There’s no doubt that our experiences in youth helped mold the adults we grow into.  FCS played a large role for me, as I suspect it did for most of you.  A small private school afforded opportunities that otherwise may have not been available.  If I had attended public school, I might have ridden the pines instead of sinking the front end of a 1 and 1 in a tie game with six seconds left to knock Wilmington Christian off.  I probably would’ve methodically attended my required classes instead of tutoring and mentoring some of the younger kids.  I might have even missed the chance to pick up Sub Day supplies the day Richard Henry wrecked the school van!  Good times!  (Update on Rich – he’s doing the Lord’s work, helping troubled churches get back on track.  He’s been a pastor for over 20 years!  It was great to catch up with you!)  And we can’t forget the Kinsey sandwich – Mr. Smith’s coined phrase for me opening Bible class in prayer, and my brother Steve closing.

As with most things in life, not everything could go according to plan during our school years.  Even so, I think an appreciation of FCS, and what our parents sacrificed to send us there should help us reflect fondly on those years.  It also helps drive me to organize a successful alumni association…one that will serve the past graduates as well as provide funding to make our school more successful.  I would like to invite and encourage everyone to get involved where they can, and support us if they can’t.  Please keep an eye out for our email announcements, and enjoy our first newsletter, which I might add is complimentary.  In 2009, the newsletter will be available to those who choose to join the Alumni Association for an annual $10 fee. 

THANKS, EVERYONE!  I HOPE TO SEE YOU AT AN EVENT SOON!

-Denny Kinsey (1981)

Hey everyone!

I was excited to hear about the FCS Alumni Association being formed. I was equally thrilled to hear that my old buddy Denny has been heading up the project along with the more than capable assistance of Mary and Michelle and a host of others.

I was especially honored to have gotten an email last night from Denny, asking me to write the first “Guest Column”. In the past two years I have rediscovered my passion for writing and so it was no problem whatsoever for me to offer this initial column. I can’t wait to hear from old friends and see who writes here next month. I want to introduce this article with a wonderful song from the Late Rich Mullins, it’s called “Hello Old Friends” Here we go…

Hello old friends
There's really nothing new to say
But the old, old story bears repeating
And the plain old truth grows dearer every day
When you find something worth believing
Well, that's a joy that nothin' could take away

And so we meet again
After all these many years
Did we sow the seeds we're reaping
Now that the harvest calls us here
It seems that love blooms out of season
And much joy can blossom from many tears

So old friends you must forget what you had to forgive
And let love be stronger than the feelings
That rage and run beneath the bridge
Knowin' morning follows evening
Makes each new day come as a gift

It would be an understatement to say that Rich Mullins was my favorite Christian artist. Other than my dear friend Rick Elias, nobody has ever touched my soul the way Rich did. He was a man of humility, grace and was an incredible wordsmith.

I was thinking of this song when Denny asked me to write these words. “Hello old friends”. It’s so fitting for these lines I am penning and for this newsletter. What seems so strange to me is how quickly we have all become old friends. Denny and I graduated 27 years ago. The first graduating class walked the aisle 30 years ago this past May. Some moments are frozen in time and, to me at least, so are some people. I saw Keith Wilson, an original FCS grad from that first fledgling class, this past summer. To me he is no different than the same gregarious, fun loving, baseball fanatic that he was when I was in school with him and classmates with his brother Ken. It’s funny how we remember things and people and times as we lived them or loved them. No matter how many times I visit Fairwinds Baptist Church, Pastor Carlo will always be “Mr. Clean”, my principal, always on the prowl for that one straggling hair extending over my collar or over my ear.

Rich wrote: “The old, old story bears repeating, and the plain old truth grows dearer every day.” How fitting again. Those old stories about the early, formative days of FCS. We were “crash test dummies” in so many ways. So many things we did that I know Pastor Carlo just cringes over when he thinks back. (I know because we’ve laughed about them together when I’ve come home for visits.) But they bear repeating because through good and bad we were all part of something endearing and special. We all grew up together and now we come back together as adults, bound by the common thread of our school, and the folks who touched our lives through the years. We remember lessons we never thought we would, and it is sometimes surprising who we think of and who we end up missing after time passes. Being so far from home, (I reside in Nashville) I often comfort my homesickness with fond memories, many of my days at FCS, and the friends I made.

“And so we meet again…after all these many years…”

It’s good to be amongst all of you again, and I look forward to seeing familiar faces from time to time. We will doubtless reflect on our lives, relive our past, and share our dreams, failures, and victories… “And much joy will blossom from many tears”.

Love to all,

Craig

Our first fundraising effort was a big success on many fronts.  Most importantly, the name of the Lord was glorified, and those who attended were greatly blessed!

We enjoyed a fabulous lineup of FCS graduates, who sang for the glory of the Lord.  Many thanks to Tracey Colon, Joyce Turner, Jenn Lee, Magen Michael, Andrea Bradigan, Stephanie Robinson, and of course, Calling Levi! (Rumor has it that Steph was seen talking to a record producer after the show!)

We saw a few old faces that haven't been to the school for a while, and this is something we would like to focus on for upcoming events.  I'm happy to report that I was not the oldest graduate in attendance.  That "honor" went to Faith Ammerman Michael!  Thanks, Faith!

Praise the Lord for the $970 we were able to raise for the school.  We were able to achieve this while keeping expenses at $0!  Everything needed to organize the event was completely donated by grads, Calling Levi, and Chick-Fil-A!

After attending Wilmington Christian School for six years, Dean transferred to Fairwinds Christian School in the fall 1975.   Three very memorable years later, he had the privilege of being the first graduate of the school in 1978.

One year after graduation, Dean attended Baptist Bible College of PA for two years.  While there, he met his wife, Joann.  They were married May 23, 1981.

After working for TriMark Publishing for a short time, Dean & Joann moved to Elyria, Ohio, where he learned the real meaning of winter and snow!  After working for ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) for nine months, it was time to start working indoors again.  He worked three years for a commercial printing company and then started working in the print shop/mailroom of the home office of Baptist Mid-Missions.  After nine years of service there, Dean & Joann were called to be the Awana missionaries in northern Ohio.  They have served with Awana for the past 14 years.

Dean & Joann have three children, Jessica (27), Shannon (25), and Ken (23) and two grand-children, Andrew (3) and Bethany (9 months)!  Jessica and her husband, Jonathan, live in Elkhart, IN., with Andrew and Bethany.  Shannon works for Victory Ranch Camp in Moreno Valley, CA.  Ken moved back home after graduation from BBC, PA.  He is currently employed by Sam’s Club.

When not on the road for Awana, Dean enjoys the outdoors as much as possible.  His getaway is working in the garden, playing golf, and visiting the grand-kids!  Occasionally he checks his Facebook account!

Some great memories of High School was “The Chinese Fire Drill”, the lunchtime hockey games, each soccer season (especially the one game that made The News Journal – “OOOOOOOOOOOOh What a Soccer Game”), the day the old building was shut down by the building inspectors, the short stay over at New Castle Baptist, the Hal Webb Evangelistic team, and selling light bulbs as a fund raiser for the Senior Trip.

Contact Dean at deanb@awana.org

Dean's Time Capsule:

Diploma

Cap and Gown

Graduation Program

Invitation to "Hawaiian Knights" Jr./Sr. Banquet

"Date" pic from Hawaiian Knights banquet

Sports letter and pins

First jacket patches for soccer and basketball

Knight's helmet jacket patch

1976-1978 Yearbooks

Miscellaneous Pics