Campus celebrates 26th annual Grandparent’s Day 

Over 1200 people are expected to attend the 26th annual campus Grandparent’s Day celebration, Sept. 22. Fresno Christian prepares for a morning of worship, fellowship, and fun, as grandparents explore the academic world of their grandchild.

While the national celebration of Grandparent’s Day is Sept. 10, FC traditionally choses to celebrate a few weeks later. According to The Spruce, holiday’s purpose is “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.” 

The activities on campus directly reflect the meaning of the day. From class activities to experiencing a student-run worship chapel, Sept. 22, this special day represents a day set aside to honor grandparents and give them a glimpse into current student life.

Over the years, spending Grandparent’s Day with his six grandchildren on campus still is a unique day for Pete Degroot.

“Grandparent’s Day is a special day,” Degroot said. “We can be with our grandkids, while they share with us what is new at Fresno Christian, and what goes on in the classroom. We as grandparents can support and pray for them as they learn about God, and excel in education.”

Grandparents are scheduled to arrive at Building 6 in the courtyard, between 9 and 9:30 a.m., picking up a schedule along with coffee and pastries. They will attend a music chapel with their student, where the high school worship team intends to lead them in a morning of worship through song.

Awaiting their return are the students’ classrooms, where grandparents get a chance to influence the students’ learning experience. Most kids enjoy allowing the role models in their lives and a quick look at the activities they experience daily.

Fourth grader Brooklyn Medeiros brought her grandparent to the event last year. She looks forward to sharing her classrooms with them, and all the activities she takes part in.  

“My favorite part of Grandparent’s Day is them coming to my classrooms,” Medeiros said. “And seeing all the stuff that I do. Last year I liked doing a word search with them in my class.”

Superintendent’s assistant, Christy Rocca, gives some insight on why grandparents continue to attend the event.

“It’s great to involve the next generation,” Rocca said. “The parents of Fresno Christian students get to be here a lot, but grandparents don’t feel like they can drop in as much. It’s fun to open up the campus and let them see what their grandchild does on a daily basis.”

Rocca has received positive feedback by many of the grandparents who participated in the past.

“They love to spend time with their grandchildren,” Rocca said. “Most of them are just grateful to see how God is moving at the school, and what He is doing in their grandchildren’s lives. They love to be apart of that, even if it’s just for a long morning.”

Grandparents day presents opportunities for grandparents to make memories, and an opportunity to honor the grandparents in students’ lives. But the day also affects those who no longer experience a grandparent’s presence.

With her grandparents out of state, Deborah Ingerson, ‘20, reveals what saddens her about spending Grandparent’s Day without them.

“My grandparents live in Michigan,” Ingerson said. “My grandma came to one Grandparent’s Day when I lived in Louisiana, but I wish my grandparents could be here so that they could be more apart of my life than they are now.”

Lunch with grandparents begins at 11:40 a.m. and extends to 12:30 p.m.  Fresno Christian intends to provide boxed lunches, with pinwheel sandwiches, pasta salad, and a cookie.

There is no RSVP required; grandparents arrive between 9 and 9:30 a.m. for coffee and pastries, and can pick up a copy of their student’s schedule. They are also encouraged to come back to campus the same night to watch the football game against Mammoth and catch a special elementary cheer presentation at halftime. Gates open at 6 p.m. for concessions. Tickets are $3 for seniors and students, $5 for adults. FC students are free with their ID.

This writer can be reached via email: Addison Schultz.

For more articles, read Fresno Area College Night showcases 100 colleges. For more news articles, read Fresno Pacific representative visits campus.