2009 Care Convention - March 19, 2009
Picture eighty-two seventh graders running through a "spirit tunnel." Some are wearing leis, some are sporting bandannas on their heads, some wearing Mickey Mouse ears and others are in clothes from India. What sounds like a costume party was actually Care Convention 2009!
Seventh graders were divided into small groups with group names based on this year's theme "Vacation Destinations." The day was dedicated to giving students the opportunity to talk about issues prevalent to middle school. High school math teacher Mr. Oliver Hersey was one of the speakers and used a clip from Finding Nemo in order to teach the kids about the ultimate father while another speaker, Ms. Carter, used Napoleon Dynamite to illustrate the life of a teenager. Rev. Jeff Klein was the last speaker and spoke to the students about the importance of caring for each other..
In between speakers, the high school staff performed skits that introduced the challenges we all come up against when caring for ourselves and each other. Care Convention would not have been possible without the amazing parent small group leaders that gave an entire day to be with seventh graders. After each speaker, the parents joined high school students to co-lead small groups, giving every seventh grader an opportunity to respond to the speaker’s messages.
Mr. Bosman rounded out the day by leading worship at the end. Seventh graders commented that it was the best day of the year! Parents and high school students were blessed to be involved and everyone went home smiling and exhausted.
A Care Convention favorite is the skit "Because I Want to Be Loved," performed annually by the High School Care Convention staff. The skit reminds us to be ourselves and not try to be something we are not, just to fit in.
We hope you enjoy this year's rendition!