A magical cocktail or 20 years at the Schloss Torgelow boarding school

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When one receives the assignment to write about the alumni celebration for the 20th anniversary of Schloss Torgelow, one sits for minutes in front of a blank sheet of paper, contemplating how to put the various impressions and feelings into words.

The text is meant to meet many requirements: It should express the pride one feels when reflecting on the last 20 years. When recalling how brave Helge and Mario’s decision was to establish a boarding school in Torgelow am See, which was to become a second home for many motivated and interested students.

One should be able to understand how much joy it brings that so many former students have followed the invitation. It should be made clear that the minutes and hours were so precious and passed by far too quickly. You only have this one evening to share what has happened in the years since graduation, to meet old friends, to relive the old stories together, and to celebrate together.

Perhaps words cannot express what was in the air on that hot and humid summer day at Schloss Torgelow. On July 5, 2014, a cocktail was created from joyful anticipation, curiosity, nostalgia, happiness, heartache, laughter, conversations, music performances, birthday cake, anniversary beer, grilled food, sunset, culinary delights, flashes of light, music, friendship, encounters, stories, success, joy, thunderstorms, fireworks, engaging discussions, Frisian rock, a breathalyzer police, sunrise, and a whole lot of emotion.

But let’s take it step by step:

It all started on July 4, 2014, with a barbecue and soccer evening as a warm-up for the big celebration the next evening. Germany won, and over freshly tapped beer in a cozy atmosphere, old stories were told, life was discussed, and connections were made between the graduating classes.

The next day, everything was prepared for the afternoon, and everyone was filled with anticipation and expectation that it was finally going to start.

It finally began on the castle steps with guided tours of the school and the boarding school. Here, the rooms where one had lived were viewed, the classrooms where one had sweated, and of course, the innovations were admired and commented on. Afterwards, the official opening of the alumni festival took place in the Audimax. Accompanied by a “Best of Music Performance,” Mr. Buckel, the founding headmaster, reported on the early years of Schloss Torgelow, Mr. Kucklick, as the mayor of the Torgelow am See municipality, vividly described what it was like when the plans to establish a boarding school in Torgelow became a reality, and Helge Lehmann shared with a wink the big and small problems of the early years.

Through the many visual impressions, the self-composed music, the spoken words, and the exemplary presentation of three former students who have all become successful artists, the magic was already palpable, which would only intensify throughout the day and evening. Kirstina Sretkova, Peter Langenhahn, and Marc Wegner contributed to the aforementioned cocktail by showcasing their works, adding creativity, dedication, and courage to it.

Many former students have repeatedly said in conversations that it’s a bit like coming home. And there can’t really be a nicer compliment than that. That’s why we celebrated, danced, and laughed together until sunrise.

The next morning, the farewell after the wonderful evening was correspondingly difficult. It meant returning to everyday life and waiting for the dates of the alumni gatherings. The next one will take place on November 14, 2014, in Dubai. Schloss Torgelow goes international! J

Perhaps this is not a typical retrospective on an anniversary. Perhaps it is not detailed enough, and it probably does not do justice to the celebration in any way. But as a resident of Torgelow, one understands each other; not many words are needed! We will see each other at the latest in five years! Take good care of yourselves!