The day was our traditional Stepping
Stones Ceremony where we honor and celebrate each child's
completion of another year at Randolph. Every child in the
school is called up and receives a certificate and gets to
choose their own stone. The stones symbolize the stones on
the path of each child's life.
We also gathered to celebrate our first High
School Graduation. Our first two graduates are Sean and Trever.
They attended Randolph School for many wonderful years;
Sean for seven and Trever for eight. Both were accepted into
the college of their choice. Sean will continue at Indiana
University to study Recording Arts and Trever at Alfred College
to study Machinery.
Opening remarks were made by Ken Lerner, board
member and parent. Click here to read
his inspiring speech. He gave an eloquent description
of why alternative education is important for our world and
how Randolph School is fulfilling the dreams of its founders
and current community. After Ken, Trever gave a commencement
speech and Sean sang a farewell song that he composed for
the occasion. Eric Tomlins, Head of the Upper School, gave
an emotional speech of his experiences with the two graduates
over the years. Sean and Trever were each given hand painted
diplomas and picked their final stones.
The third celebration was in honor of Eric Tomlin's
30th year. Eric's mother helped found the school in 1963.
Eric was enrolled at Randolph School in its inaugural year.
He returned to teach and later become an Co-Administrator
of the school. His tireless love and absolute devotion to
the students and the school were evident in the speeches of
his friends, family, current and former students and parents.
There was much music, laughter and many warm tears flowed.
Over a hundred people of all ages gathered from
as far away as Colorado to share in the celebration of Eric's
influence on their lives. Many people got up on stage and
shared memories, sang songs, gave speeches and read poetry.
There was a magnificent pinata that was smashed and a splendid
cake consumed. The merriment went into the early morning hours.
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