Starkville Christian School’s six graduates received their diplomas in a ceremony Friday night at the First Baptist Church Outreach Center.
The entire class graduated with honors, the first class to do so in SCS history.
Graduate Payten Lawrence was named valedictorian, and Nicole Horstemeyer was salutatorian. All six of the graduates will attend college, with plans for Mississippi State University, East Mississippi Community College and the University of Mobile.
“I thoroughly enjoyed teaching all these men and women,” said physics teacher Rachel Witbeck at the beginning of the ceremony. “Not only are they smart and intelligent, the just have virtue to the Lord. They truly do. It is one of the coolest groups I’ve ever taught.”
Lawrence shared some of his experiences being part of the tight-knit class.
“Last but not least, I would like to thank my fellow classmates,” Lawrence said. “They helped me not only academically, but also emotionally. They always made sure there was never a dull moment, whether we were at school or not. They always put a smile on my face, even if I was having a rough day. Each one of them has such a kind heart, and I’m very happy to call them my classmates. We’ve made so many great memories over the last few years.”
Pastor Kevin Shoemaker, who teaches the men’s religion class at SCS served as commencement speaker. In his address, he discussed the five parts of an epic story, and how they would apply to the graduates in their life. He also put the five parts into the context of faith.
“Like every story, the Bible has a hero, and he’s the one who’s going to make those wrongs right,” Shoemaker said. “Obviously, the hero in the big story that God is telling is Jesus.”
He said every story had five points, a hero going away, being tested and tried, going into darkness, coming out of darkness and coming home.
“As graduating seniors, if today is marking a specific part of your story, what I would say is that the part of the story that today is marking is you being called away,” Shoemaker said. “You’re entering into a new world. Even if you’re not leaving Starkville, you’re entering into a new part of the story. You’re being called away. Everything is going to be different. I want to add in the next six to 12 months, you will be pressed and tried in a way that you haven’t been pressed and tried yet.”
He told the graduates they would have to make choices down the road, and reminded them of God’s presence and plan.
Graduate Samuel Fairley, who will attend EMCC in the fall, with plans to transfer into MSU to study engineering described his feelings on graduating.
“I’m happy to be here,” Fairley said. “I’ve been at Starkville Christian School for four years, and it feels like it’s been a good while. At the same time, it’s kind of bittersweet, but like I said I’ve enjoyed it, and I’m ready to move on.”