Calvary Lutheran graduates off to conquer new heights


Members of the Calvary Lutheran High School 2018 graduating class return to their seats for the conclusion of the Service of Praise and Commencement on Saturday, May 26, 2018.
Members of the Calvary Lutheran High School 2018 graduating class return to their seats for the conclusion of the Service of Praise and Commencement on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Calvary Lutheran High School class of 2018 reached the top of a mountain Saturday morning.

Then, the Lutheran high school sent 22 seniors on to climb their next summit when they graduated at a ceremony held in the Calvary Lutheran gymnasium.

The Rev. Samuel Powell told students high school includes things like baseball, softball, concerts, theater and friends. No matter what they have planned next though, he told graduates that Jesus will be with them on their journey, and now they need to find other mountains to conquer.

"The plans that you have, you know as well as I do that they may not come to fruition exactly as you planned," Powell said. "As you struggle and you call home in the middle of your first year in college and you're struggling and you're having a hard time finding your place, (God) will always be with you."

Calvary Salutatorian Madeline Wilson said mistakes made by herself and her classmates make themselves better people.

"Mistakes are only mistakes if you don't learn from them," Wilson said. "Every experience and every failure are used for God and for his plan."

Calvary Valedictorian Allison Procter plans to attend Central Methodist University and hasn't decided on a major yet.

Procter said the small class size at the school allowed students to form tight bonds.

"We've definitely left our mark on this school," she said. "I never would've believed that we would've grown this close by the time we were seniors."

Wilson, 17, plans to attend the University of Missouri and major in journalism. Growing up, Wilson's parents imparted on her the importance of politics. She said she's interested in law and politics and may dive further into those subjects in college.

"I'd love to work in (Washington) D.C.," she said.

Wilson's faith in Jesus grounds her she said, adding she enjoyed her time at Calvary.

"I'm excited to be done," Wilson said. "It's been a lot of fun being here the past four years, but I'm ready to move on."