Rachael
Grade 12
How would you describe your overall experience at Eastern Christian?
I would describe my overall experience at Eastern Christian as constructive. My time here has taught me about both the love and blessing of a truly Christian community as well as the chaos and brokenness of the God-less world. In the midst of events like Covid-19, EC education has both tested and confirmed my faith in Christ Jesus. I am most thankful for the compassion and Christian teaching that my EC education has granted me. Not just in Bible classes and chapel, but in all of my classes I have been taught and shown what it means to exemplify Christ in the Christian life. I have been blessed with teachers that are devoted to glorifying God, and I have been greatly inspired to live my life in the same way — not for my own gain, but for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom!
How did the EC community impact your life?
Earlier this year the stress of the close of the semester, including school work, club responsibilities and events, maintaining work hours, college applications, and more weighed heavily on me as they do many high school students. I remember a teacher taking time to talk to me, and having a really deep and meaningful conversation with me that I will never forget. She reminded me of all the truths that had slipped my mind amidst the stress of senior year: It’s okay to not be okay all the time, perfection is literally impossible and failure is normal, and God is in control of it all. I so appreciated this moment in that it reminded me that there are struggles throughout all walks of life. Just like students, teachers struggle too! We are all experiencing an imperfect world as imperfect people, and to be able to talk freely about the goodness of God in the midst of it all is truly an amazing part of the EC community.
In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?
I have gone to EC since pre-school, so my faith has grown as I’ve grown up throughout my many years at this school. Looking back on the time I’ve spent in this community, a big theme I see that has strengthened and confirmed my faith is that of experience. I use the word experience in an expansive way. Eastern Christian has presented me with many opportunities and challenging, faith-building circumstances in which I have had the opportunity to share the gospel with others. Yes, EC is a Christian school but that doesn’t mean that everyone coming here has their own personal and deep faith. Students come from Christian families of all different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. I have had many interactions, conversations, prayers, and more with people that have clarified for me exactly what my faith is rooted in. Now that I am at the end of my senior year I am confident in saying that I faithfully believe in Christ Jesus who died for my sins and the sins of the people of God from all over the world. EC has contributed to this confidence by providing and nurturing experiences — such as the WINGS program, service days, field trips, and more — to share what I believe with believers and non-believers alike in both the EC community and beyond.
What’s an opportunity at EC that fueled a passion to learn and grow in?
Dancers With A Purpose, otherwise known as DWAP, fueled my passion for praise dance and glorifying God through the arts. I joined this group at the beginning of my sophomore year and have stuck with it throughout the rest of my high school career. We meet twice a week during SOAR as well as lunch practices at times, and we perform at chapels for holidays and more. This year I served as the organizer of the group alongside dancing with the group, helping to plan sales, order costumes, schedule practices, and most importantly help keep the purpose of the group alive and well. Before we begin dancing during SOAR practice, we always have devotions and prayer time. The general phrase that I always try to consistently add to my prayers over the practices and dances has always been “for the glory of God.” Through our passion for dance and love for God, this group has served as a great outlet for worship in my life. I have learned so much through this experience, including leadership, patience, and above all what it means to praise God passionately!
What are EC’s top strengths as a school?
EC’s top strengths as a school include a growing diversity and sincere faculty. From the time I first started in pre-K, EC has always been open and even in search of a wide variety of students. International students make up a large part of our community, as do students from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, birthplaces, family dynamics, and more. Tying into this is EC’s strength of sincere faculty. Just like the students, the faculty also come from a wide variety of backgrounds, which helps to make them all the more understanding and caring of all students. The teachers and staff at EC have always felt genuinely passionate about their jobs, being wholeheartedly driven by their devotion to Christ Jesus.
How do you feel that EC prepared you for graduation, college/career and life? What legacy do you hope you left at EC?
I feel that EC has prepared me for graduation, college/career, and life in general in numerous ways. EC has thoroughly helped me to find the career path that is right for me. I feel that various elective choices, SOARs, the WINGS program, and more have provided me with ample opportunities to get to know myself and my interests, and so be able to jump right into college and beyond confident in what I want to pursue. Additionally, dual enrollment classes and honors classes have given me a small taste and a helpful preview of the next period of schooling to come in my life. Though I have definitely had caring teachers, I have also been made fully aware that this is not to be expected from the world. EC has both shown me what a Christ-centered community looks like, and prepared me for a world that is largely not so.
How did EC make you a better person? What legacy do you hope you left at EC?
EC made me a better person by teaching me the power and importance of my voice. For a very long time I was a quiet and self-conscious person who did not share my beliefs or thoughts very often. I am still self-conscious from time to time, as is everyone, but I know now that my voice is good and I have grown confident enough to use it to share the good news of Jesus! By “voice” I don’t simply mean in the physical vocal cords way, but also through art, dance, music, writing, and more. My voice is a product of the One who gives me lungs, breath, and an imagination, singing and praising His name in all I do. I create to glorify Him, my Creator, who first created me!
What would you say to a prospective student considering joining Eastern Christian School?
I would say to a prospective student considering joining Eastern Christian School that though I can’t guarantee EC will be the right fit for you, I can guarantee that it is a community united in Christ Jesus our Lord! It is a school that bridges the gap between public and otherwise private schools, being small in number but diverse in population. Regardless of where you’ve come from, EC has a place for you in its many clubs, classes, community events, extra-curricular activities, and more!