Make the most of your traditions

Tradition is important in any family, such as going certain places or doing certain things around the holidays, celebrating different parts of the year, etc., and each tradition is special and unique to the family.

In our "family" here at New Life Christian High School, tradition is very important also. Our traditions are part of what makes the experience at school enjoyable and different than other places. We seniors definitely appreciate the traditions, especially during our last year here, because we won't get to experience them for much longer.

Some traditions that happen annually on our campus are: an elementary-grades trip to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm; Grandparents Day lunch before Thanksgiving break in November; a Cookie Contest in December, when the students make treats for the seniors to judge during a pep rally; Drama and Dessert, a night of skits put on by the senior class as a fundraiser; Spirit Week, where each day is assigned a different dress-up theme, and each class makes a banner to hang in the gymnasium and also comes up with a skit and cheer to perform at the pep rally on Friday.

Another senior fundraiser is the Senior Follies, a themed night of skits and songs, which happens to be 7 p.m. Friday at New Life Assembly, 5736 Arboga Road, Olivehurst. Tickets are $8. Call 742-3033 for more information.

These traditional activities are all put on the master calendar at the beginning of the school year — but then there are some other traditions that are not as official but still recognized.

I think most everyone agrees with freshmen Haley Moody and Rachel Whiteley, who say their favorite tradition is having a bi-weekly chapel service, during which students experience a time of praise and worship by a student-led band and a sermon from a guest speaker.

Sophomore Carissa Riffel recalled her favorite NLCHS tradition: "I like the circles we make in the gym before school in the morning. Everyone stands around in a big circle and just talks until the bell rings."

Freshman Nick South shared his favorite tradition: "On the last day of school, when we have a barbecue and sign all the yearbooks."

Senior Mike Ayala said his favorite tradition is: "Going in to our principal, Mr. Lewallen's, office during break time and talking about 'Call of Duty.'"

These are just a few examples of the close camaraderie we experience on the NLCHS campus as a result of traditions, no matter how menial or silly they might seem.

I encourage you to make the most of your traditions and appreciate them while you are able, either at the place you celebrate or the people you celebrate with.

Haley Waters is a senior at New Life Christian School. Her column appears about every sixth week in Education.