Over 100 family members, faculty, and staff gathered for a time of prayer, worship, and presentation of awards and scholarships to the Class of 2021 at the Baccalaureate Service held at Harbor Pines Golf Club on Wednesday, June 2. Upper School Principal Meg McHale congratulated the seniors for their hard work and flexibility through a challenging year unlike any other and gave thanks to God for providing the strength and wisdom to persevere and succeed.
Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen welcomed everyone to the service and senior Rachel Whisman gave the opening prayer. Mrs. Jane Zigner led a time of worship, as voices were raised together to sing “In Christ Alone” and “Waymaker.” Three faculty members — history teacher Amy Whisman, math teacher Gina Wilson, and math teacher — gave parting words of advice, encouraging the seniors to involve God in every aspect of their lives and to allow God to work through them to bless others (pictured below at right).
“All of us who have been your teachers will continue to be praying for you,” said Mrs. Wilson. “My prayer is that you learn to hear and discern the voice of God and that you dedicate yourselves to the ministry God has for you.” The program concluded with ACS parent and Board of Directors’ member Kris Jacoby offering a prayer for God’s blessing on the Class of 2021.
A variety of scholarships and awards were presented during the program. Valedictorian Sydney Pearson and Salutatorian Kami DeNick (pictured below at left) were recognized and received the Academic Achievement Scholarships. Eight students out of the class of 18 (pictured below right) received certificates for Highest Honors for earning a GPA of 3.8 or higher, and one student — Rebekah Kimmerley — received a certificate for High Honors for earning a GPA of 3.5-3.79.
Five students who attended ACS continuously since kindergarten (pictured at right) received a $100 gift from the Parent Teacher Fellowship, presented by PTF President Terry Vogel, who described an education at ACS as “a priceless investment.” “You can’t do a better thing for your child than to send them to ACS,” Vogel said.
Following is a list of the special scholarship and award recipients:
- Academic Achievement Scholarship: Sydney Pearson and Kami DeNick
- The 5:14 Award, based on 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (in honor of former faculty member Kim Ordile, to the senior who has shown themselves to be the most encouraging): Chloe Vogel
- Mayor Hodson Community Service Scholarship: Katherine Kong and Sydney Pearson
- Garrett-Freeman Memorial Music and Art Scholarship (sponsored by ACS alumni parent Barbara Freeman): Katherine Kong
- COMPASS Award (for senior seeking to serve in education): Kayla DeNick
- Red Cross Blood Drive Recruitment Award (for senior involved in planning/recruitment of school blood drives): Sydney Pearson
- Senior Art Award (for senior seeking to use their artistic gifts in further studies): Katherine Kong
- Parent Teacher Fellowship Scholarship (best essay reflecting on their experience at ACS as aligned with Biblical teaching: Chloe Vogel (1st place); Kami DeNick & Kayla DeNick (2nd place)
CLICK HERE for a photo gallery of Baccalaureate.
