Church College of New Zealand celebrates end of era

Many who love the Church College of New Zealand took time recently to celebrate the successes of the past 51 years. And what a celebration it was. A cast of hundreds directed by Lillian Kershaw — affectionately known as Aunty Lil — sang, danced, and reminisced with an audience of 1,200.The curtains opened to the Mormon labor missionaries assembled on the David O. McKay auditorium stage singing some old favorites, including "Kia Ngawari'' There they stood, older and a little slower, but true to the faith that has bound them together over so many decades. They were the beginning of the school and the beginning of the show, "CCNZ Memories."The audience was taken back to the balls of years gone by with guest appearances of former "Sweetheart Queen," "'Mr' Personality" and "Mr' Wonderful" recipients, and the crowd clapped its approval of choices made years ago. History was made when the four school houses performed the waltz and Randall Dennis announced a draw for they were all winners on the night.In the initial planning, Elder Michael Roberts, area Seventy, and Ian Ardern, who was the producer, determined the show would spotlight key events and activities of the school so all could look forward, with gratitude for the past and with hope for the future.To look back there had to be old CCNZ favorites, and so when the alumni choir sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" it was like Song Festival all over again.Sports achievements were reviewed and short video clips of gratitude and recognition from prominent Waikato sportsmen were played on large screens in the auditorium.The touring groups performed; there was tap dancing and singing by the Fine Arts group; Hawaiian, Tahitian and Samoan dancing by the Polynesian Culture group; and one of the great performances of all time by the Kapa Haka group. Many former students traveled long distances over many weeks to be part of the groups that performed, and their commitment to the school and love for it was felt on the night. Few will forget the tears of emotion that rolled down the cheeks of Lili-Anne Kershaw as she performed or Shanen and Alysha Reti's young son performing the haka with his dad.It was a poignant moment when former recipients of the Dux and David O. McKay awards stood and were recognized once more. There was one last graduation as former students walked down the aisles dressed in white gowns, as Maile Keung Tarsau spoke of the trades and professions CCNZ graduates have entered into.Ian S. Ardern, a former principal, spoke of when President McKay stood at the pulpit and in tones of gratitude and humility dedicated the school. He asked those in the auditorium to close their eyes and listen to a few of President McKay's words on that early autumn day in 1958. "Our Holy Father, unitedly, we ask thee to accept this college, with our love and devotion, hallow it, protect it for the purposes for which it has been erected for we dedicate it to that end...."Mention was made of missions served and marriages made from friendships that began at the school — further evidence of the school having achieved the purposes for which it was dedicated.Elder Tad R. Callister of the Seventy and Pacific Area president commented on the commitment of so many that has led to so much good having been achieved at CCNZ. He reminded all to look to the future with trust in the Lord.

Information from the LDS Church's New Zealand newsroom.