Governor Mike Huckabee, presidential candidate, pastor, author, and political commentator, was the keynote speaker at Atlantic Christian School’s 4th annual Legacy Gala on Friday, March 31 at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel in Atlantic City. Atlantic Christian’s Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen and 10th grade student Ryan Lomangino presented Governor Huckabee with a plaque, congratulating him for his exemplary legacy of public service and ministry over the past 35 years.
During his remarks to close to 400 guests at the Gala, Governor Huckabee emphasized the importance of Christian education in training up the next generation of America’s leaders. “The only way to change the country is to build leaders who are prepared to lead with Biblical values and a Biblical worldview,” Huckabee said. He also spoke passionately about the unique value of every human life. “There is no such thing as a life that does not matter,” Huckabee said. “We need to raise a generation that looks at every human being as having intrinsic worth and being important. It’s not about giving someone artificial self-esteem, it’s about connecting them to their Creator.”
In addition to Governor Huckabee’s keynote address, the Gala program included oral and musical presentations by ACS students and Board Chair Doug Pearson announced the 2017 Servant’s Heart Award recipients. 12th grader and senior class president Joanna Noto opened the Gala program with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A High School Select Ensemble gave an uplifting performance of “He Never Failed Me” and “My Soul Finds Rest – Psalm 62.” The student ensemble members were Naomi Glancey, Ashleigh Martin, Ayololoa Oguntuase, Amelia Sray, and Zhenhao (Vernon) Yang. 11th grader Yang and 12th grader Jasmine Feliciano presented their winning essays on how participating in community service during ACS missions trips has made an impact on their lives. The presentations concluded with 10th grader Ryan Lomangino introducing Governor Huckabee.
In his remarks, Governor Huckabee reflected on how Jasmine’s experience serving on missions trips in Haiti led her to pursue a career in nursing. “I want students to be good at what they do, but I want them to know why they are doing it,” Governor Huckabee said. “I see a young person like Jasmine choosing to be a nurse, but not because she wants to deal with sick bodies, but because she feels called by God to do this as a ministry.” Governor Huckabee noted that a Christian education is valuable because of its unique focus on helping young people understand that each one of them has God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. “Whether we are given one talent or ten talents, God expects us to be faithful with the gifts He’s given us and that’s what the students are learning at Atlantic Christian School,” Governor Huckabee said.
A select number of photographs from the Gala will soon be posted on the ACS website. Photographs will also be available for purchase from photographer John Loreaux at www.loreaux.zenfolio.com in a photo gallery entitled “Atlantic Christian Legacy Gala.”