The end of the year feels like one party after another. This year was no exception. We had lots of banquets and lots of celebrations to attend. Although it kept me busy I really enjoyed it all. I thought I'd share a few pictures of some of the parties to give you a little feel for what the end of the year was like.
8th Grade Banquet:
This year the 8th grade banquet was held at a hotel in Bandung. The students enjoy getting dressed up. It's their special night. Parents, teachers, and friends come to support them as they celebrate their middle school years and look to the transition up to high school. As part of the evening we ate a delicious dinner, watched a slide show of pictures, and listened as the parents shared a little someone about each of the students.
Some of the 8th grade boys looking sharp in their suits.
Me (on the far left) with some of the high school girls who came to support brothers and sisters in 8th grade. On the far right is Charity who served as our Elementary and Middle School principle this year.
The 8th grade class along with Aaron Summers, their homeroom teacher this past year. Aaron took the kids to the beach for the weekend the days following the banquet and they had a blast together.
Roommate Celebration:
At the end of the year two of my roommates left Bandung to move on to other places. One night we planned to get dressed up, go out to eat together at a nice restaurant, and then attend the spring drama that the high schoolers were putting on. However, Jennie and Emma surprised Molly and I that night. They had arranged for us to spend the night at a local hotel and had even managed to get all of our stuff to the hotel without us knowing. It was a special treat and a great time together before we each went our separate ways.
Jennie, Emma, and Molly
Me with Emma and Molly
The four of us attempting to get one of all of us.
The high schoolers put on the play "Little Women." They worked really hard and did a great job. I laughed a lot throughout the play... very fun to watch.
Senior Banquet:
This year's senior banquet theme was "Black and White". You'll certainly notice that when you look at these pictures. :) It actually made for a lot of fun shots as we all seem to be matching with each other. The banquet was held at a beautiful hotel in Lembang, with a great view of the city below. We enjoyed dinner and a time to honor and celebrate each senior. The juniors are in charge each year to put on the banquet. This year's juniors worked all semester and did a great job. It was a beautiful and bittersweet night as we said goodbye to the senior class.
Charity and I with a beautiful sunset behind us.
Me with two of my roommates, Molly and Jennie.
Me with one of my students, Caris.
The senior class.
It's a small class of only 9 students. They are quite close with each other. The juniors had planned for everyone to wear black and white and the seniors to wear color but somehow their theme didn't work out exactly how they imagined it would.
The junior class, who had worked so hard to put on the event.
Me with two of our teachers, Kelly and Charity, at dinner.
Me with two other friends I sat with- Valerie Lewis (whose brother was one of the seniors) and my roommate Molly.
A picture from above of the banquet hall.
Coming soon I'll share a little bit about graduation and our all school field day on the last day of school. Stay tuned.
While waiting I noticed some high school students walk in with cotton candy and ice cream cones. Is this graduation or the fair???
The processional begins. There were 9 graduates this year.
The seniors prepared two special songs to sing as a group at graduation. One was a hilarious song of inside jokes and fun memories of their time at BAIS.
Wil delivered the valedictorian speech at the ceremony.
Wil was this year's Student Council president and received a staff sponsored scholarship awarded at graduation... overall just a great student and inspiring young man.
The seniors asked Jennie to be the key note speaker at graduation. She was honored and overwhelmed at the task of what challenge she should give the seniors before they go their separate ways. She decided as part of her speech she would wash the seniors' feet as a challenge to them to follow the example of Christ throughout their lives.
The seniors with their families.
One last group shot of all the graduates.
