Valley
Students Keep it Real
Living lives that exemplify the way of the Lord
by
Erin Parker
The theme “Get Real”
was introduced at the beginning of the year as a guideline for
students to live their lives without a cover or a mask. Now as
the year begins to unfold, students and faculty begin to incorporate
this year’s theme into their daily lives and classrooms.
Senior Ben Walker believes that this is a principle that resonates
with Valley Christian students. “(Unless) the theme is addressed
specifically in Chapel, or announcements, we might address it
in class. I have been informed of issues and I have to know who
and what I am and what I stand for. Being real is a part of being
real intellectually and spiritually. This to me is more important;
to know what I believe, and that is what the world sees. Your
beliefs influence your actions as seen through history and government.”
As stated by Walker, it is stressed within history classes to
see the honesty in your decision-making. Mr. Judge, who teaches
AP European History and AP Government, wants his students to be
people of integrity. “I want my students to think and have
a dialogue that is applicable in history and is authentic. The
consequence of people’s decisions in my government class
applies also in life.” He stated that the quality of a person
who is truly real is someone who knows the facts and who can relate
the information in their own sense of biblical perspective. “This
is why we are here,” said Judge. “We want to be educated
so we can make stronger decisions on what we know as fact.”
Mr. Judge teaches students to think and use what they know and
learn and apply it to their lives. “This especially applies
to seniors, who are about to start a career or college life. They
can carry on their sense of integrity and carry it with them in
their daily lives. We have a good senior class, and they know
what it takes to walk a good Christian life.”
Continuing on through the history department, freshman Global
Studies teacher Mr. Falkowski continues to use this year’s
theme in his life as well. “The students are always being
real with me, and if they talk to me or explain issues, I try
to accept this and work with them rather than having a negative
or harsh attitude.” Falkowski declares that being real is
not everything that looks good on the outside, but rather how
real you are with Jesus. Mr. Falkowski jokes, “The last
time I heard, He wouldn’t reject you if you came to him.”
One of the things Mr. Falkowski observed happening among the students
is that they pretend to be someone else when they are around their
friends. “Students know they need to stick up for what is
right, and I’ve seen that students are very good at accepting
what they know is wrong. Students will be the one to pay a price
eventually for what they do, and it won’t be us old people’s
faults either, because we’ll be gone.” Although Mr.
Falkowski likes to joke and is a hilarious teacher, he warns students
to “not think higher of yourself and be proud. Never underestimate
who you are either because Jesus didn’t. When Jesus died,
he paid a high price for our salvation.” Mr. Falkowski wanted
it to be clear to students that no matter who we are, “we
are somebody! You have to understand who Jesus was and who He
is today with reverence and fear, but openly. If you are open
with Him, then you will find a way to be open with people and
be truly real.
