On January 4th, 2013 the CPCS Bothell campus welcomed back over 35 of the high school alumni for the annual Alumni Conference. Individuals from the graduating classes of 2000 through the class of 2012 returned to Cedar Park to share about their college experiences and bestow wisdom they have gained since graduation upon the current high school students. To thank the alumni for giving back to the school the high school Leadership class hosted an alumni luncheon where the CPCS graduates were able to reconnect with former classmates, teachers, and administrators.
The purpose of the Alumni Conference is to help the current high school students find out more about college, the various opportunities available to them following high school, and the steps it takes to be successful and serve Christ through ones education and work. The conference began with a special chapel where Jeremy Vallerand (Class of 2000) shared with the students about the values instilled in him and the lessons learned while he was at Cedar Park that contributed to his development in becoming the person he is today. Jeremy earned his bachelors at Trinity Western University and went on to get a masters in International Relations and Diplomacy and currently works at a non-profit organization that serves the victims of human trafficking. He expressed examples of Christ’s love to the students through engaging examples and a call to action to be imaging Christ in their daily lives.
Following the chapel service an alumni panel answered a variety of questions ranging from what it was like to live with a roommate to how Cedar Park Christian equipped them for college both academically and spiritually. In order for students to get more individualized questions answered and hear more in depth discussions on their areas of interest each student attended three breakout sessions. With over twenty categories to choose from the high school students were able to find out valuable information about a variety of college related topics including Scholarships and Paying for College, Choosing a Major, Internships, Study Abroad Programs, Collegiate Athletics and SAT Tips and Tricks.
Each year the event leaves an impact on the high school students by opening their eyes to unique opportunities that they may have not been aware of or that they had overlooked. CPCS is blessed with alumni who continue to invest in the school through both this event and in their daily lives.
Sarah Heindel, Astrid Olsen, Kelsey Dill and Amy Martin haven’t changed a bit!