About ECA:

Find a Friend - Alumni Guestbook

Looking to contact a former friend or teacher? ECA maintains a database of many former (and current) student and staff members. Let us know who you are looking for and perhaps we can help: secretary@ecaspain.com.

Be sure to see Jesse's "charge" below, given at the June 7, 2006 graduation.

Alumni Bulletin Board

This is a great page for all our alumni. We know you are interested in where your classmates are around the world. A school like ours does not have 10 or 20 year reunions, so many of us have lost touch with our ECA friends. We would really enjoy hearing from everyone!

To the students of ECA
From the Jesse (last name) of 7:34, June 6, 2006

To be read at your graduation ceremony.

I did not take advantage of my high school years as I should have. I did not appreciate it for what it was, and I did not cherish every moment as it was happening. All that time well spent but not spent well. So far, I have gone through life contentedly, I listened to my teachers, I did my homework, I got to bed at a decent hour, but I didn't use what time was given to me to grow. Now, I have reached the "last time" for a lot of things and I am, for the first time, appreciating some of the most boring, humdrum, day in day out experiences. Like the last time I take my English book to class and the last time I open it, or the last time I stand at my locker after school trying to think of everything I have to take home. Even the last time I use a particular stall in the bathroom. It seems dumb to think that I will miss the first stall in the second floor bathroom, but I did not appreciate those things as I do now and I wish I had. Its the same old Carpe Diem, seize the day, cliché that you've heard before. I didn't understand it until now. Let me try to warn you:

Students,
You are a compilation of every person or event that you experience. Choose how you will let those things influence you because your now will create your later. Don't think that you will magically grow up. Everyone becomes an adult, but many never grow up.
Realize what you have while you still have it in front of you. There are few things worse than regret. Be thankful for everything you have whether it be a snow-day, assignment, or frustrating teacher. All of these events are opportunities for you to grow so take it all in and use it. God put it in your life for a reason.

Up to this point, graduating, the idea of leaving the only thing that I know for insecurities and unforseeables and a terribly great adventure, the chance to start independent life, has seemed quite bitter/sweet. Since the beginning of the first grade, every "last day of school" has been a time of rejoicing. As awful as it seems, now that I have reached the end, now that I see things for what they really are, I wish I could start over. I wish I could be thankful for every time I was spoken to, or bored, or scolded as those things happened. The only thing the student sees right now is what is due tomorrow. Life as you know it ends at graduation. I have now come to the dreadful realization that life goes on. I have lost so much. So my charge to you: Live according to God's word. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he will make your path straight.

So, this is the end. This is the last time I will address you formally. Good Bye.

Keep on Trukin',
Jesse

Links to Teachers

Mr. & Mrs. Madsen's web page - journeyofjoy.org