Bye, Bye School. Hello Life!

By Veronica Love (age 17)

Who’dathunk, ten years ago, that the Family International would pull off not only a Ticketmaster class rock concert, but also a ‘Pretty in Pink”-class graduation ceremony and prom, with maybe a hint of “American Pie” thrown in. That’s exactly what happened this year at Wordstock III!

On the last day of Wordstock twenty high school graduates marched down an aisle in the midst of a crowd of nearly 300 in attendance, to receive diplomas in recognition of their faithful years of service to the paper and pencil, desk and chair, pupil and teacher, continually learning routine. Or at least that’s what I thought until Claire, Darren, and Esther (FED board Members) gave a motivating message that this is not the end of learning; we are continually learning something new everyday. This is just the beginning. Now instead of having class and books to teach us, we’ll have Life. Guest speakers, Anita, April, Johnny, and Seth, graduates from the Class of 2005, also gave some humorous morsels of knowledge for us to ponder.

While we were perched on stage, Niki Rudow, sang a song that she dedicated to the Graduating Class of 2006, titled ‘You Will Always Care for Your Own’, which was followed by cheers, shouts, chants, and clapping for the Graduates.

With faces blushed and blazing, some with happiness, others slightly embarrassed, we walked down the stage to about mid aisle and stopped. It was ‘hat toss’ time. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6′¦.0, blast off, and the place erupted again, shouts, cheers, etc.

To top it all off, there was a Prom.

It was almost like a real prom. Error. It was a real prom. With gowns, dresses, tuxes, suits, dancing, dates, and pictures.

To start it off, there were toasts (with sprite) in honor of the many people who had helped to bring this monumental event together.Which was followed by more songs of dedication to the Class of 06(It was a music camp right?) sung by Dulcinea and Kevin, with Aaron on guitar. Then the Graduates were each given a photo album that included a group shot, with the Class of ‘06 in full gown, and an individual picture, as well as a gold pen so we could go around and sign personal messages of love and endearment to our fellow comrades’ albums.

Then the Music started’¦.and the rest is history.

On behalf of the Graduates of 2006, I would like to thank the FED and JT boards, and the WOC for making this all happen. I know it helped me personally to realize that for all those years of self-discipline and learning I really did accomplish something, of course I already knew that, but it helped place it all into the annals of my personal history. So for all of you with your education years in front of you, there is a light at the end of the tunnel (Oh, and by the way, it looks a lot like the flashes of dozens of cameras.)