A New Start to the School Year...An Annual Event

The first day of school.

That phrase brings back early memories of a smocked dress, 6 newly sharpened chubby pencils and the smell of a new jar of school paste. By the time I reached my teen years, it was prior weeks of thought that went into the perfect outfit so I could convince myself (and hopefully others) that I had matured over the summer. The first day of school in college was the prospect of new experiences in a campus setting and as an educator, it has been many years of looking ahead to influence youth as they expand their minds, stretch themselves and experience possibilities rich to transform lives.

As I start another school year, I think about calculating how many “first days of school” I’ve experienced. After a moment I decide I won’t like the number as it will be too large for my mind to reconcile compared to how I feel. My mind moves on quickly to what this year may bring.

Immediately I think of the students I will get to see in the next week. Our school is in the midst of an unprecedented admission season and enrolled a record number of students, each with their own unique stories. After a summer of admission tours showing empty classrooms, I am eager to see the students and their excitement as they come back to see their old friends and meet new ones.

The first day doesn’t disappoint. Students appear on time or even early with eager faces looking for those they know. They laugh with each other as they enter the commons to pick up schedules. I am filled with a sense of satisfaction knowing that there are students who have yet to experience an environment they cannot imagine that will change the trajectory of their lives.

But yet, there are those who are missing in these halls. A group of 52 students who walked the campus last year as seniors and in these next few weeks will go back to the bottom of the pecking order as freshmen on their college campuses. My heart aches a bit as they will be missed. My heart is also filled with joy as I know that if they follow those who preceded them that they are ready for this next phase and I will see them when they come back on campus during their first visit home. They will make a point to connect with those who mattered in their lives.

I was blessed to be the Baccalaureate speaker for the Class of 2015 and my hope is that they launch well. My words to them at the Baccalaureate service run through my mind and I pray they will perhaps remember a part of the message they heard.

• Face your fears in order to grow
• Embrace failure as it is the secret to finding success
• Seek out faith as it is the way to know God

Godspeed to all students, staff and parents, and alumni as you experience a new year ahead.

*Lisa McGuire serves as the Director of Admission at King’s Ridge Christian School located at 2765 Bethany Bend, Alpharetta, Georgia 30004. For more information on King’s Ridge, visit www.kingsridgecs.org or contact Admissions at 770.754.5738