ACS marked its 29th Commencement on June 10 with various speakers challenging the 20 students in the Class of 2022 to trust God’s plan for their lives, to be bold and courageous in their faith, and to seek to honor God in everything they say and do as they move on to the next chapter of their lives.

“It is my prayer that God would continue to guide and direct you as you walk into your future and that the Lord will fill you with faith, hope, love, and wisdom as you serve Him with the gifts and talents that He has given each of you,” said Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, who welcomed the parents, faculty, staff, and friends to the ceremony held in the school gym that was also live-streamed on the ACS YouTube channel. Oblen then introduced 2015 alumnus Samuel Karabashian, who encouraged the graduates to be bold and speak up for what is right, even though you may not be in the majority.

Commencement keynote speaker Pastor Tony Montemurro of Calvary Chapel Gateway urged the graduates to exercise courage to do the right thing, drawing his message from chapter one in the book of Joshua, where God speaks wisdom and encouragement to help Joshua as he moved forward into a leadership role over the Israelites. “Like Joshua, you will be faced with difficult challenges ahead and will be tempted to turn away from God’s Truth,” Montemurro said. “That’s why you must resolve to let God’s Word be the sovereign authority over your life.” In a prayer of blessing over the graduates, Pastor Montemurro proclaimed — “May you become the next generation of Daniels and Esthers.”

Salutatorian Andres Cores, 18, of Egg Harbor Township, noted that it took determination, perseverance, patience, hard work, and even sacrifice for he and his fellow classmates to make it to graduation day, and thanked ACS teachers and families for the important role that they played. “I have no doubt that every graduate here will find a way to succeed in their life, and I encourage you to pursue what is most dear to you, what you feel can make a difference.” Cores, who finished with a 4.18 GPA, will be attending Stockton University to major in physical therapy.

Valedictorian Elizabeth Alford, 18, of Egg Harbor Township, also thanked the teachers at ACS for the positive impact they had on each graduate. “Every teacher here has been such a blessing to all of our lives,” Alford said. “They have laughed with us, cried with us, prayed with us, and shaped who we are as children today.” Alford noted that she and her fellow classmates have “big dreams” to become future pro athletes, doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, and to have families of their own. “We want the best for our lives, but that begins when we start putting our faith and trust in God and relying on Him through anything that may come our way,” Alford said. Alford, who achieved a 4.20 GPA, will be attending Cedarville University in the fall to pursue a nursing degree.

Alford, and two other graduates, Caeli Barbour and Destiny Brewer, shared their musical talents during the program singing “The Commission.”  The three had been members of the High School Praise and Worship Team that led worship at weekly chapel.

Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen, Upper School Principal Meg McHale, and Board of Directors’ Chair Les Tomlinson participated in the presentation of the diplomas to the graduates. After receiving their diplomas, the graduates stepped out into the audience to present their parents and guardians with long stemmed roses as a gesture of gratitude.

As each graduate was introduced, McHale announced the various awards and scholarships that students had received. She noted that the Class of 2022 was collectively receiving over $405,000 in college scholarships, after being offered some $825,000 from the schools they applied to. Four graduates plan to serve in the U.S. military. Board Chair Les Tomlinson gave the benediction to close the program.

CLICK HERE to watch the Commencement ceremony on the ACS YouTube channel.

CLICK HERE for an online photo gallery of the Commencement ceremony on the ACS website. Photo credits: John Loreaux.