ACS Graduates 25 at June 7 Commencement
At ACS, we’re a family — that was the recurring theme at Atlantic Christian’s commencement exercises held on Wednesday, June 7 in the ACS gymnasium. “I will dearly miss the family I have here at ACS,” said salutatorian Joanna Noto. “Each of us has our own unique spiritual gifts and we come together, unified as graduating seniors, soon to move on to do great things for the glory of God.” Noto will be attending Atlantic Cape Community College in the fall on a full scholarship through NJ STARS.
Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen opened the commencement exercises and thanked the parents of the graduates for choosing a Christian education for their children. She also thanked the faculty and staff for creating a loving, family atmosphere and taking a personal interest in the lives of each of the graduates. Oblen was later joined on the stage by Board of Directors Chair Douglas Pearson as they presented the diplomas to the 25 graduates in the class of 2017.
Valedictorian Mikayla D’Anna encouraged her fellow graduates to rely on God and to step out of their comfort zones without fear as they enter the next phase of their lives. “Sometimes God places us in situations that are out of our comfort zones to give us opportunities to mature and grow ourselves and grow closer to Him,” said D’Anna, who will be attending Eastern University in the fall to pursue a degree in psychology.
In what has become an annual commencement tradition, Heather Huff Peterson (’86), presented the alumni reflection. She expressed gratitude for the important spiritual impact that the teachers at ACS had on her life and noted that the strong bond of family she experienced was still alive at ACS 31 years later.
Keynote speaker Drew Carney, who teaches high school math, shared three lessons drawn upon his own life experiences — to love others unconditionally, to adjust their expectations for a change of season, and to be confident in knowing that “God is weaving things together in your lives to accomplish his purposes.” Carney prompted surprise and laughter at the start of his remarks when he showed off a suit decorated with pink flamingos, a device he hoped would help the graduates better recall the message he was sharing with them.
Other ACS students who participated in the commencement program were student body chaplain Joshua Burns, who presented the Christian character address, Brianna Lomangino, who delivered the benediction, and a high ensemble that included seniors Burns, Dakota Hitchner, Andrew Jacoby, Jialin “Ann” Li, and Amelia Sray performing “He Never Failed Me Yet.”