Class of 2008 - Truly Unique!
Friday, June 6th, 2008 Dateline: June 5, 2008 - For the first time, Sahel’s graduation ceremony was held on the “green”, a beautiful patch of grass in the center of the campus which stands out from all the sand around it as a cool green oasis. 
Especially unique this year: instead of ceremoniously marching down the aisle, the graduates arrived from across the campus on camels. This year’s graduating class consisted of three boys, all of whom have grown up in Africa since they were infants. Each one in some way commented that he was not at all saddened at what he had missed by not growing up in North America, but felt that he has been blessed by all that he has gained by growing up in Africa. Pray for these three graduates who are now saying good-bye to their home of the last 18 years.
The following 2008 Staff Commendation was written and delivered by secondary Science teacher Ray White.
“The seniors three are very unique individuals in that they have spent most of their lives in Africa. Matt was born in Sierra Leone, Adam was born in Tennessee and came to Africa at a very young age. Jonathan was born in Montreal, Quebec and came to Benin at age 3 months. Adam entered Sahel Academy in the 1st grade, Matt in the 5th, and Jonathan in the 12th. I have had the privilege of teaching all 3; Matt and Adam chemistry and all 3 physics. I have seen them mature quite a bit during that time…
“All made significant contributions to class; most were good, but some were not so good. Matt and Adam had the most accidents during lab but were very good at helping others with math problems, even me. Adam added tremendously to the class atmosphere with his constant sarcasm and dry wit.
“At the end of the 2nd semester of chemistry, I told the students that the exam would be open book and open note. That didn’t help Matt and Adam that much because they didn’t have any notes. When Jonathan joined the physics class, I gave him the option of choosing lab partners. He made a questionable choice when he selected Matt and Adam. When they turned in their lab reports, Matt and Adam’s met minimum requirements but Jonathan would submit a book. I don’t think that Matt and Adam ever allowed Jonathan to become a yak brother.
“All three contributed significantly to their softball team’s taking first place in the NUTS tournament. Adam was the leader of the Gray Goats who won the overall competition for field day. All three are interested in going into a math or physics related field.
“Now for some information about each one:
“Matt went through 3 evacuations, two of which were serious. The family lost everything. When Matt and his family were getting settled in Michigan when he was 5 years old, he asked his mother if they were going to stay until the rebels arrived. Matt likes most anything that deals with numbers. He likes computer strategy games. He is quickly becoming a fan of the Detroit Pistons and Red Wings. He looks forward to spending time with his older brother and sister back in Michigan. He has enjoyed going to the bush with his parents while here in Africa. He is a University of Michigan fan as is evidenced by the hat he wears most of the time. He despises red clothing. Last year when he was placed on the red intramural team, he had to go searching for a red shirt. Matt plans to go to a community college in Michigan and eventually end up at the University of Michigan where he plans to go into the math/physics field. I think he will end up being a statistician for the University of Michigan and also an entrepreneur for “M go Blue paraphernalia.
“Matt, I would like for you to take these verses with you. Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thes 5: 16-22.
“Jonathan likes tennis and softball, working on the computer as well as reading. He is very friendly. Normally, every morning he and I would arrive at school at about the same time and he would always greet me. He likes to organize events for people. He is very considerate of others. He worked with a church PA system in Montreal as well as the one here at school. He has worked on a yearbook committee and done public service to raise funds for an orphanage in Cotoneau. At times he has suffered with asthma and allergies.His favorite foods are pate rouge (a corn dish), spicy foods and pizza. He hates rawvegetables, onions, agouti (a field rat delicacy) and gombo.Jonathan plans to do a gap year in Montreal, get involved with a church youth group and then pursue a co-op program at either McGill or Concordia University. He would like to also attend Bible school for a year. He hopes to end up as a mechanical engineer. I think, because of his eloquence and language ability in both English and French, that he should become a speech writer for the Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.
“Jonathan, these verses are for you: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Col 3: 16-17.
“Adam has been at Sahel the longest. His first time to live in the dorm was in 1991. He likes cheese and meat but hates vegetables. He likes softball and football, most computer and video games, math, Tennessee Titans, cars, wrestling, dry humor, the color black, hooded sweat shirts, Harry Potter and Ted Dekker, and quips on T-shirts. He dislikes soccer, people who are oblivious, waking up (alarm clocks), the color yellow, manual labor, Idrissa’s fried rice, and Chantelle’s tea. Adam plans to go to technical school in Iowa to become a radiologist. If you want to glow in the dark, look up Adam in 3 to 4 years. I’ve encouraged him to become a physics teacher but he doesn’t think that he has the patience.
“Adam, take heed of these verses: But you, man of God, flee from all this (the love of money and possessions), and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6: 11-12.
“May the Lord richly bless all of you and keep you close to Him all the days of your life.”