"Live Honorable Lives"

This was the advice of the Honorable Daniel Grimes, former Goshen City Councilman and father of graduation senior Emily, to the 51 graduates of the class of 2010. He offered graduates five suggestions to successfully living an honorable life: 1) acquire spiritual and academic knowledge, 2) be open to diversity, 3) be discerning, 4) strive to be pure and blameless, and 5) remain connected to Jesus Christ." He also told them that they can achieve anything because they have received a strong Christian education with “academics simply second to none.”

Grimes concluced with these words from Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV): "And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God."

Student speakers Corine Alvarez and Joel Fidler concluded their speech by asking their classmates to remember what Bethany has taught them: “to learn to love everyone, that diligence pays off, that humor makes life easier, to treasure every moment, and that Christ is always walking with us.”

The program included a invocation by Nancy Lora (pastor, former board member, and mother of graduate Clarissa), prayer of blessing by class co-sponsor Dale Shenk, and represenatives from church (pastor Lyle Miller and parent of senior Tony), home (Tsutomu Otsuka, parent of senior Yumi), and school (Amy Thut, class co-sponsor), presenting mugs and vases made by art teacher Eric Kaufmann--each graduate received one as part of the recessional. Graduates also performed as part of the concert choir and in accompanying on drums during the congreation's singing of the South African hymn, "Siyahamba."

Three students with grade point averages surpassing 4.0 who were named co-valedicorians for the class of 2010: Corine Alvarez, daughter of Diane Beam and Jim Alvarez; Sara Klassen, daughter of Mary and Tyler Klassen; and Mihailo Rebec, son of Mihailo Rebec and Susan VanGalder. Other students with A averages finishing in the top 10 of the class included Emma Gerig, Karli Graybill, Emily Grimes, Julianne Leichty, Tony Miller, Slavko Rebec, and Marissa Weldy.

The class gift included money for installing a logo on the basketball court, tuition assitance, and renovating restroom lighting.

Bethany fans help beat the heat on a hot day

Taking a ceramic piece as part of the recessional.

Checking out their diplomas