For the First Time in Forever

By Eleanor Emis

“Open up the gates!” sang Anna in the Disney movie Frozen. The song “For the first time in forever” played repeatedly in my head while I surveyed the campus full of smiles. Students roamed the campus freely alongside their parents who walked the school halls to visit teachers. But instead of Elsa’s younger sister singing with glee, the Dalat community was rejoicing at the opened gates of the school.

It has been three years since parents, students, and staff have been able to fellowship with one another in the comfort of Dalat’s campus. Due to COVID-19's mandatory regulations, the school had no choice but to close its doors to any socialization that required large amounts of people. Prohibited social gatherings include sports functions, fundraisers, food fairs, and especially open house. 

Returning students felt a sense of DeJa'Vu and surrealistic emotions. Kathryn Boyd (11) expressed her moment of excitement: “It felt memorable and nostalgic because it reminded me of the days before covid. Having everyone on campus felt more lively.” 

In past years, “Open House” has been an opportunity for students' parents to visit their teachers so that they can learn more about what their children are to be taught at school. They can meet with the teacher individually in their classroom and discuss the planned curriculum for the next semester. 

However, Open House was not originally designed to be a parent teacher conference, but more of a community gathering that allowed the staff and families to connect. Middle and high school students and their entire families are invited to the party. Sometimes on campus, you can see as little as newborns held in their mothers' arms to grandparents visiting family. 

Excited for fellowship and camaraderie, David Kilgo (12) said, “I really look forward to open house because it gives me the opportunity to spend time with friends and introduce the Dalat community to family and friends.” 

Aside from students who had experienced the joy of Open House before in past years, new students and families were able to share this jubilation. New student Alia Peterson (12) shared in her bliss of her first ever experience of Open House: “It was really great to see so many people on campus socializing, playing sports and having fun.” 

Encouraged and hopeful, the Dalat community has made a triumphant return of bringing back its most loved traditions. Re-connecting with each other in fellowship is a key part of growth and success in having a stable relationship with each other. As Anna in Frozen sung “For the First time in Forever” we too can be grateful that the gates have opened so that Dalat can do what it does best: demonstrating love for Christ while in authentic community with one another.