Ben's school days are coming to a close. His last day of classes turned out to be Tuesday due to AP exams on Wednesday and Friday and Senior Chapel on Thursday. I seem to be getting ahead of myself so let's take things in order.
PROM
The prom was two weeks ago Friday (the 26th). Ben decided to ask a girl to the prom this year rather than go stag. Actually, he and two of his best friends all had dates so the three couples went together as a group.
Prom-posals are big at Davidson Academy, so Ben had to do more than just pluck up the courage to ask the girl, he felt the need to do something a little special. Ben decided to ask fellow senior and cross country teammate, Mei Lin, to the prom. Mei Lin had her senior project this semester so Ben decided to give her flowers and ask her to the prom right after she finished her presentation. Mei Lin had a lot of big things due that day so this was a nice way to cap everything off for her.
Moving forward to prom day (which was the day after Mom's surgery), Ben picked Mei Lin up and headed over to Two Rivers Park for pictures. This was a pretty big deal with three couples and their parents all there. Ben and Mei Lin made a cute couple, as did the other two couples.
After the photo shoot we all went out to eat, parents separately from the couples. Then we , as parents of seniors, were invited to the prom to see all the seniors introduced as they arrived. We then left there to help Jenna move her furniture into storage. Ben spent the night with friends afterwards and they went to see the new Avengers movie the next day. All in all, a great prom experience for a senior.
MAN OF THE HOUR
Ben has done well in tennis given his lack of experience. He's won a few and lost a few this season, but he really came through when it counted the other day. It's tournament time and the top two players on our team lost their matches, but our three and four had won so Ben's match was the deciding factor. Everyone except Ben knew that he had to win his match if we were going to advance. He said later he thought it a little odd that everyone had stayed to watch him play and was so happy when he won. It was a nail biter because he lost first his set 2-6, won second set 6-4 which forced it to a tiebreaker which he won 11-9! Now the team will get to play in the state tournament in Memphis on Wednesday!
BACCALAUREATE
Our baccalaureate service was last Sunday afternoon. Each year the parent of a graduating senior is usually asked to speak. This year it was Kenny since Wil is among the seniors. What was a complete surprise to me was when we sat in our pew Vicki looked at the program and said to me, "When did they ask you to give the benediction?" As it turned out, they had put me on the program but forgotten to ask me. I prayed at the end and all turned out well, but this gave us something to laugh about behind the scenes.
Kenny did a great job. He spoke with his normal unconventional but humorous style and ended up speaking as Papa Noel. He spoke to how he had gotten a Santa suit several years ago and enjoyed making local appearances. Around the same time our church was getting involved with the orphanage in Haiti that Jenna and Ben have both visited. Kenny went on an early trip to Haiti and was struck by the comment of one child there who said, "Papa Noel doesn't come to Haiti because we are too bad in Haiti." There was a gasp all across the congregation when Kenny said that. He has been to Haiti every December as Papa Noel since hearing those words which has enabled him to visit hundreds of Haitian children the last four years to give them a reason to smile and hear that Jesus does truly love them. He explained that the magic of that Santa suit somehow makes him a better person.
Kenny went on to say to our graduates that life is going to throw all sorts of things at them, good and bad. What's most important is finding ways to serve God, to put on that thing that makes you a better person. I looked around as Kenny spoke and noticed that he held everyone's attention, especially the seniors. Afterwards I heard people say he was the best baccalaureate speaker they had ever heard. My opinion may be biased, but I agree.
SENIOR RECOGNITION BANQUET
One of the best things Davidson Academy does is the Senior Recognition Banquet. This is an event where accolades are written for each student by a teacher. I have never written one since I mostly have 8th graders, but we are offered the chance to choose the students we would like to write about. These accolades are then read aloud at the banquet to all present--seniors, family, and faculty--while the student is standing there to hear what may be among the most encouraging and inspiring words they will ever hear about themselves. I go home each year having thoroughly enjoyed the spirit of the evening.
Ben's cross country coach, Michelle Toney, chose to write about Ben and I would like to end by sharing what she wrote.
I first met Ben when he came to the first day of cross-country conditioning nearly three years ago. Ben joined the team having never ran before, I am sure by the influence of his friends. Ben quickly surprised me by his work ethic. His ability to push past pain and accomplish his goal is inspiring. Ben always showed determination during practice and races. Ben impressed me most during speed workouts. His ability to hit his goal time every repeat was incredible. He was determined to not give up. He was determined to not give up. He set the mark for others on his team. Ben is a true leader by example through his attitude, work ethic, and devotion to his team.
Ben Swann is a hard worker. He is determined, goal-oriented, and driven. Ben is a natural leader. Ben is built to be a leader due to his optimistic attitude and tenacious work ethic. He owned his responsibilities and has a tenacious attitude when it comes to personal success. He showed perseverance, dedication, and accountability that many others lack. Ben demonstrates leadership and responsibility in many ways. Ben never fails to fulfill his responsibilities, and he is always ready to work hard and give 100% of his effort. Ben carries himself with grace and shows others grace at all times. He is accepting, encouraging, supportive, and compassionate toward others, mainly due to his faith in Christ. Ben uses his faith in Christ to live out compassion, joy, and kindness daily. Ben has a servant's heart. Ben can be found helping others in many ways through acts of service. To know Ben is to see Christ. Ben is an inspiration and encouragement to those around him. There is no doubt that God has planned great things for him ahead.
SENIOR CHAPEL
As I mentioned in my opening, our Senior Chapel was Thursday. This service amounts to a passing of the torch ceremony in which the seniors come silently on stage, mostly in pairs, carrying candles. They are met by juniors who take the candles from them and then remain as the seniors leave the stage. Ben and his future roommate, Ryan, got a chuckle when they did a chest bump before walking off stage. Add a song, a prayer by one of our parents, and a 30 minutes slide show of the seniors' DA experience and we have a really moving service.
So there you have it, all the fun things going on as Ben winds down his senior year. He has one more AP exam to go and then graduation is this coming Saturday. I will miss seeing his form lumbering down the hall of the school next year.
