National Commencement: Go Out With a Bang!

As the mom of two Classical Conversations graduates, I never thought we would ever reach the day of graduation! I started homeschooling them at 7 and 10 on a wing and a prayer. Where on earth did that saying “a wing and a prayer” even come from? According to Grammarist, “On a wing and a prayer describes doing something difficult or dangerous while relying on divine help or luck.” This phrase came from a fighter pilot in World War II who petitioned his crew to pray as they were coming in for a rough landing. Later, John Wayne would coin the phrase, “She’s coming in on one wing and a prayer!” in the 1942 movie The Flying Tigers. Coincidentally, today my now 19-year-old son is a pilot! As I dug deeper, I discovered in that 1943 Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh wrote a song called “Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer.” The lyrics are simple yet powerful: Comin’ in on a wing and a prayer With our full crew on board And our trust in the Lord We’re comin’ in on a wing and a prayer How many parents have you encountered that would describe their homeschooling journey as “on a wing and a prayer”? When it is time to land that plane on graduation day, where and how do you plan to land?

Attend the 2022 National Commencement!

Attend our 2022 National Commencement for your graduate to celebrate with other Classical Conversations students and parents around the nation who—just like I did—desire for our homeschool journey to go out with a bang! On Thursday, April 28, the commencement events kick off in Southern Pines, NC, with the Classical Conversations 25^th Anniversary Celebration and a free, live acoustic concert from Grammy award-winning Christian artist Francesca Battistelli at 7:00 pm. Immediately following the show, graduates and their families will head to the National Athletic Village next to our home office and attend the Grad Bash, a private party including food, music, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. The following day’s lineup includes a fantastic obstacle course for the graduates and student camps for their siblings. Meanwhile, parents will attend our National Conference speaker sessions.* After the obstacle course, your graduate will wash up, don their regalia, and walk with their fellow graduates to Pomp and Circumstance. Leigh Bortins, founder of Classical Conversations, will address and commend graduates and parents for their hard work and perseverance throughout their years of homeschooling. Each family will have the opportunity to present their diploma to their graduate and take a photo with Leigh and Robert Bortins, CEO of Classical Conversations. The following day will wrap up with more fellowship opportunities and National Conference sessions. Some graduates will receive the chance to join Leigh on a Graduate Panel, where other families will glean wisdom from those students who have completed the homeschool journey. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to join us in Southern Pines, NC, from April 28-30. Let’s celebrate together with you and your graduating student, land that plane, and go out with a bang!

What Parents of Graduates Have to Say

Sandy Spence, a homeschooling parent of a Classical Conversations graduate, said the following about attending our 2021 National Commencement last year: “The National Commencement experience went way beyond my expectations! I loved having everything wrapped up in one package: decorations, cake, gifts, college representatives, high-quality cap and gown, and personalized diploma. Even though we didn’t know everyone, we were all on the same journey. We felt like honored guests! One of my favorite parts was hearing from the student speakers. My daughter is graduating next year, and we will not miss it. It brought high school graduation to a higher level. Make it a priority for your family to be part of this!”

Register Today for National Commencement!

We hope to celebrate with you and your graduate this spring at our 2022 National Commencement! To sign your family up for the event, click here. *The Classical Conversations National Conference and student camps require separate registration from National Commencement and an additional cost. To register for the 2022 National Conference, click here.