St. Joseph Christian School host graduation for class of '24

Jenna Wilson, St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
·2 min read

May 12—St. Joseph Christian School celebrated its 2024 graduating class on May 12 with 28 graduating seniors receiving diplomas.

The graduation ceremony held at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church was presented with an opening prayer by Mr. Todd Miller, Teacher of the Year Announcement, Salutatorian address from student Lilly Walker, Valedictorian address from student Claire Phillips and a parent tribute from each graduate upon receiving their diplomas.

Speeches given by both students and administration emphasized the importance of using faith to get through the challenges life will bring when transitioning into adulthood.

SJCS Bible Teacher and Campus Chaplain, Andrew McDonald, said each of these graduates' development of faith over the years is a characteristic that will make facing those tough challenges not so difficult for them.

"So many people today struggle with the mental side of life," McDonald said. "But truth has got to win at the end of the day and Jesus Christ is the ultimate truth. If these students continue to follow Him and they're in the center of his will then He's going to take care of everything to come ahead, from the trials to victories they'll face."

Along with sharing words of encouragement, the Chaplain and others went on to make note of the one thing that made the 2024 graduating class stand out which was their sense of "togetherness."

"Many of them have been at Saint Joe Christian since they were in kindergarten and preschool," McDonald said. "This may be the most that we've ever graduated that went all through grade school together which illustrates that togetherness I mentioned in my speech. Usually at the end of senior year of high school, people are tired of each other, and I just don't feel like that was the case with this group. They truly enjoy one another's company."

St. Joseph Christian School 2024 graduates include: Emma Baker, David Benson, Brianna Blake, Nathaniel Brown, Chloe Burnham, Breana Davis, Ella Dubois, Austin Frank, Maya Freudenthal, Vail Fruechting, Hunter Huff, Jaci Jorgensen, Shoei Konishi, Rylynn Lane, Genevieve McDowell, Jaren Padgett, Seoyun Park, Taylor Parmer, Joshua Peek, Claire Phillips, Sophie Schilling, Judson Smith, Nikols Smith, Raegan Stevens, Lilly Walker, Danika Wattenbarger, Emily Wing and Alana Woods.

Graduation for other high schools in the St. Joseph School district will commence next weekend.

Jenna Wilson can be reached at jenna.wilson@newspressnow.com.