If you follow our blog, you will see that I post occasionally about the school I graduated from, Franklin Road. Franklin Road Christian School is a flourishing ministry of Brightmoor Christian Church, and Kevin and I have always been very involved with both from volunteering our time to senior portraits of graduates.
Franklin Road was founded by Pastor Timothy Gambino 28 years ago in Southfield, Michigan as a kindergarten to 8th grade Christian School. Since then, it has moved to Novi, Michigan, and has grown to become a full kindergarten to 12th grade school. Tim Gambino was the superintendent of the school and his wife, Phyllis Gambino, was the music teacher and elementary spanish teacher. This year, the 28th year of the school's existence, Pastor Tim and Mrs. Gambino have decided it was time to retire.
Franklin Road in partnership with Brightmoor has done many special events to celebrate the retirement of the Gambinos. One of these events was during the high school spring concert in May. Every year, Mrs. Gambino holds a middle/high school spring concert and an elementary spring concert to showcase all of the hard work her students have done that semester. Since this was her last high school spring concert ever, a few alumni and I decided it would be fun to surprise her. We chose a song that Mrs. Gambino has directed multiple times and scheduled practices to make sure we remembered the song too. ;) Then, during the concert, instead of her current choir walking up on stage, our alumni choir did. She was so surprised! It was very rewarding to know that we pulled off our surprise and to see the look of shock and delight upon her face.
The entire night was full of happiness and memories. It meant a lot to me to be able to be a part of this event because of the lasting impact Mrs. Gambino has had on my life Many people will miss the Gambinos greatly, they have found a place in many hearts. Thankfully, they will not be retiring anywhere exotic, but will remain an integral part of the Franklin Road and Brightmoor family.