Posts Tagged "Student Life"
Kingsmen Café: There's No Place Like Home
January 06, 2025
When I first stepped into the Café at Christian Heritage School, it was not yet a café. It was 1981; I was a CHS student and Mrs. Wahlberg was the librarian and that space was her domain. She had it neatly arranged with posters on the wall encouraging us to read just for fun. The books were all in their place on the shelving, and the tables were in clusters, allowing us to sit with large groups of friends. Mrs. Wahlberg knew that the small school I had just transferred from did not have a library, so she greeted me warmly and took extra time to show me how to find books and sign them out. I spent the next five years creating many of my favorite memories in that room; some of them actually involved studying. Though if you know me, you would know that the memories I cherish the most are the ones where I was sitting beside my friends, talking, giggling, and sharing in one another’s lives. Ultimately, building relationships, some that would last for generations.
When I came to the end of my senior year, I stood in that library, wearing my blue cap and gown. I had anticipated the excitement that my graduation would bring, but I was surprised that it was woven with hints of sadness. Christian Heritage had become my home away from home and my heart hurt at the thought of leaving it. That was forty-four years ago. Since then, three of my daughters have attended and graduated from Christian Heritage, and although I spent some time away, I never quite left entirely. That’s the way it is with “home”, isn’t it?
Our world has seen many changes in the last forty-four years, among them is a very different way of enjoying a cup of coffee. Coffee shops have become a place to hang out with friends, a safe place to meet acquaintances. They’re a quiet place to study or write papers; a common ground to hash out relational issues or just to get to know someone better. People go there to unwind after work, treating themselves to their favorite drink as a means of celebration or consolation. In short, it has become less about the caffeine and more about community. The Kingsmen Café is much the same, with one major difference: the community that we are striving to cultivate is a Christ-centered one.
The world’s view of community is often me-centered. “How can you improve my life? Make me feel better? Bring me more income? Further my career?” But throughout scripture Jesus commands us to love one another. He calls us to do life together, not for the good of ourselves, but for the good of our neighbors; ultimately to bring glory to our Father. I Peter 4: 8-11 says: Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength that God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever.
This verse is the heart of what we hope to emulate when encouraging community in the cafe.
If you were to wander into the Kingsmen Café at any given time you would be able to witness tables of students with a warm cup of coffee and open books, studying side by side. Or you may see students huddled in the corner quizzing one another on their bible verse for an upcoming test. If you are truly fortunate, you may be treated to the harmonizing sounds of the boy’s ensemble, practicing in the loft, their voices low and barely detectable, but beautiful nonetheless. After school is another story; the excitement of the day's end is palpable and sometimes deafening. This is the time that the younger students are given access to the café and are able to enjoy picking out their treat. They choose their snack, then count out their money and hand it over the counter to one of the women who work here. You can see their faces light up in the process, delighted by their newly acquired independence. Sometimes the older children in line will step in to help, much to the joy of the star-struck little ones. The laughter at that time of day is contagious. The conversation is fluid; creating a continuous hum from 2:30 to 3:30. Every thought that the students have had to hold in throughout the day seems to overflow once they reach their friends in the café. In this room, it doesn’t matter if you’re five or one hundred and five; you’re welcome and you belong.
I’m going to use this opportunity to make a pitch to all who are reading this. Come check out our little café. Stop in when you drop your student off and witness the beauty of our children gathered together around the tables. Or bring a friend during the day and sit down for a cup of tea or coffee, letting them see for themselves the value of the God-centered community that you are investing in for the sake of your children. It doesn’t matter how many years go by, that is one fundamental thing that has not, nor will ever change in our school.
It is my prayer that one day, when your student has completed their time at CHS, they too will stand in the room that was once my library but is now their café, and think to themselves: “there’s no place like home.”
Lorna Tyrrell is the Kingsmen Café Manager. She graduated from Christian Heritage in 1986 and went on to major in Early Childhood Education. She taught preschool for many years before becoming a stay-at-home mom to daughters: Olivia, Rebekah, Mary and Naomi. Lorna began a career in baking in 2013, learning her new craft of cake art at a local bakery. She has continued this passion while helping at the Kingsmen Café; stepping into the Manager position 2 years ago. When she's not baking or creating coffee, she can be found soaking up the joy that her six grandchildren bring.
1 comment
CHS Musical Theater: It’s Not Just About The Show
November 04, 2024
Excitement has been building since the Homecoming Reveal of our 2025 Spring Musical, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The students are now busy learning songs, monologues and even tap dances in preparation for their upcoming auditions. Once the cast is announced over the Thanksgiving break, we will be off and running. The students will begin to dig into their characters in rehearsals, music will be learned, lighting and sets will be designed, set building will begin, costumes will be chosen and props and set pieces will be secured. The groundwork for the theater magic begins!
To the OUTSIDE world, one would think that January - March it is all about preparing for opening night, but on the INSIDE, it is so much more. It is…..
…a community
…an extended family
…a sense of belonging
…a support system
…a confidence booster
…a creative outlet
…a challenge
…an education
…a place to succeed
…a safe space to take a risk
…a place to try something new
…a place to discover your best self
…a place to find some lifelong friends
…a place to build confidence that lasts a lifetime
…a place to be a part of something bigger than yourself
…a place to be part of a team where no one sits on the bench
And most important,
…a place to give our talents in praise to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
.png)
To us as directors, these inside moments far exceed the success of any theatrical performance in the spring. What a joy it is to observe young people stretch and discover how God has gifted each of them while surrounded by a community who loves them, and they can trust.
In addition to those “ah-hah” moments of realizing they CAN do this, there are those life lessons that they will carry as they leave the halls of Christian Heritage. Through the years, we have received correspondence from cast and crew member who shared what they learned as being part of the Theater Program.
Todd (Class of 1988): “Being exposed to such a high level of excellence in production really opened up my eyes to the world of music and video production and working with a large group of people.”
Brian (Class of 1989): “Being part of the CHS musical taught me a lot about myself, mostly it taught me that my actions and ability to take something seriously effects other people. I personally matured a lot through the process.”
Josh (Class of 1999): “I learned about how the collaboration of many people with different talents can come together to make something truly spectacular. The friendships you form, the things you will learn, you will take with you, and they will have an impact on the rest of your life. You will look back at what you were involved in, the thing you helped create, and these things will be remembered for generations to come.”
Grace (Class of 2006): “Participating in theater at CHS stretched a creative muscle I never knew I had, allowing me to explore acting, singing, student directing/choreography, while building leadership skills in a community of friends that have stayed with me to this day. The courage and confidence I gained on that CHS stage continue to support me in my career as a professional communicator, public speaker and podcast host.”
Bella (Class of 2022): “ I started as a cast member but soon learned that my passion was for behind the scenes. As Stage Manager, the lessons I learned about leadership and management are ones that I will continue to use for the rest of my life.”
Christopher (Class of 2022): “CHS Theater has completely changed my life. It was a place where I received glimpses of eternal joy. The lifelong friendships that you create plays into the fact that CHS theater really is a family. It was so valuable to be in a program where Christ is at the center of it all. The memories that I have will stick with me forever.”
In March, when you come out to support our amazing students, when the Overture begins to play and the curtain peels back to reveal the start of the performance, when you hear the music and experience the laughter and joy, when you see the connections and you feel the tingles and goosebumps during curtain call, we pray you will have a little insight into the depths of what participation in the CHS musical is truly all about. We look forward to seeing you in March and covet your prayers for the 38th Spring Musical production at Christian Heritage School.
ALL for His Glory!
Reminder: Spring musical auditions (Grade 8-12 only) are next week, November 18-20, 2024. If your students are interested, please have them visit this link for information.
Mrs. Robin Hannibal serves as the Upper School Choral Director and a Co-Director of the Spring Musical. She received a Bachelor of Science in K-12 Music Education and a Masters of Science in School Counseling, both from Western CT State University. Robin started her career teaching high school music in Stamford and came to CHS in 1986. CHS has become a second family, and she is grateful for the years of being part of a community that loves Jesus, seeks excellence and serves one another. Her passion is for her students to know that in Jesus they are loved, cherished and chosen, and in her classroom, they are seen, valued and loved. “THEY are the reason I am here!”
Robin and her husband Don have 2 children, David (’07) and Rachel (’10). In their spare time they enjoy traveling and hiking National Parks.
Learning Life Skills Through Junior Life Calling Class
October 24, 2024
“Sometimes we need to go old school,” was the comment that simultaneously made me smile and reminded me of Home Economics back in the day. My nostalgia came during an 11th grade Bible class. At Christian Heritage, our 11th graders take Bible class the first Semester and Life Calling the second. At the end of the Bible semester, we prepare them for what is ahead; college prep and home ec.
The second semester begins with our academic counselor coming into the classroom and working through the Fuller Youth Institute curriculum by addressing the issues of identity, belonging, and purpose. Students then complete the YouScience aptitude test to identify their strengths and skills, and what direction that points to after graduation. This includes resumes, interviewing skills, as well as the college application process for our students who want to pursue college after graduation.
Though the first half of the semester is classroom-heavy, the second half is very hands-on. Juniors brainstorm what they feel unprepared to handle after high school, and this list becomes the practical, interactive lessons we do together as a class.
Students have gone on mini field trips and gotten dirty learning from Mr. Simon how to change a tire and the oil of a car, or how to bake a treat from Mrs. Stempien. These topics often take place outside of the classroom and also include things such as: how to sew a pillow or hem pants, what is a checking account and how I use it, how to cook a healthy meal without Ramen, or why would I separate my darks from my whites in the wash.
What makes Life Calling such a unique class is this combination of all of the above. Preparing juniors in a very holistic way for the future. At CHS we believe we all have a calling on our lives, and we are invited to discover together what God is calling our juniors to next.
Mrs. Jennie Higenyi is our Upper School Bible Department Head. She received a Bachelors of Psychology and Pastoral Ministry from Nyack College, and a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Preaching from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Jennie has worked as both an Associate Pastor and a Preaching Pastor, and began her teaching career as a Professor of Pastoral Ministry. She has lived as a Missionary both in Italy and in Africa. This is her fourteenth year working at CHS, and she teaches 7th, 8th, and 11th grade Bible, and 12th grade Syracuse University Presentational Speaking.
What Does it Take to Build Community?
November 14, 2023
While I was on a mission trip with our students in a small village in Mexico, I was struck by the overwhelming sense of community. They didn’t talk about it, they didn’t strategize how to facilitate it, they simply lived it. At midnight the night before we were leaving, about 30 young people showed up at the family's house that I was staying in, a 10’ x 20’ concrete block home, with music, a cake and joyful hearts to sing Happy Birthday to the girl who was just turning 16. I found out later, it was a village tradition. Coming together to “share life,” it was great!
CHS has enjoyed a vibrant community of families coming together to “share life.” During my 40 plus years of working here at CHS, the common bond of seeking to raise children with a heart for the Lord, and preparing them well to do what the Lord has created them to do, has been strong.
Several of you have mentioned, “Hey, we saw you choked up as you closed the Veterans Day Program last week.” The power of the moment was overwhelming in all the right ways. As I looked out from the podium, sitting on the floor directly in front of me were some of our youngest students. Just 25 feet further back sat our guest, Navy veteran Mr. Carl Massaro, 98 yrs young. As a 19 yr old, he landed on Okinawa in heavy fighting to preserve the freedom that allowed the men who were assembled just to my left (made of students, alumni, parents and staff) to sing the most beautiful rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” What a special glimpse of community!
When my youngest daughter Abby was a senior at CHS, early that September, she asked to stop at Dunkin’ Donuts on the way to school for an iced coffee. Excited for the new year and wanting to do something fun for her, I of course, said yes. The same request came the following week. Thinking I would like to do something special for her again, I said yes. The third week rolled around and as we were approaching Dunkin’ Donuts Abby looked over and said, “Dad, you know ‘it’s tradition.’ We really need to stop again.” As I quickly did the math in my head (36 weeks left of school + 1 iced coffee a week = $$) and being the easy target that I am, I pulled into Dunkin’ Donuts… and you know the rest. I share this because in Abby’s senior reflections on what was most special to her during her final year, she included, “…waking up super early every Tuesday for my father-daughter coffee date!” I’ve always recognized that special moments and events were important, but as I read her reflection for the first time I was so struck by that obvious reality that the foundation of what we do at CHS is critical. The academic preparation and the Biblical foundation are the reason we exist but we can help better achieve both those goals and objectives by supplementing with a rich community and times of coming together as we “share life.” The moments and the experiences matter and will often be what is remembered.
As the Director of Student Life and Operations, I have seen that community is often most richly built through common challenges and goals. I am so grateful that CHS has always worked to embrace the lifestyle of service to others for the glory of our Lord. Scripture is clear that we are built to serve. I have been on many service projects and mission trips and, in these situations, I have often wished that the parents could get a glimpse of this experience. For example, on a recent senior class trip we had the opportunity to do a service project in Florida. The Lord brought this family to our attention. They were young parents in their forties with two teenage children. The dad was quite ill and, as a result, was blind. The family was facing many difficulties and we couldn’t address them all. However, we could address the physical needs of yard work, building a wheelchair ramp and painting their house. At the end of a very long day, close to dusk as the sun was setting, we completed the work and the family was brought back home for the reveal. As the mom stood crying on the newly added front porch saying thank you to the kids, the husband grabbed my arm while sitting in his wheelchair. He pulled me over to speak into my ear, saying, “I can’t see the work that the kids have done but I can feel the joy that it brings my wife. Please bring the students over to me one at a time so I can thank each one individually.” You can only imagine the scene as this gentleman reached out and grabbed the hand of each student to say thank you!!! This was a very powerful moment! I’m quite certain that the class was never so unified and never felt such a stronger sense of community with each other as they did at that moment with our newly adopted family.
CHS intentionally works to create opportunities and special moments, such as Fall Festival, Veterans Day, Grandparents Day, School Spirit Week, service projects, special events and a number of social opportunities for the express purpose of building a stronger community to help us achieve our core goals. It is our desire to help our students become the person that God created and built them to be - one lesson, one class, one special event, one service project and one moment at a time!
We are so thankful that YOU are part of our community!
John Naeher is the Director of Student Life & Operations. He started at CHS in the fall of 1981 and began his 43rd yr in the fall of 2023. His daughters, Amanda 06', Alyssa 06' and Abigail 10' attended CHS from K-12. John has had the privilege of coaching several teams, sponsoring many Senior Classes and been a part of building community at CHS throughout his career. “CHS has been a rich part of my family for which I will always be grateful.”