Post-Grad Activities

After the ceremony, we had a reception in the gym for families, teachers, and seniors to mingle and have a bite to eat.

Around 6:30pm, we boarded a bus for our last trip as a class (though it was only a 15 minute ride, it still brought back memories of our other trips).

The bus took us to Weil am Rhein, where our Rhine cruise awaited us. The cruise is just a chance for the seniors to have one last time all together, hanging out and relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Some of the guys even got to drive the boat for a bit!

After the cruise, we came back to the student center. Sponsors were in charge until midnight, at which point we released the seniors to the streets of Kandern to roam and do as they pleased. During our time in the student center, we brought Russ Kraines in to talk to the kids. He’s the Worldviews teacher, so he normally gets to know the senior class very well and likes to give them a bit of transition advice. This year he was diagnosed with cancer, so he has been out of the classroom. It was a special treat to have him come and talk with us. You can read about his journey through cancer here. 

After he told his story about having a meltdown in the Oreo aisle after transitioning back to the US, the kids wanted more stories, so sponsors and students shared various bedtime stories, dreams, and other various entertaining things. It was almost like a family time; I realized that classes at BFA become close enough to be brothers and sisters for each other. Boarding students are away from their real families, so they become family for each other.

At midnight, I went home to sleep, but the seniors stayed up all night. Most of them grilled some meat that a dorm dad had donated up at a campfire above town. I’m proud of the seniors for behaving and spending their last hours together well, even after they were no longer under our supervision. I’m praying that they will all continue to make wise choices as they head off to college.