Senior Dinner
Larry Hewett, Civic Club Development Officer
"A hole in your soul"
It all came together last night (May 24, 2001)! I attended my first "senior dinner," a night when the high school and college seniors are honored, and it was wonderful. One of our co-workers, Jimmy Tutor, has a saying about senior dinner, "If you go to the senior dinner and don't cry, you must have a hole in your soul!" Well, I don't have a hole in my soul!
The evening, as I'm told, always a special campus event to recognize the seniors, seemed to have just a little more "specialness" in the air as we were told that it would be held in the fellowship hall of the chapel that continues in the construction process. Wondering how this would happen (I had walked through the fellowship hall at lunchtime and it was not ready for use as a meeting place!) seemed to be on the minds of several. But we underestimated the desire of Mr. Sherman, our President/CEO, to make this evening one to remember for our seniors. By 6 p.m., the still concrete floor had been thoroughly cleaned, the ceiling tiles all in place, the gold wall sconces fitted with lights, tables and chairs set up, and the Boys and Girls Home logo on the back wall brightly lit! It was a moment in history!
There were four of them, three high school and one college. They sat at the head table with Mr. and Mrs. Sherman, and Becky Wray. They waited for their special seafood meal while we, staff and other residents, dined on grilled hamburger and hotdogs. When the meal was finished, the tears began!
A staff member and resident, had been had been designated to speak on behalf of each senior. Following their remarks, members in the audience could speak about them. Then the seniors themselves could say what they felt. It just ripped at your heart!
They told of coming to Boys and Girls Homes and how much they didn't want to be here. How they kept waiting for their parent(s) to say they could come home, but how it never happened. They told of their acceptance that Boys and Girls Homes was the best place for them. The college senior even told of being "kicked out" of Boys and Girls Homes because she refused to comply with behavior that some felt was in her best interest. She told how, after several years, she returned to work in the Country Store and talked with Mr. Sherman about getting her GED and college degree. With Mr. Sherman's help, she did both! They all told how they had found love, acceptance, and motivation at Boys and Girls Homes. And now, they find a future!
It was an evening I will always remember. Since taking this job in October, I must admit, there have been times when I drove hours away to visit a civic group and didn't get home until 1:30 a.m., or gave up my weekend with my family to attend a convention, that I've wondered "why am I doing this?" It all came together last night! It is to give those children a chance. One they do appreciate. And one that will change their lives, and ours, forever.
Civic clubs, you make this happen! I wish you could have been here to see what I saw! Thanks for the tremendous opportunities you provide our children. They are thankful!