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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17 Responses
What a gorgeous event!
I agree the event is so beautiful!
Wow this is Awesome~!
This was such a beautiful event! I am so thankful my children and in laws were able to attend!❤️❤️❤️
This was such a beautiful event! I am so thankful my children and in laws were able to attend!❤️
I remember attending the event last year! The performances were so touching and everything was so well prepared. I definitely plan to attend the next one!
Me too!
What a great and beautiful church! Staying connected and sharing appreciation to the teachers is something I wished I could’ve don’t for my teachers when I was younger! I’m glad there’s a church making effort to connect the community and doing great works by teaching the youth to show appreciation to the ones who care and teach! Wonderful.
My mom who was a teacher attended and loved the music! Its nice to see people who care in this world and the facilities were top notch. It was like a restraunt and banquet hall feeling. I hope to come back soon.
What an awesome way to give back to the teachers. Keep up the good work!!
The students really did a great job. It’s really refreshing to see young people want to do good things for others these days!
I am so happy to see some kind of event like this presented to teachers by the students. I used to be a substitute teacher and many days of teaching can be exhausting. However, to see younger people show gratitude and giving thanks to the teachers is something that is outstanding in our times.
The World Mission Society really installs great morals into our newer generation. I’m glad to see that they put Heavenly Mothers teachings in to practice. I hope that through all of the joint efforts, there will be many people who will feel the love of Heavenly Mother.
Keep up the great work. You will accomplish great things when you are working together in unity.
-Johnathon M.
That was an amazing event 🩷
This event is and will always be so memorable! Beautifully put together. The kids did such an amazing job!
I remember this was such an amazing event very heartfelt and even the kids did an amazing job
This was an amazing event. It’s always great to see young people doing positive things.
This was an amazing event, everything was beautiful and well organized. I’m
very thankful I was able to attend. I also learned about amazing truths in the Bible that aren’t taught anywhere else. I recommend attending of the Church of God events .