Jeff Linville | The News
The seniors of White Plains Christian School perform “Your Will for Our Lives” at Friday’s ceremony. They are, from left, Dillon Shockley, Hannah Hemric, Caleb Hall, Ericka Sawyers, Zane Eaton, Ashley Tucker, Tyler Yarboro and Karen Moore.
Jeff Linville | The News
Karen Moore presents flowers to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Danny Moore.
Jeff Linville | The News
White Plains also honored its 10 eighth-graders who are moving up to the freshman ranks. Here, they stand to receive their certificates.
Jeff Linville | The News
Valedictorian Dillon Shockley thanks his teachers for their care and encouragement over the past 13 years.
White Plains Christian School honored its eight graduates on Friday night, including a photo slide show of their many years in the program.
Where: White Plains Christian School’s gymnasium
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Number of Graduates: Eight.
Speaker: Wesley Tucker, 2004 WPCS graduate and son of the Rev. David Tucker
What the Speaker Said: Wesley Tucker said he suffered some culture shock going from a Christian school to Surry Community College. He said he felt shy about his background, but advised seniors that there is no reason to hide their religious beliefs.
Tucker quoted Matthew 5: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.
Then he quoted 2 Corinthians 6: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
When he was in college, Tucker said he was friends with this fellow for three semesters, then the young man copied Tucker’s answers on a test.
It’s OK to be friendly with lots of people, he advised, but don’t yoke yourself onto someone who doesn’t share your goals and morals.
What the Graduates Said: Salutatorian Hannah Hemric said, “Do what makes you happy, for you will go far with what your heart desires. … Live where you want to live, marry who you truly love and work at the job that you enjoy the most.”
She preached passion and compassion.
“Put your heart into everything you do, be passionate about things in your life,” said Hemric. “You accomplish more things when you care about what you’re doing.”
“Always have compassion for others. You never know what they might be going through.”
Valedictorian Dillon Shockley said to his fellow seniors, “Remember when we used to have nap time in kindergarten? And we used to pitch a fit because we didn’t want to lie down? As we progressed through school, there were times we wished we had nap times back.”
Then he said, “I could talk for hours about the memories made in my years here, but it’s not the memories that define us, it’s what we make of them.
“As graduates we face many uncertainties in both the immediate and distant future. However, uncertainty is another word for opportunity.”
To the teachers and staff at the school, Shockley said, “You have been there for us with encouragement and care, and you have had faith when we doubted ourselves. You have instilled in us the self-confidence needed to reach for our dreams.”
What the Graduates Did: Senior Karen Moore read a poem, then the eight seniors joined together to sing, “Your Will for Our Lives.”
After that, the seniors each went out into the audience to present flowers to their family in attendance.
The eighth-graders presented a short skit and finished with the song “His Life for Mine.”
After the ceremony, the graduates moved up the hill from the gym for a reception.
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