After an action-packed, all school retreat, Labor Day Weekend couldn’t be placed more perfectly for sleep catch up. Retreat at Frontier Ranch has been a VCHS tradition dating back to our school’s first years. It’s rich in traditions that have been passed down from Seniors and STUCO one year to the next. For example, the Senior Slide Show from Graduation 2019 is shown again, reminding everyone of those who were just with us. Other examples include Senior Advice, Senior Testimonies, and the late-night Senior Swim. These traditions are vitally important and help create the community culture we cherish. They are especially important as we weave our newest members – the Class of ’23 – into the VCHS family.
Rob Wilson, Head Pastor at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, VCHS soccer coach and parent, and husband of Senora Barb, was our featured speaker. His four talks challenged us to think more deeply about God’s rescue plan for each of us comparing it to the 1957 rescue attempt of two ledge-stranded mountain climbers on the Swiss Alps’ Eiger Mountain. Like the mountain rescuers, God is ready to rescue us from above. When he drops down to our life ledge, all we need to do is grab hold of Him.
And we know God also chooses to use people to love, support, and rescue those who are on life’s various mountain ledges. Ledges of grief, anxiety, addiction, broken relationships, and health challenges are just a few life ledge examples. As we focus on service this school year, I want to see our students take a step further in serving their fellow students by demonstrating love, kindness, empathy, and a listening ear to those on their own ledges. Service starts right here, right at VCHS, right in the day-to-day messiness and beauty of life.
