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Memorable MACHE 2007 Graduation Celebrated: 78 Received Diplomas
By Renee Kumpula, mother of two graduates
Class verse: "Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and has set down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 12: 1-2)
From the mouths of the ceremony participants and the graduates themselves, the MACHE graduation ceremony on May 12, 2007, reflected words of blessing with simple eloquence. On a sunny spring day on the Bethel University campus in a northern suburb of St. Paul, both families new in their experience with home education and those home school veterans of over two decades gathered to celebrate a graduation day that would be remembered. With a class motto of "I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future" from missionary Jim Elliot, graduates were at the threshold of a new beginning.
Preparations made and plans in motion, parents and families of graduates volunteered for numerous duties throughout the months of planning. Graduation coordinators, Frank and Vonnie Blocki, worked through informational meetings and behind the scenes to ensure the program proceeded according to schedule. With pounding hearts and eager anticipation, students lined up in forest green caps and gowns, ready to march through a milestone.
Musical talent seemed to abound with the 2007 graduates. From the prelude participants to the special music performers to the entire class singing during the ceremony, it was evident that God endowed this class with many abilities. The prelude included lyrical piano solos from Alyssa Singer, "Rustles of Spring" by Christian Sinding, and Kristin Myhra, "Arabesque No. 1" by Claude Debussy; expressive vocal solos from Jennifer Ruhr, "Non Mi Dir" by Wolfgang Mozart and Benjamin Kumpula, "The Holy City" by Steven Adams; and a rousing brass trio with Paul Rothermel, his brother, and Andrew Reid, "Theme from Symphony No. 1" by Johannes Brahms and "Fanfare and Invitation" by Robert E. Foster, which heralded the beginning of the ceremony.
Families of 78 graduates watched in proud anticipation as their sons and daughters marched on the stage to "Pomp and Circumstance No. 3" accompanied by Alice Tillman, graduation accompanist. MACHE Chairman and Master of Ceremonies, Pastor David Watkins, highlighted what makes a MACHE graduation unique in his opening comments. Though all rose to pay tribute to the colors of the American flag, Watkins said the Christian flag and its Lord and Savior came first, with the crowd joining in the Christian Pledge first, and then, the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Steve Papillon, father of a graduate, offered a prayer of dedication for the ceremony that God would be glorified.
Attendees were graced with more quality music during the ceremony. Danielle Johnson, Rachel Papillon, and Laura Temte opened the ceremony with their tender rendition of Lowell Alexander’s "This Day" as a vocal trio. Mendelssohn’s "If with All Your Heart" from the oratorio Elijah with a timeless message was offered by soloist, Justin Myhra. Later, Caitlin Miller was joined by her two sisters in their vocal trio, "Bow the Knee" by Tom Fettke, a harmonious tribute to the Lord. In addition, piano solos were performed by accomplished pianists, Andrea Needham, playing Sergei Rachmaninoff’s "Polichinelle in F Sharp Minor," and Zachary Habrat, playing Johann Sebastian Bach’s "Prelude and Fugue No. 2."
This year, four speeches were offered during the ceremony. Bonnie Cofer spoke about the benefits of home education, the beauty of a Christian education, and the blessing of being taught that all truth is God’s truth. She wondered that if parents knew all that was involved in home education, if they would have continued homeschooling in the first place. In conclusion, she expressed gratefulness to parents and to the Lord. Christopher Kumpula spoke of Hebrews 12:1-2, the class verse, the shot being fired at the starting line and a foot race beginning, questioning if graduates were ready to race to ensure the freedom of home education in the future. He spoke of the perils that home education faces, of taking responsibility for ensuring educational choice in the future, and guarding themselves, their faith, and their home education. Encouraging graduates to shine as an example for others, he exhorted them to choose the right path and guard this way of life with vigilance and moral courage. Later, Lydia Henry talked of standing at the crossroads of life. She spoke of the choice between choosing to strive for secular goals or choosing to walk down a path that would be honorable to God. She challenged her classmates to testify about their faith to others and to make a difference. Finally, Mark Muha spoke of the changing seasons of life, from moving beyond childhood to adulthood. With Jim Elliot’s admonishment, "Wherever you are, be ‘all’ there," he urged classmates to use all they had learned in their education to make the world a better place by honoring God in everything. Citing a quotation from William Wallace in Braveheart, he ended with the challenge, "Set your world on fire and people will come for miles to watch you burn." Gratefulness, commitment, purpose, and resolve were common themes from the graduates.
Former Minnesota Secretary of State, Mary Kiffmeyer, served as keynote speaker and was introduced as Minnesota’s First Lady of home education. She commented about the graduate speakers being capable communicators and expressing essential concepts with eloquence including key elements of her own prepared remarks. With her positive demeanor, Former Secretary Kiffmeyer asked graduates to think about the future in terms of organizing their lives by starting at the end—thinking about and asking themselves, "Where do you want to be?" and "What is the bottom line?" She shared the history of home education in Minnesota and the sacrifices made by those who faced criminal charges for homeschooling in the early years, including her own family. Her husband, a state representative at the time, was one who worked to have a law drafted for the legalization of homeschooling in the state of Minnesota and the charges were subsequently dropped. She reminded everyone that this privilege of home education is one that has cost many a great price. Also, she reminded graduates that "one generation’s gift can be another generation’s loss" if each one does not take responsibility to sustain it by exercising "eternal vigilance." Kiffmeyer summarized the graduates’ remarks about taking responsibility as the next generation of being the torch bearers of home education. She equated life to being like an empty jar yet to be filled: first, making room for the essential and important things like God, family, future spouse and children; then with less important things in daily living that sift down and can fill the jar if one is not careful; and finally, with the Holy Spirit Who gives love and permeates the other contents in life’s jar with the spirit of love. "If we make sure we know Christ’s love in our hearts," said Kiffmeyer, "then we can reach the hearts of others." Kiffmeyer shared her personal testimony and how she became a Christian as an adult. She shared her commitment to teaching her own children about the love of the Lord, her love of sharing Christ with others, and her challenge to everyone to find opportunity do the same. Finally, she urged the next generation to take a stand, take their place, and take responsibility for the future of home education and proclaim the message of God’s love.
By the time diplomas were presented, anticipation and praise grew through the singing of the hymn, "To God Be the Glory." With smiles and some tears, parents, loved ones, and friends embraced the moment. All seemed proud of their graduates as they handed out ribbon-wrapped diplomas with words of blessing, grateful hearts, and warm hugs.
John and Lynne Cooke discussed the progression of the MACHE graduation ceremony tradition. Their scholarship is presented each year to recognize scholarship, citizenship, and Christian service. They presented the 2007 John and Lynne Cooke Scholarships to Melinda Brewer and Daniel Hage.
Graduates rose to their feet and sang "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend under the direction of Mary Gregory, mother of a graduate. Graduate voices rang out in both one voice and harmony. With the closing prayer of Pastor Arthur Matychuk, grandfather of two of the graduates, the graduates and their futures were committed to the Lord and blessed.
Near the close of the program, the audience could sense the uniqueness of each individual graduate in a video tribute offered by parents. Seeing a photo of each graduate as an infant or toddler, along with a current photo, gave the audience a glimpse of the collective talent and giftedness of the Class of 2007. Many graduates were pictured engaged in their hobbies: playing musical instruments, participating in various athletics, serving others in the community or church, and pursuing their own unique interests. One could not help but be impressed with the broad talents and great potential of the Class of 2007—and how these men and women might impact the world in the future.
Pastor David Watkins presented the graduates and directed them to move their tassels. With a final toss of green caps and cheers abounding, the Class of 2007 strode boldly out of Benson Hall—and out into the world. In the spirit of the class verse and in the words of a graduate, "Today, the shot is fired; today, a new race begins." May they run the race of life with their eyes fixed on Jesus and may they bring glory and honor to Him!
A mother’s reflection: We graduated our last two sons and purposed to help launch them into whatever God holds for them. I treasured every moment with these precious gifts that God gave to us. I knew in my heart that they were ours but for a moment—they were "on loan" from God. As parents, we are simply caretakers of His children—they are His, not ours. We started 21 years ago without knowing where our homeschool journey would take us. We, like many others, took one year, one child at a time. More than one graduate parent has told me tearfully that they homeschooled their sons and daughters to preserve them for God’s purpose, knowing that they would have lost those children without committing to this task. Many of us who persevere in this lifestyle choice do so with an honest appraisal of the stakes involved. We do so to preserve and protect our children so they can choose to follow the Lord of their own free accord. Once we have completed this task, we can rest in the Lord, knowing, as Hannah, that as long as they live, they are "dedicated to the Lord." (1 Samuel 1:28) It has been a lovely journey and it went by ever so quickly. As we "let go, and let God," each of us parents can also claim the class motto, "I know not what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future."
Additional note: More than half of the parents of graduates chose to participate in a homeschooling survey in order to capture basic demographic information about homeschooling. This information will assist in understanding the experience of those who home educate in Minnesota. Stay tuned for an article summarizing the survey results in the next newsletter.
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Copyright 2007, MACHE
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