Contributed
In a picturesque outdoor ceremony on Thursday, July 16th twenty-nine deserving seniors finally took the long-anticipated walk in front of family and friends to receive their diplomas. Despite being put on hold for two months, Harrells Christian Academy’s Class of 2020 graduated with all of the pomp and circumstance traditionally reserved for this special day.
Following an inspiring Salutatory Address given by Jackson Hall of Wallace, three female graduates (Annabeth Ellis of Elizabethtown, Skylar Register of Teachey, and Amaya Sloan of Kenansville) sang “Oceans” by Hillsong. The class song has been a long-standing tradition at HCA commencements, and the harmonies of these three young ladies supplied just the right notes of poignancy and reverence.
Will deAndrade of Elizabethtown delivered the Valedictory Address with the perfect balance of humor and sentiment – a fitting farewell to the school he has called home for the last thirteen years.
HCA welcomed North Carolina House Representative Jimmy Dixon as the commencement speaker. As a former staff member and the Head Coach of HCA football from 1970-1973, Mr. Dixon’s words were especially moving as he charged the Class of 2020 to always cherish their upbringing and to esteem the values acquired during their years as Crusaders.
Assistant Head of School Mrs. Beth Griffin recognized the seniors for their collective $1,511,306 in scholarship earnings. The graduation ceremony was organized by class advisors Ruth Ann Parker and Kristen Spell and led by Junior Marshals Rhylee Pope of Clinton, Lekea Boney of Wallace, Sophia Dixon of Wallace, Hill Lanier of Wallace, Colby Stoppelbein of Kenansville, and Savannah Wells of Burgaw. Kindergarten Mascots were John-Ward Farrior of Wallace and Kate Hall also of Wallace. In his closing remarks, Head of School Andy Wells congratulated the Class of 2020 for their tenacity and patience in finishing out the school year under such unique and challenging circumstances.
[slideshow_deploy id=’193151′]
It was truly an unforgettable and well-deserved moment of celebration as these twenty-nine members of the Class of 2020 gathered together one last time to toss their caps and cheer, “We did it!”
View the video:
About Author
