The Friday Finish - Alumni Reunite, Reminisce, Testify - "Together like we used to be" - Legendary People Remembered, Honored - Challenge Surpasses Goal - "hot meals... help me a lot"
October 16, 2026
Alumni Reunite, Reminisce and Testify
The positive spirit at the presentation of Co-Alumni of the Year award to Ashton and Jagger Bowling last Wednesday at Red Bird Christian School (article in The Friday Finish, October 9, 2026) was just a foretaste of what continued through the weekend as folks came together for the Red Bird School Alumni Association (RBSAA) Homecoming. Events designed to reunite and honor former students and staff held October 9-11 were filled with rich reminiscing and inspiring testimonies at the Homecoming Chapel, Alumni Reunion gathering, Saturday’s RBSAA Meeting, and the closing worship at the historic Beverly Church.
“Share your story”
The trip by students last Friday up to the original site of Red Bird Mission School in Beverly for the Homecoming Chapel Service in the historic Beverly Church gave the new students at Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) opportunity to worship for the first time in the space where chapels were held until 1981. Pastor Nathan Lewis opened the time in prayer and the RBCS combined Middle School and High School Choirs prepared hearts singing Lauren Daigle’s, “You Say”.
Sierra Frost (Class of 2008), guest chapel speaker, shared lessons learned as a student at Red Bird and from storms in her life. Drawing on the story in Matthew when the storm arose with the disciples and Jesus on the lake, she recounted how she had survived open heart surgery just weeks old; emergency open heart surgery at 13; and the loss of a son, Peyton, at 5 ½ weeks; and an emergency liver surgery immediately after Peyton’s passing.
She encouraged students saying,
“Share your story.
People need to hear what you’ve been through and
how you have, or will, overcome it with God’s help.
“Having faith doesn’t mean you never struggle. It means you know where to take your struggles.”
The gathering then moved outside to the confluence of Cow Fork and Mud Lick for a baptism service for Christopher Howard, a RBCS student. Pastor Nathan Lewis, Beverly United Methodist Church, and Pastor Jeremy Baker, Christopher’s pastor at City of Hope Church and former RBCS High School Sciences teacher, officiated in what Pastor Baker said was like a “cold plunge” in the creeks fed from the mountain springs.
“Together like we used to be, even if only for a night.”
“Together like we used to be, even if only for a night.” That was the little saying I chose for this year’s Alumni Reunion, and after seeing how the evening turned out, I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to describe it.
Last year, our Alumni Association decided to try something new during Red Bird Christian School’s Homecoming weekend. We wanted to bring back some of the younger generations of Red Bird graduates, the ones who grew up together, walked the same hallways, sat in the same classrooms, and made memories that have stayed with them long after graduation. So, we added a “Young Alumni Reunion” to the weekend’s festivities, hoping to give old classmates a chance to come back together.
Our very first reunion was great, but this year? Even better! The idea behind this gathering was to offer something a little different from the more traditional Homecoming events. You see, not everybody is a dress-up-and-sit-around-a-dinner-table kind of person. Some of us are more comfortable in a pair of jeans, sitting around a bonfire, talking somebody’s ear off until the fire burns down. (And if you know me, you know I’m one of those yappers!)
This reunion was perfect for the younger crowd, the nature lovers, the yappers, the folks who just wanted to come as they were, and especially the ones with little ones tagging along. Because let’s face it, taking youngins to a more formal gathering can feel like more work than fun. You’re worried they’re being too loud, getting into everything, or having to remind them for the hundredth time to sit still and behave. And sometimes, you just want to enjoy yourself without all that worrying.
So why not give those youngins a little room to run wild? Let them play basketball, roast marshmallows, chase each other around outside, get a little dirty, and just be kids. Let them be a little feral out in nature, as I like to say! Meanwhile, Mom and Dad can catch up with old friends, pull up a chair by the fire, and enjoy an evening without feeling like they have to keep everybody sitting quietly at a table.
There’s a time and place for a nice, formal dinner, and those Homecoming traditions are special in their own way. But there’s something pretty awesome about a laid-back evening where nobody has to dress up, nobody has to rush, and everybody can just feel right at home. And judging by the turnout this year, I’d say we were onto something!
On Friday evening, October 9th, we welcomed even more alumni than last year, and what made it even sweeter was seeing how many brought their youngins along. There was plenty of good food, laughter, and reminiscing as old friends gathered around, flipping through yearbooks and laughing at pictures of their younger selves. There were guitars and s’mores around the bonfire, basketball games, cornhole, and children running around having the time of their lives.
But somewhere in the middle of all that laughter and catching up, something really caught my attention. I looked around and saw old classmates, people who had grown up together at Red Bird, now standing around talking while their own babies, toddlers, and teenagers played together. Some of these folks hadn’t seen each other in years, yet here they were, picking up right where they left off, only this time with their families beside them.
And I couldn’t help but think, these youngins are the future of Red Bird.
One day, some of these same youngins might be coming back to a reunion of their own, bringing their kids, or maybe even their grandchildren, laughing over old yearbooks and telling stories about the good old days.
And there it was, right in front of my eyes. Generations of love, loyalty, and friendship. Something that started long before us and, God willing, will continue long after us.
I think that’s what makes Red Bird so special. It isn’t just a school you attended or a place you grew up. It’s a part of who you are. No matter how many years go by, how far away life takes you, or how much things change, there’s something about coming back together with the people who share those memories. And after seeing just how successful these first two reunions have been with our younger generations, the Red Bird Alumni Association hopes to see this little tradition grow into something even bigger.
We are taking the word “Young” right out of “Young Alumni Reunion” and making this a gathering for ALL Red Bird graduates, regardless of age or graduating class.
Because really, why put an age on something as special as coming home?
Whether you graduated five years ago or fifty, whether you still live just down the road or haven’t been back to Red Bird in decades, we want you to know there’s a place for you here. Bring your children, your grandchildren, your old classmates, or just yourself. Come sit by the fire, tell a few stories, laugh about the good old days, and make some new memories while you’re at it.
We are so thankful for every single person who came out and helped make our second reunion even better than the first. My hope is that we keep this tradition going for many, many years to come. That alumni of every age and every graduating class will feel welcome, that the friendships made at Red Bird will continue to bring folks home, and that the next generation will grow up knowing just how special this place really is.
Because sometimes, all it takes is one evening around a bonfire, a few old friends, and a whole lot of laughter to remind us that even though we’ve grown up and gone our separate ways, a little piece of us will always belong right here.
- Kayla Smith, Development Gifts and Media, Red Bird Mission
Legendary People Remembered, Honored
The remnants of Hurricane Isaias moved into eastern Kentucky providing cloudy and rainy conditions outdoors on Saturday, but there was joy and love flowing as alumni gathered in the RBCS cafeteria to reminisce with former schoolmates and teachers. After the enjoying a meal catered by The Cardinal Café, Patty Vance, Red Bird School Alumni Association President, introduced former staff, Jeanie Lawson, as the luncheon speaker.
Jeanie lifted up some of the “legendary people” of Red Bird Mission telling some of the stories she’s learned about the early years from her in-laws. She then shared special memories of people and experiences during her time of service in the late 1970’s as a dorm parent, bookmobile operator, and at the senior center. There were smiles and abundant laughter around the room as she recounted those stories that came alive with details preserved in the letters she had written from 1977 to 1987 that her mother saved.
As she closed out those warm, rich stories, she came back to the legendary history and people saying, “This place is about the mission. I’m excited to see what the future holds for this wonderful place. It’s because of you all and all the people that came. There is so much left to do, just like the excitement about the school this year. They [people in the past] paved the way for us all and I see a wonderful future for this place because it’s special.”
Mr. Marcus Collett, speaking on behalf of and with several of his extended family made a special presentation of a handmade cardinal quilt to Geneva “Jackie” Moody. He proclaimed that Jackiis, the epitome of the school motto, “Enter to learn. Leave to serve.” Mr. Collett expressed gratitude for the support she and her husband, Scott, have given during critical financial times, and her service on the Board of Directors as Board President and chair of various committees while living on the West Coast.
Jackie responded saying, “The only thanks that I need is for all of us to keep working together to keep this legacy going forward. It’s not just one person that can do it. It’s all of us.”
Mrs. Vance and Mrs. Tonya Dickerson Asher then presented the remaining RBSAA Annual Awards. Mrs. Lucinda McMurry, Board President of Red Bird Mission, Inc., Red Bird Clinic, Inc., and Red Bird Mission Housing, Inc., received the Bischoff Award as a non-alumnus contributing significantly to the school, and Mr. John Lundy was given the Teacher of the Year Award.
Mr. Marcus Collett was called back to the stage, but this time to receive the 2026 Living Legend Award. Mr. Collett has served as Guidance Counselor, Principal, and current board member giving of his service during the decades. Mrs. Vance referred to the school motto saying, “Mr. Collett has lived those words [Enter to learn. Leave to serve] through his care for students, his leadership, and his continued dedication to Red Bird.”
Homecoming Challenge Surpasses Goal
Gratitude is pouring out from everybody at Red Bird Christian School for the response to the Homecoming Challenge, “Sustaining the Legacy”. Led by matching gift pledges of two alumni and an overall goal of $105,000 to honor the 105 year legacy of Red Bird School, total gifts and matching pledge payments reached over $103,000 with $35,800 being hand-delivered at the Red Bird School Association Annual Meeting on October 10th. Online gifts and checks are still coming to help fund the fall semester. At the end of business on Thursday, the total for the 2026 Homecoming Challenge, “Sustaining the Legacy” had reached $109,830.61.
Thank you to each and every alumnus, friend and church that gave to cover expenses for this current generation of students at Red Bird Christian School being prepared for leadership and service.
Celebration of Life and Word
Alumni Homecoming Weekend wrapped up with a Celebration of Life and Worship in the Beverly Community. A group of former students and staff gathered at Fran’s Rose Garden where the first Red Bird Hospital sat to remember Phyllis Crouse who passed in December, and a portion of her ashes were added with the planting of rose just across the highway where she lived while on staff. Mr. John Lundy preached an inspiring message at Beverly United Methodist Church on Sunday morning, and those gathered enjoyed fellowship and a home cooked meal courtesy of Joyce and Daugh Sizemore after the service.
“hot meals… help me a lot”
Red Bird Mission Community Outreach is continuing Home Delivered Meals with funds donated each week in the hopes governmental funding will be restored sooner than the announced date of April 2027. Recipients of the meals delivered by Red Bird are elderly, in poor health and living in isolated locations sometimes with no transportation or daily contact from other people.
Tammy Adams, Red Bird Mission Elderly Ministries Coordinator shared these comments coming from meal delivery clients.
I have very little money and just a little food assistance. The hot meals that I get help me a lot.
My health is bad and I don't get very many visitors. It's nice to know people care enough to check on me when they bring my meals.
Candace Collins, Red Bird Women and Children Ministries Coordinator, took time this week to share her experiences and what she’s hearing from Home Delivered Meal clients since meals have been cut back.
I answered the phone in Community Outreach when a client called on a day we didn’t have meal deliveries. He asked if that day we didn’t deliver was the only day [he wouldn’t be receiving them] because he was going to be needing them.
As I’m filling in doing a meal route due to staffing shortages, I get to see the need and appreciation, and the worrisome looks of the home delivered meal clients. They have asked multiple times if I know how long we are going to have to shorten the amount of meals in a month, or asking
“Do we get meals every day this week?”
There was a client who happened to get two meals one day because the person before him wasn’t home. He was thankful and said,
“I’m gonna save this one for a day there aren’t meals.”
You can help sustain meal deliveries
It costs about $2,500 each week to prepare and deliver the meals delivered to those in need here in isolated locations. You can cover the cost of meals for one person with a monthly donation of $180 over the next seven months, or a one-time donation of $1,260. Use the link below for secure online donations, or mail a check payable to Red Bird Mission, Inc., 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913-9607 marked “Elderly Meal Delivery”.
Farmers Market Wrap Up
Twenty-one (21) unique Red Bird Farmers Market vendors reported $19,261 in earnings from June-Oct 2026. Family Health Bucks helped 165 seniors and 63 youth access fresh produce, 76 seniors received Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) Kentucky Double Dollars this year, and 5 received WIC FMNP Kentucky Double Dollars. Fifty-one (51) Clay County senior citizens qualified to receive $50 each in SoliMarket cards from Red Bird Mission to access fresh produce.
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