Love. Celebration. Future Goals.
These three themes ran through every graduation I had the joy of attending this year. Whether I was sitting in a church sanctuary or a school gymnasium, I found myself wiping away tears as I looked around, filled with gratitude and emotion.
A Season of Celebration
This year on the Winston campus, ten students graduated from pre-K, fifth grade, middle school, and high school. Each celebration was unique, but all were overflowing with joy. The halls of our cottages were alive for weeks leading up to the big moments. Cards and books were carefully chosen and signed for each child. Every detail was love personified.
The Beautiful Chaos of Graduation Week
Graduation Week 2025 brought the best kind of chaos in my role. It was a time to celebrate the children we love and to remind them of the goodness they bring into the world. As I sat through the ceremonies, I couldn’t help but take in the beautiful village around me. Case managers, supervisors, cottage parents, siblings, and extended family all gathered to celebrate the children we had come to know so well.
A Privileged Role
My role allows me the privilege of walking with our kids through some of life’s milestone moments. It is a sacred invitation. And through it, I am constantly reminded that many of the stereotypes people carry about our children and their families are wrong. Yes, hard things have happened. Yes, there has been a separation. But in these moments, while our kids are in care at Crossnore, we get to celebrate them fully. Every milestone, big or small, is worth honoring.
The weight of that privilege is not lost on me. I am deeply thankful to be one more person in the village that surrounds these amazing children.
Celebration Continues at the Beach
Even now, as I sit on the beach trip with friends, colleagues, staff from Avery, and our incredible kids, I am struck by how true this calling continues to be.
When asked why celebrating our children matters, Supervisor Tyshicka Crouell said:
“Our kids deserve to be celebrated. Coming into care is already hard without having biological family here…”
Supervisor Yvette Floyd added:
“Showing up just matters.”
Showing Up in Love
Showing up matters. Supporting one another matters. Celebration matters.
We are called to show up, and we are called to love.
John 15:12
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
