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College and Academic Advising Newsletter - May 2026

College and Academic Advising Newsletter - May 2026
Class of 2025
Katie Gomulkiewicz, Dean of College and Academic Advising

Dear Parents,

This time of year is synonymous with new beginnings: flowers blooming, birds chirping, and high school seniors all around the country solidifying their college plans for next fall. Each student in the Class of 2026 is prepared to launch from Bear Creek and begin the next phase in his or her educational and life journey—it is exciting! As Carol Miller mentioned in her recent Upper School Update, this year’s seniors received acceptances from over 166 different colleges and will be attending 44 different universities next year—a testament to Bear Creek’s philosophy of finding a best-fit college. These accomplishments are worthy of celebration, but this time of year also leads me to reflect on Bear Creek’s mission which ends with an outcome statement:

Our mission is to provide a high-quality, Christian liberal arts education in a nurturing environment that will enable each student to become the individual God intends.

Bear Creek’s mission reminds us of the bigger picture and purpose of this education. The end goal of a Bear Creek education is not for students to attend X or Y college but rather to equip them to become the individuals God intends. And, what a joy that is!

Class of 2026 by dogwood tree

Class of 2026

The Class of 2026 will be spread out across the country next fall with a significant number of students heading to the Northeast and the South, while many others will stay closer to home in the Pacific Northwest. Students will begin their studies in exercise science, classical civilization, mechanical engineering, strategic management, computer science, studio art, nursing, civil engineering, biochemistry, aviation sciences, and great texts, to name a few. Many will be joining Bear Creek alumni already studying at their respective universities, but some will be the first Bear Creek students to attend that college. 

Senior Class Tunnel for Class of 2026

As Socrates famously said, “education is the kindling of a flame not the filling of a bucket.” Bear Creek has lit the kindling, and we look forward to the ways in which God will shape the lives of each graduate as they matriculate.

Advising Continues

However, most Upper School students are not yet at the end of their Bear Creek journeys. As this school year winds to a close, Dean of Academic Advising Ayoleida Páramo and I are still meeting with freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to help them finish the year strong, and we will be available over the summer to meet with students (and parents) to discuss schedules for next year and help ensure that every student is prepared to successfully launch the 2026 – 2027 school year in the fall.

Individual Advising Appointments 

As always, if you have any questions, then please feel free to reach out to or schedule a meeting with Ayoleida Páramo (grades 9 and 10) or me (grade 11).

Reminders for Juniors

  • Earlier this spring, juniors should have requested letters of recommendation from their teachers. Please confirm with your child that he or she has indeed done this, and if not, then encourage him or her to do so soon.
  • Juniors must also complete the Letter of Recommendation Survey in Naviance by June 1, so teachers have ample time to write their letters. 
  • Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, students should frequently check the Academic and College Advising class in Teams as this is where I will post information about scholarships, application materials, etc.

Summer Office Hours and Workshops

As the members of the Class of 2027 ramp up their college application journeys, over the summer I will host office hours and workshops to help them prepare college lists, essays, and the Common Application, as well as multiple office hours sessions to answer students' questions. 

College Essay Workshops

Workshops are held in the Upper School art studio.

  • August 13: The Common App Essay Revisited (1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)
  • August 17: The Why Me/Why Us Essay (10:00 a.m. – noon) 

College Application Summer Office Hours for Seniors

The following drop-in sessions are open to rising seniors who have specific questions, want feedback on their essays, or just want to work independently on applications during the entire two-hour session. Students may come to any (or all) of these sessions. Sessions held in the Upper School art studio.

  • Monday, August 3, 10:00 a.m. – noon
  • Thursday, August 6, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, August 11, 10:00 a.m. – noon
  • Thursday, August 20, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Monday, August 24, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Please mark your calendar and heed the upcoming deadlines. All these events and deadlines are listed on the School Calendar and in The Bear Facts each week where you can click the event title to learn more about each one.

  • May 22: Last day to check out library materials
  • May 26: Last day to schedule make-up work
  • May 29: Last day for students to turn in late work
  • June 1 – 5: Humanities Project Presentations
  • June 8 – 9: Grades 9 – 11 Final Exams
  • June 8 – 11: Senior Capstone Project Presentations
  • June 13: Class of 2026 Commencement

Let us send off the Class of 2026 with a huge congratulations and the following blessing from the Reverend Richard Halverson:

You go nowhere by accident.
Wherever you go, God is sending you.
Wherever you are, God has put you there;
He has a purpose in your being there.
Christ who indwells you has something He wants to do through where you are.
Believe this and go in His grace and love and power.

If you have any questions, then please feel free to reach out to me or Ayoleida (aparamo@tbcs.org).

Best,

Katie Gomulkiewicz '13
Dean of College and Academic Advising
kgomulkiewicz@tbcs.org

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