The Making of an NHCS Graduate

May 14, 2010. This afternoon, I had the pleasure of joining several of our teachers and our guidance counselor to hear our high school seniors deliver an oral presentation. As a graduation requirement, NHCS high school seniors must complete 160 hours of community service, collect a portfolio of significant work from their high school careers, perform a leadership project, write and present the highlights from a research paper on a selected profession, and orally present these materials to a panel of faculty members. Several also completed an internship with a local business-an internship that often serves to re-shape what students "think" they want to do with their lives. This is the first year we required an oral presentation from the students about their experiences.

The experience of hearing the students deliver them was remarkable. As I listened to them talk, I found myself thinking, "Oh, how I wish all NHCS parents could hear these young men and women speak." The maturity-both spiritually and emotionally-was overwhelming. The worldview they possess was even more overwhelming. For this reason, I'd like to recount some of their comments for you here. I pray you are as blessed by them as I was.

"My time at NHCS has taught me to think about more than just today," commented one senior. "I've been challenged to think about the type of wife and mother I want to become, and to think about the type of family I want to have. I've also been challenged to consider what I can do right now in order to become that person," she said.

In response to a question about how a Christian worldview might affect these students' practices in the professions to which they aspire, this same student commented, "I want to be an art teacher. Even if I teach in a public school, my faith must make a difference in the way I teach. I need to be a good teacher, and I need to treat my students fairly, kindly, and with compassion. I may not be able to talk about my faith there, but I'll be able to show it to them."

A second student, who has interest in film editing, used his high school leadership project to create a media presentation for a local retirement home, documenting the history of the home and the lives of the residents. "It meant so much to them," he said, "I guess being a Christian in the workplace is partly just doing things that make other people feel good."

Another student commented, "I want to go into journalism. I see my Christian worldview impacting not only what I write, but how I write it. I cannot try to 'hype' up what I write to make a good story, but need to report the truth honestly, accurately, and without slander or unkind words."

It is clear that seven of the seven seniors will be going into the ministry. Perhaps they are called to teach, to a career in music, or to auto mechanics. But, I am confident that each and every one will of them will be a minister in their respective callings.

One senior feels a special call to church ministry." I want to be a youth pastor," he said. "When I went on the NHCS missions trip to Costa Rica, I realized that I love working with young people. And they need Jesus."

What kind of eighteen year olds talk like this? And, besides being well-grounded and able to apply biblical principles to their futures, did I mention these students' hearts for service? In my experience, rising freshmen typically see the NHCS service requirement as unobtainable or difficult. When I asked this year's class if this is how they viewed it when they were freshmen, they said, "Yes but, looking back, it was easy!" I was astonished to realize that nearly every single one of this year's graduates has far exceeded the 160 hours of community service required to graduate. Several have upwards of 300 hours logged; others have so many hours that they quit tracking them after they logged enough to fulfill the requirement.

"This year, I worked with some of the special needs kids who are involved in Upward Basketball," one student commented. "It was an amazing experience that literally changed my life. I wish I had started it earlier."

Another commented, "I have always had a heart full of compassion. As a result, I've often chosen the 'wrong' friends in an effort to help them. In the last couple of years, I have funneled that compassion into helping people at Rowan Helping Ministries. I often see people who I have served out and about in the community. The man to whom I gave his only coat. The child who ate his only meal of the day, and I served it. It's been an amazing experience."

Two quieter but very bright seniors were impacted by their high school experiences, too. One noted, "I started out thinking I wanted to be a pharmicist. Then I took Chemistry! Now, I'm not sure exactly how I will major, but I have learned that I want to follow my passion, which is music. So, I'll at least pursue a music minor." Another noted, "This year and last year, I was able to take elective classes in Auto Mechanics at RCCC through the Huskins program. It helped me realize that I really enjoy working with my hands. I plan to pursue a degree that will provide the training needed to go into auto mechanics."

This afternoon, I was reminded of what a blessing it has been to serve these high school seniors. Seven very different young people with very different interests, academic achievements, and life aspirations. Some are truly scholars of the first degree--students who have been accepted at multiple colleges and universities where they will receive significant scholarships. Others may graduate by the skin of their teeth! They range in age from sixteen to nineteen, and they come from very different homes. Each student has very different interests, achievements, and backgrounds. But, each with so many wonderful things in common: Maturity. A biblically-grounded worldview. A bond of friendship. Preparedness for college and beyond. And, most importantly, a walk with the Lord. I am profoundly thankful for the teachers at NHCS, who the Lord uses as tools to help prepare graduates like these. May He richly bless you, Catherine, Spenny, Kristen, Patrick, Daniel, Dustin, and Sarah--the NHCS class of 2010.