportunity to invest in such a diverse cross section of young people—young people from different backgrounds who will no doubt have equally different futures.

And as today marks the beginning of the future, there are certain realizations that must be made. You see, the torch that you all bear does not only carry the remnant of all of those who have impacted you. You carry something much brighter, a brilliant spectrum of color that surpasses any other before it. Your light is so bright that those you come into contact with may not be able to comprehend it.

“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:1-5 NIV
Herein lies the dilemma. Your brightness, your crystal clarity as young people, and, more directly, as young Christians, is going to be challenged. The “darkness” should not understand you. You should live a life that exposes that which has remained hidden by mediocrity. You should be like a light set on a hill, as others are drawn to the splendor of Christ in you. Do not let the mishaps and mistakes of everyday life dull the majesty of what lies inside each of you. Never allow who you currently think you are to stop you from achieving who it is you want to be. It has been my honor to know each of you and I promise to bathe you all in prayer. Play hard, pray long, stay strong and love much.

Your teacher and friend,
Trey Sheneman