The most amazing five years in life take place from age 13 to 18, the teen years, beginning as a awakening kid of eighth grade and ending as a young adult completing high school. As adults do you remember all the changes, the anxieties, the learning challenges, the social " fitting in" times, and the desire to " be free" yet needing a secure family? If you have children or grand children under age 20, now would be a good time to recall and to pray more earnestly. To our teens, I went to an all boys college prep school with high expectations and academic pressure. I thought I'd " crack" a few times, but didn't . I really enjoyed the changes and was lucky to have good supportive friends. To often my mind drifted to girls, wonderful girls. Such is life. Here is my and our hope for you who we as a faith community love very much. We're learning how to show it. We hope you maximize the benefits of ' giving your best in school' regardless of your abilities. Develop good and honest friends whom you can share your hopes and dreams and problems with, and continue to do that with family. Drive safely and be focused and enjoy this privileged expansion of freedom. We hope you really enjoy school home comings, events, and proms. Be a nice person socially . Don't be a bully and don't be a victim, ever. Grow in your understanding that Jesus knows and loves you, would you say the same towards Him? Attend faith classes, volunteer in the community, be at church , smile and participate, you 'd be surprised at how good you will feel . Stay close and connected with family. I found that " Blood IS thicker than water." In life, friends come and go but family is forever. Use that word " love" freely with those you care about. We care about you and I thought you should know that once again. Our story continues...God blesses us ... Deacon Tim.