Summer, 2008

School is over for the year and the campus is quiet, and as I reflect on the last three weeks of the school year, I am vividly reminded of some wonderful 'defining moments.'

Several events took place on and off the campus that defines what Ygnacio Valley Christian School is all about.

On Friday and Saturday, May 23-24, close to 500 people saw the musical, “Good Kings Come In Small Packages,” directed by YVCS Choir teacher, Mrs. Ilyn Kagawan. What a 'defining moment' as parents rose to the cause of making costumes and backgrounds. Word has it that some 100 plus children are already talking about who is going to be the “good king” next year!

Then on Tuesday, May 27th, the YVCS Band gave a magnificent concert to about 200 people in the Dean Lesher Regional Arts Theater in Walnut Creek, under the direction of the YCVS Band Director, Maestro Dan Vigus. Again, what a 'defining moment' as parents rallied to help load and unload equipment and supported this annual event. An extra feature was the performance of the Jazz Band, made up of both home school students and YVCS students. Woody Herman, “eat your heart out!”

Thursday evening, June 5th, eighteen 8th Graders graduated in a beautiful ceremony held in the Concord Bible Church here on campus. Three young ladies had been chosen as class speakers because of their academic standing and their Christian character. Rachel Fulton began by stating that YVCS is one big family that comforts in a time of need. Rachel is a vibrant young lady who has had cancer surgery and said, “you never know how God will use us to touch others' lives. In the same way, each and every one of you have touched mine.” What a 'defining moment' as God has worked and continues to work in her life and lives of students and school staff, other cancer patients and their families, and medical staff.

Karley Menez shared how the faculty and staff have encouraged and had a godly influence to help make her and her classmates into people God wants them to be. She reminded her classmates that making wise choices about new friends was very important. She also referenced the safe environment of YVCS and the wonderful nurturing she received from the teachers and staff. She closed by advising her classmates to stay true to God, family and friends; and to live their lives by no other standard than the Bible.

Jessica Untalan's remarks to her fellow graduates were essentially the words of Almighty God to His servant Joshua (1:7), “Be strong and courageous, be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” She further challenged her classmates to always remain faithful to their Lord and Creator Who has remained ever faithful and strong for them.

Here is a wonderful 'defining moment' of the kind of precious young people we have the privilege of educating year after year. God is using His Word, their parents, their local church and YVCS to fashion them into the person He desires them to be.