MILLBROOK — Perfect weather, big smiles and a chance to spend time with friends and family, the Millbrook High School (MHS) graduation ceremony was all anyone could hope for on Friday, June 24.
After the last two senior classes felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s graduates were overjoyed to be able to once again meet and greet in person and celebrate their accomplishments after spending senior year in relative normalcy.
The Class of ‘22 was able to partake in sports, band and extra-curricular activities, unlike the Classes of ‘20 and ‘21, both very much restricted by the health crisis and fears of the coronavirus spreading to not only the student body, staff and administrators but to the greater Millbrook community.
On the 24th, the expectant graduates, their friends and family all converged at the district’s Athletic Complex at 7 p.m. The familiar strains of Pomp and Circumstance played in the background courtesy of the Millbrook High School Concert Band under the direction of Band Director Daniel Dunninger.
The procession was led by Board of Education (BOE) President Perry Hartswick and Superintendent of Schools Laura Mitchell. The National Anthem was performed by students Collin Fuller and Nora Geldhoff.
The day’s program was led by Millbrook High School Principal Eric Seipp.
“This class is a special class, as I arrived at MHS during the beginning of your freshman year,” said Seipp, who joined MHS four years earlier.
He said earlier, “It has been a long, grueling journey, but they made it and I’m very proud of each of them.”
Seipp relayed three important pieces of advice to the 72 students: 1. “The hotter things become, the calmer you need to be”; 2. “Surround yourself with really good people”; and 3. “Look for joy, as joy surrounds us if we know where to look… It is all around.”
He then wished the class much joy in its future.
Retiring English teacher Frank Fiorenzo, who was voted by the student body to give the graduates a final message, said in his 25 years of teaching, it was “never about today, but about tomorrow.”
Salutatorian Molly McMorris said COVID had “set the world on fire” in her remarks.
“We are the phoenix of this world,” she said, adding the value of being curious, urging her fellow graduates to let their curiosity guide them through life.
Valedictorian David Sager related that he saw the freshman class as a box of Legos, each separate, but unique, all coming together at the end, creating something extraordinary. He also thanked family, friends, teachers, administrators and staff for their years of support.
The BOE’s Hartswick also addressed the class of ‘22.
“On behalf of the Millbrook Board of Education, we would like you to know how wonderfully proud we are of you and all of your achievements during your years at Millbrook,” he said. “There are few times in life when you’ll put as much work into a single accomplishment as you did for this. Be proud of yourself; we certainly are. Good luck in all you do and remember, wherever you go, go with all your heart… Confucius.”
A final message was given by the superintendent.
“Please leave knowing that we are all proud of you, impressed by you, care for you and believe in you,” said Mitchell. “Now go, lead, and of course, have fun!”
Members of Millbrook High School’s Graduating Class of 2022 celebrated earning their diplomas on Friday, June 24th, as the students marched onto the Athletic Compound for that evening’s graduation ceremony. Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe
Hats tossed high, along with high hopes for the future, Millbrook High School graduates enjoyed throwing their caps into the air, thrilled with having a normal graduation after dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for two years. Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe
Members of Millbrook High School’s Graduating Class of 2022 celebrated earning their diplomas on Friday, June 24th, as the students marched onto the Athletic Compound for that evening’s graduation ceremony. Photo by Judith O'Hara Balfe
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Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC