Tradition and Change

BFA Graduation 2011

There are moments where I find myself wondering how to explain or present an accurate picture of life at Black Forest Academy.  

In so many ways this place is very normal.  It is a high school and there are very normal high school moments every day (kids cramming for tests, listening to their ipods in between classes, complaining about too much homework etc.).  One can almost forget how very unique it is until…this year’s valedictorian is introduced as holding a Canadian passport, being ethnically Chinese, raised in Kyrgyzstan and is graduating from a school in Germany.  Or another student that won an award was introduced as ethnically Palestinian, born in Texas, family lives in Spain and has lived in Germany for the last few years.  Or you overhear a kid squeal that their parents are arriving today from China.  You almost need to pull out your map to fully understand the conversations you overhear of all the places that these kids will be this summer alone.  

2011 Valedictorian

Tradition is something that many in my generation and younger say they don’t like or don’t want to be bound to.  But tradition and ritual provide a sense of security and of belonging and for these kids whose worlds are forever changing and in perpetual transition the steadiness of tradition and ritual seem more important than at most high schools.  From a planned senior skip day, to award ceremonies, to graduation itself, to the blessings read over each graduate, to the dorm cheers, to families opening up their homes all night long for the seniors to hang out together one last time before they all say goodbye at the breakfast that ends the festivities, everyone seemed to be talking about the traditions that surround graduation at BFA.

I remember as a kid holding on tightly to certain family traditions that we had.  We may have been in different homes, states or even countries but those traditions helped provide some stability in the midst of change. Regardless of where we were some things stayed the same.  The same is true of these kids.  

 

Many of these kids are not just moving into a college dorm but putting an ocean and even more miles between them and their families and the familiar.  Many of them will be going back to their passport countries and will look like they fit in and yet will feel very much out of place.  Many are not sure what the next year(s) will look like. The speaker at graduation reminded us all that though most of us would love flashlights for the dark places and maps for the unknown paths – those things are not necessary as long as we know and trust the One we are following.  Real peace and joy come with that knowledge. 

The summer brings about many changes.  Many of my fellow colleagues left right after graduation – some will just be gone for the summer, some will be gone for a year while others are leaving for good.  The constant comings and goings of students and staff here is talked about often but I am now experiencing it firsthand.  In the midst of the goodbyes there are more changes happening this summer at BFA.  The elementary school (in a neighboring village) has been able to purchase another building that will give them room for their growing bilingual Christian school.  This move provides an opportunity for the middle school (that is currently on the same campus as the high school) to have a campus of their own.  So as of this fall BFA will have three campuses in three different communities.   I have been asked and have accepted the new position as middle school French teacher next year.   I will miss my high schoolers but am looking forward to this new role and what Jesus has for me in the year to come. 

The "new" middle school building

 In the midst of the traditions and the change I am thankful to be following One who is constant and steady in His love and faithfulness.