HOULTON, Maine — A small, but close-knit group of eight graduating seniors bid a fond farewell to their school Saturday as Greater Houlton Christian Academy held its 25th annual commencement exercises.
Head of School Tom Zimmerman welcomed the audience and introduced Pastor Daniel Angotti of the Westfield Baptist Church who gave the invocation.
Salutatorian Jedidiah Grant encouraged his classmates to avoid complacency as they enter the next stage of their lives.
“I would like to say to my class, never be afraid to try those things you are not the best at or terrified of,” he said. “You never know when you will need to do something you are terrified of, but you can accomplish it if you set your mind to it.”
Former headmaster John Bishop was the guest speaker for the Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s graduation ceremony Saturday at the Military Street Baptist Church. (Joseph Cyr)
Valedictorian Abigail Angotti praised her peers for stepping up to the challenges the past two years of high school have presented. Because last year’s graduating class was just one student, members of the Class of 2017 have been active in school fundraisers for the past two years.
“We have faced many challenges, including several classmates and a teacher or two who have left, and we even have had three different headmasters to break in,” she said. “One big challenge that our class had to face was taking on responsibilities of a senior class while we were only juniors. I know some didn’t think we would be able to handle all the work and responsibilities, yet we proved them wrong.
“We have already encountered a lot of changes, but after today we will experience some of the biggest changes in our lives,” she continued. “College, career and marriage may be in the not so distant future for some of us. I know most of us are excited about this new step but probably a little nervous as well.”
She encouraged her classmates to remember during the difficult times in the years ahead the words of the gospel they have studied.
Former headmaster John Bishop, who has worked in Christian education for the past 29 years including six years at GHCA, served as the guest speaker for the service. Bishop gave a humorous address as he recalled his time at the school.
“It really is a joy to be here today,” Bishop said. “You always hear at every graduation, people say they won’t remember what the guest speaker said. They can forget everything I say, but I do hope they will not forget the word of God.”
Bishop urged the students to always be forward looking as they venture out into the world, but to also be mindful of where they came from.
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- Sam Carmichael, right, gives Ethan Jacques a “thumbs up” as the two get ready for the GHCA graduation ceremony Saturday, June 10. (Joseph Cyr)
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- Lindsey Watson plays the piano for Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s graduation service Saturday at the Military Street Baptist Church. (Joseph Cyr)
