ASEZ STAR, the student volunteer group of the Church of God, held a Teacher Appreciation Luncheon in Newport News. The event welcomed educators, community members, and students into a warm, thankful space filled with music, laughter, and recognition.
The program started with student hosts, who shared ASEZ STAR’s mission to spread love through service. The group’s energy was contagious from the start. A round of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” was a fun and lighthearted icebreaker, sparking conversation and setting a welcoming tone for the afternoon.
Students then shared original poems that expressed their personal gratitude for the guidance, kindness, and patience their teachers have shown. These moving moments gave everyone a chance to reflect on the impact educators make every day. The students performed choir renditions of “Amazing Grace” and “You Raise Me Up,” followed by two instrumental pieces, “Salut d’Amour” and “Song from a Secret Garden.”
Messages That Last Beyond the Day
Principal Ebony Griffin from Jenkins Elementary School and Dr. Sylvia Rose from Hampton University shared their thoughts from the event. Dr. Rose said she felt deeply touched by the student voices and the warmth of the room. “What touched my heart the most was when I saw all the little ones talking about what teachers mean to them,” Dr. Rose shared. “It reminds us that every day in the classroom is a chance to make a difference.”
Stefan Granner, one of the student performers, also reflected on the event: “I hope that the guests felt warmly welcomed here in this church—maybe for the first time.”
This luncheon was part of the ASEZ STAR Good Student campaign that focuses on gratitude. The event showed how the youth can lead the way in saying thank you and recognizing the work of those who help shape their futures.
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