It is the end of the 2008-2009 school session, and normally I would be writing about all the many successes and accomplishments of the student body during this school session and posting many pictures of the students in all their glory.  And make no bones about it - there are plenty of reasons to parade our student body in front of the world and say, "Look at us!! We have done SO well this year!!" because the MHS student body has done an exceptional job - again - to excel inside and outside the classroom. Percentages state that with a large student body, there are a certain number who will do quite well. We had enough awards to fill THREE awards ceremonies this year.  Most every sport on campus played in some sort of championship game or tournament. EVERY senior got a college scholarship. Overall, it was one of the most productive years MHS has ever had in its long history.

 But ..... (sound of the other shoe dropping)

Percentages also state that with such a large student body, not everything will be all roses and ice cream for the entire year.  With all of the successes that the school has had this year, it has been one of the toughest and most devastating years in our history.  Three of our juniors have befallen very drastic, life altering situations - including death.  I often use the term "education outside the classroom" when I am talking about the MHS experience.  Usually that refers to saving a creek or donating time to the local animal shelter,  but this year it means learning how to cope with the suddenness of extreme trauma and even the death of a fellow classmate.  Students have learned that we all have to stick together as a class, as a school, and as a family to get through these very difficult times.  And the ability to do it with our students and classmates makes such times more bearable.  There is no class named "Growing Up and Learning Life Lessons the Hard Way", but the students - and even some of the younger teachers like myself - have had to learn some of those lessons very quickly this year.

MHS is planning and hopes that the 2009-2010 school session is as much, if not more, productive than last year.  And no matter what we have already endured, we all know that the sun will set on this time of our lives and the coming sunrise tomorrow always holds the promise of new hope and an opportunity to be much, much better.

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News and Upcoming Events

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/whittengraves

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Much has been dedicated in this space to Whitten's well being and what is going on in the hospital.  Important as that is, there are others that we should be concerned and thinking about at this time - his immediate family.  Although many know Whitten's father by name when it is mentioned, everyone in the MHS family knows his mother.  Kalen, who has been relaying much of the information that you hear and read here and on the Caringbridge site, is also the mother who made sure that Alden had lunch money at basketball camp Wednesday afternoon and the guidance director that verified report cards went out on schedule Thursday - even as her son was unconscious in ICU.  She is the counselor that made sure the MHS faculty was prepared to handle an emotionally shattered student body in the wake of Colby Mason's death. She is the same person that every single high school student has personally visited with to make sure they were on track to graduate by their senior year. And this is the same person who, just two weeks ago was helping students figure out if they need to take Mr. Coleman's history class or Mr. Dees' chemistry class during 4th period, is now having to make decisions that should only - and could only - be made by God concerning Whitten's care. Like all parents in this situation, she is scared when Whitten is out of sight in surgery or ICU, but she has been very strong for Alden and the rest of the MHS family.  And although He already has a plan for Whitten, we pray that Kalen, Bob and Alden have His Devine guidance in the coming days ahead and an uncertain future.

So when you say your prayers this evening, remember that there are healthy people who are still hurting badly tonight and really need the comfort and guidance that only the Lord can give.