COLUMBIA CITY, Ind. (June 6, 2009) – Faith Christian Academy’s eighth grade graduation marked a milestone – not only for two young men, but for the 15-year-old school as well.

Held June 4 at First Church of the Nazarene in Columbia City, the event celebrated the graduation of the first student to attend the Christian school from preschool through grade 8 and also the graduation of the first student who will enter Faith Christian Academy’s high school program.

The ceremony began with the second grade through eighth grade students singing, “Shout to the Lord.”

Pastor Larry Schmoekel, school administrator, gave the opening prayer and was the master of ceremonies.

“These are two very special young men,” Schmoekel said in his address. “Each has a first for Faith Christian Academy. Daniel Cash, who has only been here one year, will be the first student to enroll in ninth grade at Faith Christian Academy.”

Cash will be using an internet-based program called Seven Star to commence his high school education at Faith Christian Academy. This program is worldwide in scope, and is affiliated with Indiana Wesleyan University.

“Sebastian Evans is the first student to go through Faith Christian Academy from preschool to eighth grade,” Schmoekel said.

Evans will be a student at Concordia High School in Fort Wayne in the fall. He plans to enter Concordia’s ROTC program.

Former teachers Lisa Shively (preschool), Karen Van Voorst (multiple grade levels), Rhonda Johnson (science) and Susan Lewis (currently teaching middle school) all also spoke about the graduates and their experience in working with them over the years.

Each of the graduates also had the opportunity to address the audience, sharing what their education at Faith Christian Academy had meant to them and thanking those in their lives who had made an impact, including their teachers and parents. They presented their mothers and special teachers with long-stem white roses.

Schmoekel was joined on stage by Susan Lewis, representing the teachers, and Tad Varga, representing the Faith Christian Academy school board, to present recognition certificates to each of the graduates.

Following the benediction, a celebratory event with cake and punch was held in the church fellowship hall – attended by scores of family members and friends recognizing the milestone of completing another school year.

For more information about Faith Christian Academy’s preschool through eighth grade programming and/or enrollment, as well as the Seven Star high school program, contact Schmoekel at 260-248-4872.

CHURUBUSCO, Ind. (June 5, 2009) – It may be a cliche, Alayna Skinner told fellow graduates of Churubusco High School’s class of 2009, but it was indeed, the first day of the rest of their lives.

Skinner, valedictorian of the class, addressed the crowd of hundreds who attended the June 5 graduation ceremony at Churubusco High School Friday night, June 5.

A range of emotions emitted from the throng of graduates who filled the hallway prior to the ceremony. There were tears and laughter, the sharing of joyful and poignant memories and last-minute worries about whether the cap would stay on or whether someone would trip and fall  or animated chatter regarding whose graduation parties they would be attending that weekend.

By Viv Sade

for Busco Voice

Friends and proud family members packed into the hot and muggy high school gymnasium -  a CHS tradition – using programs to fan themselves and snapping photos of their loved ones – beautiful young adults with bright, smiling faces – full of hope for the future.

Alayna Skinner, valedictorian

Skinner was one of those faces.

“We have a bright future ahead of us,” she said in her valedictorian speech. “We now have the opportunity to go out into the world and make our mark.”

She cited Charles Swindoll’s quote in accessing their future: “Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.”

“It is within our power to control our responses,” Skinner said. “I find it comforting to know I have these friends and memories. The teachers prepared us well – they taught us not only academics, but perseverance, confidence and compassion.”

Allison Norris

Other speakers included salutatorian Allison Norris, who spoke of the outstanding athletic abilities and records of all sports teams at Churubusco High School with in the past four years, interim superintendent Bruce Hippensteel and high school principal Austin Couch.

Hippensteel urged graduates to do three things – continue to be an active learner; volunteer and “give back”; and remember their parents, friends and educators who encouraged and challenged them.

Bruce Hippensteel

Couch urged the graduates to follow their dreams, no matter how difficult or how many setbacks they encountered.

“Aim high,” Couch said. “What would you do if you know you could not fail? Would you be a professional athlete, play in a rock band or write a classic like The Old Man and the Sea?”

“There’s nothing wrong with aiming high,” Couch said. “It may be difficult and you may encounter setbacks, but follow your dream. It is more difficult to get to a point in your life where you look back with regret.”

“I hope you will enjoy a life of achievement, more laughter than tears and find goodness in others and be kind,” Couch said before closing with related quotes from Henry David Thoreau: “Do not worry if you have built your castles in the air. They are where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

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A graduate stands on a bench in the hallway to look for friends and family members after the ceremony.

Turning the tassels

On the fast lane to the future.

Yo, dude, I did it!

Graduates stop to pose for photos in the area in front of the school after the commencement ceremony Friday night.