First Day Traditions

The first day came, and the students began filing in. We were all so eager to see them! The campus looked wonderful (look at all that new grass!), but it's nothing without the kids.

My sweet friend L worked all the day before up into the night painting our logo in the new sports complex outside the theater.

We all assembled in the theater, and it was packed!

CC has never had a stage to give his first day talk!

And then we began our traditional first day thankfulness walk. One lap around the campus, praying, or being silent, as we think about how grateful we are for this place and the year ahead. Firstborn was chosen to carry the Oasis flag. And a sweet guy, the son of a 9-11 victim, carried our Turkish flag.

We all gathered in front of the administrative entrance for the Oasis cheer, then the first day...finally....started!