Last Friday was the seniors’ last day of regular classes at CVCA. They still have Senior Trip and graduation practices and graduation itself, but they are now all done with classes. That made me amazed and grateful that some of these seniors wanted to spend their first post-CVCA evening with me.

As some of you know, CVCA has small groups of students with an adult adviser, and the groups are called Connections or Connections Groups. I had a group of eight guys this year, and I tried to organize outings a few times during the year. I wanted to go to a minor league baseball game with the guys, but I am especially fond of fireworks nights at the ball park. The fireworks night that worked best for us happened to be on the last day of school for the seniors. Still, three of my usual Connections guys wanted to go, and another student to whom I am close filled in a spot for someone who could not make it; there were four eighteen-year-old guys and I, at an Akron Aeroes game.

I love the Aeroes stadium. It is small, and well kept, and the staff likes to do wacky things between innings, like have spectators dress up in sumo outfits and wrestle, or have a foot race between a guy dressed as a donut and a guy dressed as a cup of coffee. I really like minor-league baseball. And, in addition to the game and the random fun between innings, the fireworks display at the ballpark is hands-down the best fireworks I have ever seen. They are right in your face, and the shows always go about fifteen minutes.

It is a good thing that the other things are worthwhile, because, sadly, the game was not much to watch. The Aeroes got beaten 8-1, and it could have been worse. Happily, the fellowship with the guys was much fun, and we all had a good time, helped out by the amazing light show at the end.

There is still one last Connections outing for us – in a week or so we are supposed to meet at Dave and Busters restaurant and arcade, up in Cleveland. I’m still surprised that guys want to hang out with someone who is over twice their age, but I am pleased at the same time. Maybe I really did make a connection.