by Erica Largent, King’s Schools International Student Coordinator 

As we continue deeper into the 21^st century, the importance of developing an international mindset grows at an accelerating speed. Here at King’s Schools, I am thrilled that we get to inspire and equip students from across Seattle and around the world, embracing the challenges of developing young adults ready for the internationalized landscape of the future.

Equipping comes not only through our curriculum, but also in the way our children develop friendships among schoolmates. This can be difficult to do across cultural lines. We tend to make friends with people that are similar to us. Sometimes, the further you travel outside of your culture, the more difficult it is to find those relationship-building, shared connection points.

Not only that, but different cultures have different ways of creating community and approaches to friendships. In some cultures, people tend to be more open with acquaintances and develop friendships quickly with a new acquaintance. In other cultures, true friendships take substantial time to develop as trust builds over multiple interactions. There are different ways to demonstrate friendship, too, which don’t always translate well to other cultures!

So, how can we inspire our children (and ourselves) to better reach out to the increasingly diverse group of peers around us?

1. Be intentional. Encourage your child to get to know as many kids around them at school. Take the time to research cuisine options and cultural events around your city that your family wouldn’t otherwise seek out, and talk with the individuals working there. Look for movies, TV shows, and books from other countries, many of which are available (either translated or in original language with subtitles) online or at your local library. Invite the new family from overseas to dinner in your home. Open your family to what exists outside of your own cultural bubble!
2. Be authentic. Each individual has their own beliefs and habits and idiolect. Although your child represents a facet of your culture, they do not need to feel the pressure of trying to be an ambassador for your culture—and they shouldn’t expect their friends and classmates to be an ambassador for their particular cultures, either.
3. Be grace-full. With different cultures, you can anticipate additional disconnects or bumps in the relationship. Cultural norms for relationships are not all universal. There are different expectations, values, and behaviors from culture to culture. Sometimes, this results in misattributions that end up harming an intercultural relationship. Encourage your child to talk about those potential differences with their friends as they learn to work through conflict, restore relationships, and show grace for unintentional offences.

Need a little more guidance or support as you start exploring? There are a lot of great resources out there for this very purpose, but I’d suggest starting with Patty Lane’s . I hope you’ll be inspired to invite new friends into your life, and make this big world just a little bit smaller!

Erica Largent serves as King’s International Student Coordinator, working with the international students, families and host families in our schools. A third-culture kid herself, she loves helping newcomers to Seattle acclimate to our unique culture here and grow confident sharing their unique self with their new community.

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by King’s High School Senior Cameron Crispeno

“Stop for the One,” King’s High School chapel theme for 2017-18, crossed the ocean to land at Kings. Heidi Baker, founder of based in Pemba, Mozambique, has shaped her ministry around this principle. She makes a practice of seeing the person right in front of her, stopping for them and showing them attention and love. She has seen God work in amazing ways when she does this. I have had the privilege of traveling to Mozambique the last two summers and have been so inspired by Heidi’s principle and example that it seemed a fitting theme to explore in this year’s chapels.

This summer, our small mission group of five happened to be on the same flight leaving Mozambique as Heidi, and even though I am sure she was tired and would have welcomed time to herself on the plane ride, she made a point (when she found out we had been in Pemba) to spend the flight getting to know our group and me personally. She asked a lot of questions, showed interest in each of us individually and encouraged us to live love and what we believe. Learning about us, encouraging us and loving on us was an expression of the very motto she lives by: Stop for the One.

As the Spiritual Life Representative for KHS, I am charged with coming up with the year’s chapel theme. I wanted something challenging and accessible and something everyone could participate in, regardless of their belief system. Stopping for the one seemed to fit these parameters. Many people today feel isolated, alone, overwhelmed, and unloved. Rather than making love something abstract or complicated, this idea makes it simple. Stopping for the person right in front of you, paying attention to them and seeing where that leads is something everyone can do. It works for extroverts. It works for introverts. It works whether you are a Christian, an agnostic, a Muslim or someone who isn’t sure what they believe.

I encourage everyone to try this, even just for a week: stop for at least one person every day and really pay attention to them, be curious about them and kind to them. It could be looking the Starbucks barista in the eye and asking them how their day is going or choosing to sit by someone you wouldn’t ordinarily plop down by. Just stopping for the one even once per day can make a huge impact on the people around you and spread love, kindness and build community and bridges.

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by Lisa Wiseman, Auction Co-Chair

King’s Schools 34^th Annual Auction was powered by hundreds of volunteers – moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, staff, alumni and community members. These wonderful people freely gave of their time, talents, skills and hearts to help King’s Schools’ largest fundraiser succeed. The hours “donated” are in the thousands – including some late night help too.

Volunteering weaves us into a tight-knit, beautiful community. It helps new parents meet friends. Seasoned volunteers encourage new ones with stories of inspiration and near disasters of past. Students earn service hours as they experience our community working together outside of school.

Here are a few quotes from this year’s volunteers:

Nancy White – High School Secretary/Registrar
It has gone from being an auction with a plated dinner in Mike Martin Gym to being a very classy event at the Convention Center. I come back every year because it’s just fun and I love doing it.  This year, it was really special to see the past auction chairs from years back.  Moms who were here in the late 80’s and early 90’s.  Those were the years when we had Chihuly glass that we auctioned off.  It must be worth a fortune now! In addition to the amazing amount of money brought in (more than $570,000 this year), I think one of the real benefits of the auction is all those moms who are building community by working so many months all together.  What a great way to get to know other moms and their families. 

Jeff Wright – Jr. High Teacher
I volunteer because I love to see our families past and present and to let them know how appreciated they are.

Nancy Root – King’s Parent
I loved helping out with the auction!  We are new to King’s this year and it was a great way to get involved and contribute immediately.  I helped do data entry, which not a lot of people enjoy doing, so I got to know (Auction Chairs) Lisa and Stephanie. I would absolutely help again!

Sam Croutworst – Jr. High Teacher
I have volunteered every year for a long time. It is on my calendar to help out, and I usually stay late to help with clean up.  I love to meet so many parents and former students. Also, I enjoy working with wonderful students and fellow teachers and King’s parents. I have seen positive changes in how the auction is conducted in the area I help with (closing & making sure items are delivered to bid winners). The leadership team works to improve each year on procedures. It is a highlight of my school year to see the King’s family at work and play. 

This year one of my 7^th grade students worked side by side with me and I saw his maturity and initiative and was so proud of him. Also, I had a wonderful conversation with a Christian gentleman (a King’s grandfather who introduced me to his extended family). What a blessing that was!  The auction is a time for me to connect with many members of the wonderful King’s extended family.

Sam Pinney, Jr. High Student
My job at the King’s auction was to help close the silent auction tables when they were finished.  I felt it was a good balance of work and fun.  I met some new friends and got to work with Mr. Croutworst who is really cool.  We worked a lot, but we also got breaks and food.  I would volunteer again because I thought it was fun to work with other kids and help the school to earn community service hours.  It was also neat to see how the auction works and hear the auctioneer bidding off items.

There are a million and one volunteer “jobs” from September to March. Here is just a sampling of what volunteers did to help …

Donation data entry/inventory
Procurement – asking for great donations!
Organizing meetings
Creating theme decorations
Organizing contests
Organizing, stuffing registration packets
Promoting the auction at all schools
Organizing and running the NEW Wine Grab and Dessert Dash!
Photographing auction happenings
Helping produce and edit videos
Deliver volunteer food and drinks
Pick up supplies, items and other auction donations
Assemble auction items
Load/unload auction items from cars and trucks
Set up silent auction displays
Set up live auction displays
Set up decorations displays, tables and more at Lynnwood Convention Center
Pack up silent auction items
Check in and check out guests
Record bids in auction program
Assist with accounting/recording
Provide “hands-on” assistance at Dessert Dash
Dress in Oz Costumes at LCC
Sing beautiful “Over the Rainbow” song for auction introduction
Showcase live auction items by “walking” them around the ballroom

While “community” as a word is used often, here at King’s our volunteer community is truly amazing. The 34^th Annual King’s Auction, “There’s No Place Like King’s” would have never, ever been possible without each and every volunteer!

Lisa Wiseman is new to our King’s community. She is mom to Zack in 6^th grade and Nic in 10^th.  Co-chair Stephanie Roberts, who she knew from working on Coe Elementary’s (Queen Anne) auction together, recruited her to co-chair at King’s this year and she is so glad she did. “I loved working with her (Stephanie). Sally is awesome, too, and Suzanne, our banking co-chair, is fabulous! Every volunteer, staff person and parent helped make this year’s auction a success – the community here is the best!” Lisa has been in the “auction” business for 15+ years as a both a volunteer and paid consultant. Prior to that, she worked in marketing, advertising and public relations in various industries. She loves auctions and knowing that the money raised goes to great causes – especially kids!

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Last week, I was giving a campus tour to a guest and they asked, “Are there really tunnels that link all of the buildings together?” People are always amazed when I share that bit of trivia about our campus with them. As I thought about the question, I began to consider all of the links that exist within the King’s community.

The connections are found in numerous places in a community that values relationships and enduring experiences that are centered on people and Christ. So we are starting a Blog and we are calling it Connect (staying consistent with our all school publication). Our goal is to highlight the links throughout our community by talking about people, events, ideas, dreams, the future, the past, and the power of connection.

We look forward to sharing with you, and hearing from you as we seek more deeply join and unite the King’s community with these stories.

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