Friends, family and faculty gathered at Lafayette Christian School Saturday afternoon for the final high school graduation of the year, in which LCS saw its senior class of 21 receive their diplomas.

After the introductory prayer, the Benaiah Medallion, an award that is given each year at graduation to a rising senior, was presented by graduating senior Griffin McLeroy to rising senior Danny Yarbrough. The award is presented each year to a rising senior who exemplifies characteristics spelled out in the Biblical story found in 2 Samuel 20.

“The Benaiah Award charges the recipient to faithfully and loyally engage himself, and to motivate his classmates to seek God and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ,” McLeroy said. “The recipient of the Benaiah Award should faithfully adhere to Christian morals, and should make sure his classmates do the same, leading by example.”

Both Salutatorian Taylor Earnhart and Valedictorian Emily Stringham spoke to the crowd related to their experiences over the years at LCS, the perseverance it took to get to graduation and the most important elements of life.

“I could easily say this is one of the most important days of our lives up to this point,” Earnhart expressed. “I want to emphasize today is no small accomplishment. We have worked tirelessly for 13 years for the privilege to stand on this stage tonight. For many of us, myself included, it sometimes felt like this day would never come. We’re a strong crowd of people who are prepared to step out into the world and accomplish great things.”

Stringham, who has attended LCS since pre-kindergarten, reminisced with the class on the shared experiences they have created over the course of the last decade-plus. Stringham also spoke to the impact of providential and divine timing, and ended her speech with a call to action.

“This is the most important thing you may ever hear,” Stringham said. “There is a God who loves you so dearly that he sent his one and only, perfect son, into a broken and dying world. Jesus Christ longs to have a relationship with you so much so that he died a gruesome death on a cross to pay for your sins. However, that is not the end of the story. Three days later, he rose from the dead, conquering sin and death, saving all who trust in him.”

The class also heard from LCS retired Spanish teacher Pat Taylor, who challenged the class to give their best in all they do in the next stage of life.

“Don’t be willing to just get by,” Taylor said. “My challenge to you tonight is that you will understand God has a great plan and purpose for your life, but you have got to choose this. I don’t want you to settle for less than what God has for you.”