Lauralton Hall

At the beginning of sophomore year, I was sitting in my room with my best friend, Campbell Ryan, most likely talking aimlessly about an assignment that was due or what we were planning to do that weekend. 

At some point, Campbell brought up a phrase you have probably heard countless times: “Everything happens for a reason.”

Every May, I have the privilege of watching our seniors cross the stage and handing each of them their diploma. It is one of the most moving moments of my year. 

In that single walk, you can see four years at once: the late nights and early mornings, the friendships forged in the hallways, the questions asked in classrooms and chapel, the moments of doubt and of triumph. And then, finally, the diploma placed in her hands.

Endings and beginnings are rarely simple. Even the happy ones can feel surprisingly emotional. 

As spring turns into summer, many families find themselves standing at the edge of transition: graduations, final performances, move-out days, first jobs, college decisions, or simply the realization that life is about to look different from what it did before. 

For students, these moments are exciting — but they can also bring uncertainty, self-doubt, and anxiety. And for parents, watching it unfold can stir up emotions of our own. 

A few weeks ago, a group of Lauralton students boarded a plane to Guatemala with a concept in mind: a fun trip with friends. What they returned with was something much harder to name — and much more lasting.