Essay 1 by Kaitlyn

Hi, I’m Kaitlyn representing St.PaulLutheranSchool. It’s a really great place. We students don’t show it enough, but we really appreciate the church congregation’s help. St. Paul’s a wonderful place to grow in the faith. I know that here everyone cares about me. And I know that teachers have always cared about the type of person I’m turning into.

I’ve been here since kindergarten, and I’ve always had a great time. Chapel every Wednesday is really nice, because all of us students can have one giant ungraded, enjoyable religion class. It’s also nice not having to worry about whether or not I’ll get teased about being a Christian. It won’t be very long until I leave these school doors for the last time, and I’ll miss it here.

We all really appreciate the congregation’s help, and how you all make a lot of things possible. Our school wouldn’t be around still if it wasn’t for the church. The church helps make a lot of really cool things happen, such as Lutheran Schools Week. It’s amazing all the fun things our school can do. I’ve never been to a different school so I can’t say it’s the best school in the world, but it’s a pretty great place. But I don’t think we miss out on anything. We learn about Jesus everyday. We constantly know he surrounds us. We learn about Him in Math, Science, English, every subject. We learn He’s in everything we do, not just with us on Sundays. Our teachers, and you, all make sure that we aren’t around things that won’t help us in the long run. What more can I say? I love this school, and the church is helping a lot of great kids have a great, safe school experience.

Essay 2 by Ben

Hello fellow congregation. Today, I will be talking about hope. During my time at St. Paul, the best way of describing my experience here is the word hope.  When you think of the word hope, you should think of an acrostic poem.

During my experience at St. Paul, technology and teaching methods have greatly changed. Computers, notebooks, and smartboards are just a few examples of the ways my teachers show their class instructions on how to learn new things. Also, instead of reading out of the book in science, our teachers have let us participate in cool labs to teach us scientific method and how something operates in life. Even though we have changed to remain current in educational instruction, there is one thing that has remained the same, our way of teaching the Word of God. St. Paul continues to teach the Lutheran doctrines and the important lessons found in the Bible.  Therefore, the first letter, h, in hope stands for our Lutheran heritage.

The letter o in hope stands for opportunities.  At St. Paul Lutheran School, I have had so many outstanding opportunities.  Students can join the volleyball, basketball, softball, and track teams.  Not only can you play sports, you have seminars in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade. There are many various activities that I have been able to participate in during seminar time.  I have learned to play hand bells, joined the band, and have had classes on digital photography. These seminars have helped me academically as well.  Currently, I participate in the algebra enrichment seminar.  The junior high teachers take use their talents to do a lead a different seminar each day. They allow us to choose the seminars in which we would like to participate.  Each quarter, I have the opportunity to choose new seminars.  During these activities, I have good Christian coaches and teachers guide me. Our teachers also offer opportunities to work on the yearbook, participate in writing contests, and to learn to play the guitar.  St. Paul School has provided me with many rich opportunities.

The letter p in hope is for promise. At the start of every school year, St. Paul teachers promise to teach their students to the best of their abilities. When teachers hand out study guides for a test, they are trying to help me study what I will need to so I will do well on the test. This is one way they fulfill their promise. Another promise that our great teachers at St. Paul always keep is teaching the Word of God. When they assign memory and teach religion class, they are keeping their promise.  But, it is not only in these classes that the word of God is presented, it is integrated into every subject and into every aspect of my school life.

The letter e in hope stands for excellence. At our school, teachers strive for excellence academically and socially. In the classroom, teachers expect the best from all students. Because they provide additional one-on-one help in the classroom, they expect excellence in your work. Not only do they expect excellence in academics, they expect excellent behavior and attitude as well. Through these expectations, I have learned the importance of working hard and doing my best in all things and at all times, to use the gifts that God has given me.

The word hope is a great way to describe my experience at St. Paul. All of this would not have been possible, without the support of the congregation and the church. What a blessing it is to have so much support from the church. Some may say we can’t afford to have a school.  I say, we can’t afford not to.  I thank all people that have helped this church and school prosper. I would like to thank you for allowing me to have an outstanding educational experience here at St. Paul.