Baccalaureate is a centuries-old religious graduation tradition, where graduates hear advice of a religious nature for their surge into adulthood. The ceremony was non-denominational as represented by multiple Christian-faith backgrounds.
Participating students were Riley Rose, Katie Gentry, Gerald Whyte, Robert Shirley, Connor Rutherford, Jessica Chandler, Cheyenne Ellis, Leticia Jimenez, Kalynne Mitchell and Erika Terry.
The ceremony began with the students parading into the sanctuary to music. Mitchell led the opening prayer and Terry recited the poem "Ego" by Denise Duhamel.
Pastor Mike Northrup led the congregation in responsive readings, followed by special songs by Jeff Meyers. Pastor Kathy Jakolat gave the message for the evening. Students then came forward one by one, lit a candle and told what they would take from the ceremony into their future. Northrup gave the benediction, which was followed by cake and punch in the church's social hall.
Each graduate was given a scroll, Bible and bubbles in red-and-black containers.
Terry said the message she gleaned from the ceremony was, "We are stronger than we think and we can always come home."
One of those in attendance, Kendra Bohan, gave her impression of the ceremony.
"I think it gave (the students) a positive message through God, to go for your dreams, do the right things, to let you know that you are capable to do whatever you want," Bohan said.
"It was really great to have them all come together in one church. They are a very 'together' class," she added.
Church member Judy Osmun said she was happy with the turnout. A total of 36 people attended the ceremony, in addition to the 10 students who participated.
"If we can do this each year with more of the other churches involved it would even be better," Osmun said.
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