Graduation 2010!
SOUTH TEXAS -- Area churches celebrated spring graduations by giving each graduate a Bible and by honoring their seniors in other ways. The class of 2010 includes a salutatorian, a valedictorian, and many others who have excelled in other ways, but all can speak well of the God who has brought them this far.
Pleasanton
The Pleasanton elders presented Bibles to the high school graduating seniors on Sunday, May 23. They also honored an exchange student, Myung A Shin, "Rachel," who spent her junior year with their church family. She lived with the Norwoods and attended Jourdanton High.
The Pleasanton High School grads include Erica Aguero, Andrew Cantu,
Jennifer Haley, Jessica Matlock, Michael Neeley and Chelsea Welch.
Meagan Eisenhauer and Emilie Norwood marched across the Jourdanton High School stage.
Weber Road
In Corpus Christi, over 140 people attended the Weber Road Senior Reception on May 16 in the Fellowship Hall.
Adam Clarke is a Ray High School grad and Cheyenne Crook completed her education at Turtle Cove Academy.
Allison Calloway, Trystin Washington, and Austin Calloway marched across the King High School stage.
The seniors graduating from Carroll High School include Amy Jackson, Ashley Winegeart, Amanda Hinojosa, and Everett Huerta.
Kerrville
The church in Kerrville honored its seniors during a Sunday morning assembly on May 23. Troy Robertson, Medina Children’s Home campus minister, brought the lesson. Each graduate received a Bible signed by church members.
The students who were recognized include Maria Diosdado, Ross Dunagan, Caleb Elks, Cheyenne Rodriguez, Samantha Schleyer, Tanner Starr, Alex Walker, Michael Weisinger.
New Braunfels
In New Braunfels, the church feted a home school grad and others from Christian Heritage, New Braunfels, Byron P. Steele and Canyon high schools. Paige Buck, daughter of Kris and Amy Buck, plans to attend ACU in the fall and major in interior design.
Paige's favorite youth group memory is the retreat where Joey Wrape washed everyone’s feet. She says she will never forget it.
Brien and Karen Hocher's son Matt lettered in Special Olympics and won medals at LTC. His favorite youth group memory is when he got baptized at Camp Bandina in 2006. His future plans include working at Schlitterbahn this summer and seeking permanent employment through the Life Bridge Transition Program.
Kyle Jenkins' favorite youth group memory is when the Roadrunner Cabin at Camp Bandina performed a “Men in Tights” skit. The son of Andy and Jackie Jenkins, Kyle plans to go into the Army Reserves in hopes of attending Ranger School.
Ben Kline, son of Amy Klein, has fond memories of Camp Bandina. He plans to begin working on an education degree with classes at NE Lakeview Community College.
Spencer Le is the son of Melisa and Tre Le and has been home-schooled since kindergarten. Spencer has been an actor in the Time Traveler Theatre, he plays piano and cello with several area ensembles and orchestras, and he has finished in the top ten of Bible Bowl since the fourth grade. He plans to attend Texas A&M and be a member of the Corps of Cadets.
Monica Martinez's favorite youth group memory was the Girl’s Night Out to the Riverwalk. The daughter of Victor and Kathy Martinez, Monica hopes to attend culinary school, eventually running her own catering company.
The daughter of David and Nikko Peterson, Audrey remembers the Conway-Grand Prairie youth group trips, Camp Bandina and church lock-ins fondly. The Byron P. Steele High School grad plans to attend college in the fall.
Shelbie Roebeck is the daughter of Darren and Kathy Roebeck, and she will graduate as Christian Heritage High School salutatorian. LTC 2010 is her favorite youth group memory. Shelbie plans to attend Harding University in the fall.
Lindsey Smith's favorite youth group memory is when her group was gutting a house on the New Orleans Katrina Work Camp and the sheetrock fell on her head. The daughter of Todd and Linda Smith, Lindsey will be attending Abilene Christian in the fall to major in theatre education.
Cody Varner is the son of Jamie Krampitz and Kevin Varner. He graduated from New Braunfels High School, and he plans to attend San Antonio College.
Mark and Debbie Werner's daughter, Katelyn, will graduate as the New Braunfels High School Valedictorian out of a class of 457 students. Her favorite youth group memory is singing in the pavilion at Camp Bandina. Katelyn plans to attend Abilene Christian where she is a Presidential Scholarship recipient; she will major in English and minor in either chemistry or biblical studies.
San Antonio - San Pedro
The graduating seniors of the San Pedro congregation enjoyed a party with the church on May 16. Those honored include Ryan Galindo, Klarissa Berry and Dyllon Vargas.
Southeast
Ashley Balles and Gabby Moreno were honored by the Southeast Church of Christ for their achievement. Their graduation reception was held on May 23 in the fellowship hall.
Northside
The congregation at Northside recognized its seniors on Sunday, May 16. Elder Alan Cooper introduced Angel Guerra, Julia Hoyack, Jared Huddleston, Justin Judkins, Adrienne Kennedy, Paige Klinge, Kirsten Ramey, Jay Richardson, Ranae Tribbitt, Kyle Tucker, Carl Wilkinson, and Aimee Youngblood. Wilkinson spoke on the seniors' behalf.
The elders and church prayed over the graduates of Reagan, Smithson Valley, Johnson, Judson, Canyon, Steele, MacArthur and East Central high schools. Then, each senior prayed for a time with a chosen partner. Youth Minister Andy Glenn brought the lesson.
Our Weslaco correspondent best expressed the sentiments of the whole church: "We are very proud of our graduates and know that the Lord will direct their paths as they move toward their goals."