ACS marked its 30th Commencement on June 9 with various speakers urging the 29 students in the Class of 2023 to draw upon the Biblical values and lessons learned at ACS, to use their gifts and abilities to serve God, and to seek God’s wisdom and strength as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
“It is my prayer that each of your dreams will be realized and that you will continue to make a difference in the world,” 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. “The seeds of God’s Word have been planted in you here. Now go out and do God’s work.”
Commencement keynote speaker Christian Delacruz, the ACS Event Coordinator and a middle school and high school Bible teacher, encouraged the graduates to be bold in their faith and to seek to know God intimately. “As you move out into the world and seek to fulfill your dreams, understand that there is no secure foundation except in Christ alone.”
Salutatorian Reyna Lewis, 18, of Egg Harbor Township, noted that it took years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance for her and her fellow classmates to make it to graduation day, and thanked ACS teachers and family members for the important role that they played. “When faced with problems or trials, we were always encouraged to go to God because He is the one who gives us wisdom, love, understanding, and strength,” Lewis said. She finished with a 4.11 GPA and will be attending the University of Notre Dame to major in biochemistry.
Valedictorian Paige Noble, 18, of Egg Harbor Township, challenged her classmates to make the most of every opportunity and new experience. “We only live one life and we need to live that life for Jesus most of all,” Noble said. “God will do extraordinary things if we are looking for Him to use us. God needs to use us in His plan, not our own.” Noble, who achieved a 4.22 GPA, will be attending Cairn University and is considering majoring in math education, marketing, or sports management.
Three talented seniors who were members of the High School Worship Team — Daniella Ajayi, Tommy Ellison, Jr., and Jada Logan — presented special music during the program, performing “Time of Our Lives” by Tyrone Wells. Ajayi will be attending Howard University, where she plans to major in health sciences and minor in psychology. Ellison will be attending Liberty University, where he plans to major in nursing and minor in music therapy. Logan will be attending Temple University, where she plans to major in computer science.
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 2023 was collectively receiving $790,000 in college scholarships, after being offered $1.14 million from the schools they applied to. One graduate plans to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard.
Board of Directors Chair Pastor Les Tomlinson gave a closing charge to the graduates in his benediction at the close of the ceremony — Go out in joy, in confidence, in strength, in wisdom, in love with kindness and blessings to give away, use your studies to bless God’s beautiful world, and go out with freedom, knowing there so much more to see and enjoy.
Photo credits: Gail Crafton, AC Photo. The ACS Commencement can also be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@ACSEHT
