Graduates Prepared to Unleash Their Talents 2019

2019
Pictured from left to right: Jack Oden, Valedictorian, Boca Raton Christian School; Sena Erickson, Salutatorian, Boca Raton Christian School; Sebastián Molina, Salutatorian, Westminster Academy; Ava Gaus, Valedictorian, Westminster Academy; Zoe Larson, Salutatorian, Calvary Christian Academy; and Luke Kaufman, Valedictorian, Calvary Christian Academy. Photography by Justus Martin. www.justusmartinphoto.com

As the class of 2019 walks across the stage to receive their diplomas and into the next season of their lives, administrators and staff have high hopes for what they see as some of the most naturally talented students they’ve seen.

Graduates of 2019

“When I think about the class of 2019, I see an amazing amount of talent. This class is the largest senior class that Boca Christian has ever had and they are gifted in so many areas. From their incredible performance in Mary Poppins, to their skills on the field and court, and their amazing accomplishments in robotics and academics, this class definitely has the ability to do great things in the future,” said Jake Rhodes, Middle and High School Chaplain at Boca Raton Christian School.

For example, Jack Oden, Class of 2019 Valedictorian, led Boca Christian’s FIRST Robotics Team to the World Championships as team captain, while Sena Erickson, Class of 2019 Salutatorian, was a four-time State Championship runner in Track and Field, and a 2019 Varsity Cross Country Regional Champion for Boca Raton Christian School.

At Westminster Academy, Class of 2019 Valedictorian, Ava Gaus, made a name for herself singing, dancing and acting as this year’s student director while also on the chapel worship team. And Class of 2019 Salutatorian, Sebastián Molina led Westminster’s FIRST Robotics Team to three consecutive World Championships and plans to study engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology.

A member of the Mu Alpha Theta (ΜΑΘ) mathematics honor society, Calvary Christian Academy’s Class of 2019 Valedictorian, Luke Kaufman plans to study math and engineering in the University of Florida’s Honors Program. And Zoe Larson, Calvary Christian Academy’s Class of 2019 Salutatorian, who is an avid thespian, will be attending the Honors College at the University of Florida where she is one of five accepted into their Musical Theater Program.

Wherever their future endeavors take them, Westminster Academy Upper School Principal Mike Critch said, “I pray that God will be the center of their lives; His Word will remain their favorite book to read; and that, like Jesus did, they will find like-minded Christian men and women to walk together.”

This year has been different for students as many schools overhauled security and safety measures in response to school tragedies. “Being on a very visible highway and affiliated with a church that has been a pillar of the community,” Critch said, “we felt it important to address our students’ safety and security very seriously. However, the entire community of students, faculty, staff and parents have responded very well.”

As most students head off to college, many of them secular, Critch said, “I believe that while we have worked very diligently to prepare them, they will face a spiritual battle like they have never experienced. The culture war rages on college campuses.”

Rhodes agreed, “I think a big challenge for most of them will be the dark culture they are heading into. Soon the Christian school bubble will burst, and it is so easy to fall into the lies of the world and things that don’t really matter. It will be important for them to get plugged in to a gospel centered church and find solid community.”

What advice does Rhodes offer? “My hope is not that they would avoid failure, but that they would not become successful in things that do not ultimately matter. My prayer is that whatever field they pursue, any personal success they have would be a way to bring God glory and promote the gospel to all they meet. I pray that they would not fall into pride or vanity, but that they would worship God fully and be great ambassadors for the kingdom!”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

Read last month’s article by Shelly Pond at: https://www.goodnewsfl.org/high-school-club-sponsors-two-habitat-for-humanity-homes/

 

 

Share this article

Comments