OCHS graduates its first seniors
By Lori Porter
Acorn Staff Writer

MICHAEL COONS/T.O.A. FIRST CLASS-Kathie Whipp, left, hugs Marin Steinbrenner before graduation ceremonies at Oaks Christian High School on Friday. This was Oaks Christian's first graduating class with 73 students.

Oaks Christian High School (OCHS) conducted its inaugural commencement for the class of 2003 last Fri., June 6 inside the Calvary Community Church sanctuary.

OCHS opened its doors in the fall of 2000 when Kaley McDaniel was just starting high school. As a graduating senior, McDaniel welcomed family and friends to the 2003 graduation ceremony saying, "When we came here, we began a journey of faith, hope and love." She said now she’s on a journey to impact the world.

Impacting the attendees, an emotional Evan Nelson came to the podium to give his senior testimony, calling his classmates his life-support. Nelson was involved in a terrible car accident at the beginning of this year, which left him in a coma and in critical condition. Nelson said he couldn’t remember the accident or his time in the hospital, but, "spending a quarter of my senior year in the hospital and at home, I had so many friends come over to help me with my schoolwork so I could get up to speed." Nelson thanked his classmates and the faculty for getting him through a difficult time.

Class president Chaely Cooper presented Headmaster Jeff Woodcock with a plaque. It will go in the school garden with a bench—also given as a gift—and both will remember the first graduating class of OCHS. Cooper thanked the faculty, staff and students for giving her what she called, "a life that can be measured."

The presentation of Salutatorian went to Ben Spooner who’ll attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in the fall.

Dustin Long was the class Valedictorian, a young man who loves history and who encouraged his classmates to remember the past. Long will attend Pepperdine University this fall. He also received the Headmaster’s Award.

The keynote speaker was the Rev. Alistair Begg, a Scotsman who pastors a large church in Ohio, is a published author and has a radio talk show that can be heard on KKLA. Begg spoke to the graduates about the importance of remembering their creator. Begg said that Scotland was the first to mandate education for children back in 1492. Talking about today’s society being the most educated ever, Begg raised questions about contemporary society, saying it’s full of angst and a sense of futility.

Quoting sad statistics about violent crimes committed by educated people, Begg asked, "What’s the problem?" and then he offered an answer. "Education cannot heal the human heart and soul." He said the answer lies in remembering God. "We all have 86,400 seconds every day to invest our lives and live to the glory of God."

The class of 2003’s 73 graduates marched out of the sanctuary to Verdi’s Triumphal March. Following the ceremony was a cake and punch reception for the graduates, hosted by the class of 2004.