‘Into the arena’

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy Class of 2022 was sent forth into the world Saturday afternoon, with a lot of prayer and thanks to God.

“If MLCA has taught us anything, it is that God is constantly there with us as you prepare for a new chapter in your life,” said Associated Student Body class representative and MLCA senior Rebecca Starcher in her address. “Do not worry about the future, for only He knows what it is. So before you go out and celebrate your newfound freedom, take a moment to remember those who have helped you get there. Be overjoyed by the prospect of a new life. And as always, trust that God will guide you in the correct direction.”

The nine seniors (a tenth class member wasn’t present) processed into the school’s chapel to “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the ceremonies started with an address from Director of Learning and Teaching Crystal Kast.

“Now we launch the graduating class of 2022 into a world full of new opportunities and challenges to conquer,” she said. “We do this with confidence that they will go equipped, not only to endure the world in which we live, but also greatly transform it. Graduates, regardless of what field of work or corner of the world you're headed to, God will be there. And He wants to use you in intentional ways.”

Next came the National Anthem, sung by the MLCA choir, followed by a video presentation, featuring a slideshow of photos of each senior growing up, then a video of the senior thanking the people in his or her life – parents, teachers and friends – who helped them make it through to graduation. This gratitude carried over into a mini-ceremony in which each senior presented his or her parents with flowers, followed by Starcher’s address.

“Today, my fellow seniors, is a day we have all been waiting for,” she said. “After many hard days and sleepless nights, we are finally able to walk up to the stage and receive our diploma. Today is the last day of our childhood. We will be adults … We will be able to make our own decisions, traveling in the direction we desire and spend time with the people we prefer. But before you walk out those doors, I have some advice for you. This is a complex world in which you are about to enter. There will be many ups and downs on the path you're about to take. Always remember that you will fail before you succeed. Before you rise, you will fall. Fortunately, life is not horrible. Your friends and family will be there for you. They will accompany you on your journey through life”

Joy Lies, the school’s high school English and Bible teacher, pronounced a blessing over the students, including the priestly prayer from Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Next speaker was Jeremy Robertson, who exhorted the students to rise above mediocrity in the words of Theodore Roosevelt: ““It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood ... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause.”

Robertson spoke of helping four boys learn to ride bicycles, holding onto the bike seat until the child could pedal himself, and compared that to the new graduates’ future.

“You can be the one out in the arena,” he said. “You're gonna have your ups and your downs. I just want you to understand that it is intimidating; the world can be a scary place, the arena. And you're at that point in your life where you're first time experiencing the world without the benefit of having your parents holding. You're gonna have to step up and pedal down the road.”

After the seniors received their diplomas from Kast and turned their tassels, class advisor and MLCA teacher Brendan Thompson delivered a final benediction, and the Moses Lake Christian Academy grads strode forth to face the arena.

That path went by way of the gathering area outside the chapel, where there was a display of photos and memorabilia for each graduate. Newly minted alumni visited with attendees, hugged each other and exulted in the face of the future.

“I just love senior year,” said Starcher. “You get to see the last people you’ll see in high school. It’s one last goodbye.”

Joel Martin can be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.

Moses Lake Christian Academy Class of 2022

Class motto: “I don’t know about you but I’m feeling the Class of 2022.”

Class verse: “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” – Psalm 118:14.

Kenzy Boorman

David Chavez

Christian Hoefler

Aspen Merkle

Jacob Robertson

Pierre Boorman

Kaylin Hampton

Grace Meiners

Landon Pruett

Rebecca Starcher