“Created…Called…Now What?” was the theme of Bethany Christian High School’s 55th commencement address on Sunday, May 31.

Steve Slagel, pastor at East Goshen Mennonite Church, challenged the 47 graduates to take Psalm 1 to heart and become “strong trees planted by the river of water” and to seek the vision of John in Revelation for “followers of Christ to release their allegiance to the broken structures of the world and embrace allegiance to the reign of Christ which is being done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Symbolizing the creativity of the class and reflecting the class theme, art teacher Eric Kaufmann created an earthen vessel during the choir’s performance of “Let Everything that Hath Breath” and “I Go to the Rock,” and then as part of the recessional each graduate received a unique ceramic piece with a purposeful flaw made by Kaufmann.

Graduate Hannah Grieser in her student address also noted the creativity and uniqueness that has defined her class. “Everyone is formed by God; created with unique personalities. Although we are created with varying characteristics, we are all vessels that God uses for bringing goodness and a positive influence to our world.”

Classmate Lewis Caskey noted that life isn’t a matter of milestone, but of memories. He asked his classmates to stand and applaud the audience who have supported them during their time at Bethany—in gratitude for their hours given in transporting them to school, helping with schoolwork, attending ballgames, baking pies for fish fry, praying, and most of all for “sending us to Bethany.” He concluded, “We will all return to this school at some point…. As we come back changed, let’s not forget what all this place has done for us, and let us remember what we can do for it.”

Four students with grade point averages surpassing 4.0 who were named co-valedicorians for the class of 2009: Sierra Germeyan, daughter of Celil and Jennifer Lucas-Germeyan; Erin Helmuth, daughter of Ray and Sonja Gyori-Helmuth; Elias Kehr, son of Bryan and Anita Kehr; and Casey Snyder, daughter of Jeffery and Debra Snyder. Other students with grade point averages of 3.9 or higher and finishing in the top 10 of the class included Hannah Grieser, Luke Hostetter, Elyse Morgan, Mary Roth, Jonny Shenk, and Lynelle Yoder.

The class gift included funding to help with classroom renovation.

Class sponsor Krysten Parson gives a graduate his ceramic piece during the recessional.

Church-Home-School in Partnership: Senior parents Steve and Linda Thomas representing the church insert a flower into a vase.

Celebrating as graduates

Class officers present the class gift to board chair Randy Christophel.