I am a senior at Front Range. I have been the Spiritual Life Prefect (in the Student Leadership Coalition) for the past 3 years now. As the Spiritual Life Prefect, I have worked closely with the Director of Discipleship, Mr. Gehr, to improve chapels, reestablish elementary discipleship groups, and make the school, as a whole, a culture and place that reflects Christ’s character. Amidst the busyness and excitement of fall, Thanksgiving, and the upcoming Christmas season (woo hoo) it can be quite easy to get distracted from the concept of reflection. Recently, something I have been reflecting on as I am nearing graduation and capstone is how Front Range has shaped me, and what I, as a student, love about our school.

I have been at Front Range since 6th grade, so there is a lot to reflect on. One of the things that has shaped me from the very beginning is the teachers and faculty. From when I had Miss Padgett in 6th grade to having Mr. Spector in 7th and 11th grades, every single one of them has shaped me in some way. Each one of the faculty and teachers genuinely care for and love each student. There have been hardships throughout my years at Front Range and the teachers have walked alongside me and have given me Godly advice through those times. They exude Christ’s character to not just me, but to every student. Having teachers to mentor me and guide me as I have grown up has been extremely life-giving and fruitful. I know even after I graduate I will continue to live out what they have taught me, which is to love those as Christ has loved us, to understand what a Christian worldview is, and what it looks like to live out my faith as my own.

Another thing that I love about Front Range is the community, not just with teachers but with my peers. Because Front Range is a smaller school, you really get to know people in every grade. Whether that’s through the musical, leading Jazzercise with 4th-12th graders, leading elementary discipleship groups with 1st and 6th grade, or Junior High dGroups with 7th and 8th grade, you have genuine relationships with a variety of people. Through these opportunities over my years here, I have been able to become close friends with people older and younger than me. The friendships you make here are authentic and will last even after graduating. Being able to grow in faith alongside my friends has been so wonderful. I have watched my classmates and friends learn what having a faith of your own looks like and what it looks like to pursue Christ in a manner that is salt and light to the world.

As Thanksgiving and Christmas near and I begin to reflect on things I am grateful for I find countless reasons why I am beyond thankful for Front Range. I wake up each day being thankful for the Lord providing breath in my lungs and providing such an amazing school with a splendid community and body of Christ that surrounds me. As you near Thanksgiving and Christmas, I hope it is a season where you reflect on all of the good, simple, beautiful things Christ has done.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)