Gala | FCS Blog Post

Immediately before a plated dinner is served at a local venue, seniors are individually presented to the guests and seated. Guests are then treated to a slide show of photos depicting each senior’s life from birth to the present day as the meal begins. The highlight of the evening follows dinner when each senior approaches the podium to receive a personal charge from a member of the faculty. These charges are intended to publicly bless and exhort seniors as they prepare to leave the school. Throughout the years, charges have been a source of encouragement and anticipation for seniors because they do not know which teacher will be charging them until they rise from their seat.

Charges reflect the relationship between teachers and students over the years, especially in their senior year. Some charges are built around a Bible passage, a favorite poem or story character, and some recall a personal anecdote about the student. Tears and laughter abound as the audience hears the hopes expressed in these charges. Senior parents are often amazed and grateful at how well the faculty know and understand their child, while other students and parents attending witness the beauty of these moments, anticipating their turn to rise and approach the podium.

Gala is about good food, lots of laughter, and more than a few tears of heartfelt nostalgia and joy. When the evening concludes with a heartfelt toast and benediction, seniors continue through their last month of exams, senior trip, and graduation, knowing they are loved and prepared to face the challenges of the coming years.

- Stephanie Hopkins, Associate Head of Middle & Upper School

Note from a Lower School Parent regarding Gala:

My husband, Chris, and I were at the Gala and we enjoyed it! It had been a long time since we got that dressed up and had a night out since asking someone to care for our 4 young children is a big ask.

It was nice to spend several hours with parents at both ends of the school spectrum—some just getting started and some about to send their child into the world. I joke about not wanting my boys to grow up but honestly, it scares me to think about sending them into the world. It’s a scary place. I feel the full weight of raising children in a fallen, broken world. Never have I been so thankful to have a school that is fully invested in partnering with us to prepare them for the future. Academics are important, but even more so is the ability to stand firm in what you believe despite worldly influence. During the Gala I saw a room full of seniors that are prepared to do just that. I’ll blink and find myself the parent of a senior instead of a kindergartener but I find comfort in knowing we aren’t alone on this journey.

The Gala was a special evening; one that I’m thankful that we were invited to.

Becky Maupin