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| Churches congratulate college grads SOUTH TEXAS -- Several congregations across the region had members or members’ relatives complete college degrees recently. These are a few. Ortiz and Garcia CORPUS CHRISTI -- At Norton Street here, the church congratulated two of its members. Joshua Ortiz completed training as a physical therapist at Delmar College here. He will work here in the city. Crystal Garcia completed medical school at Texas Tech University. She begins her internship in Austin soon. She will study at the Dell Children’s Hospital working in pediatric oncology with children who are battling cancer. Pleasanton has six college grads PLEASANTON -- The church here recognized the achievements of several loved ones. Each completed the course of training at a different university. Erin Porter earned a BS in special ed from the University of Texas at Austin. At its Clear Lake campus, Erika Slater completed work for the Masters in Applied Behavioral Analysis from the University of Houston. James Andrews attended Texas A & M University in Corpus Christi, finishing a double major in communications and psychology. Joanna Benskin also double-majored at Harding University, but focused on languages. She earned degrees in English and Greek. At the University of Texas in San Antonio,Isaiah Robinson completed work for two degrees, too, one in history and the other in social studies. Mason Shirley attended Abilene Christian University and earned a Bible degree. Lenard, Cummings, Schwartz KERRVILLE -- The church here extended congratulations as Dustin Lenard graduated from Texas A & M University May 16 with a BA in Construction Science. He plans to continue working in the College Station area this summer and will then seek fulltime employment in the construction industry. Art and Donna Lenard are the proud parents. Minister Greg and his wife Debbie’s son, Luke Cummings, graduated from Abilene Christian University on May 9 with a BA in Music. He will be performing this summer at the Pointe Theatre in “Beauty and the Beast” and plans to intern in Opera at Texas State University in the fall while working toward a master’s degree. Lauren Michele Schwartz graduated from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., on May 16 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree. She plans to pursue a master’s degree and will be in Kerrville for the summer. Proud parents are Mike and Margie Schwartz. Stevens and Seliga SAN MARCOS -- The University church here congratulated two students who crossed the stage during the Texas State University commencement ceremonies on May 15-16. Traci Jo Stevens completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Psychology. Matt Seliga earned a BS in Exercise and Sports Science and Pre-physical Therapy. Hicks and Cannon SAN ANTONIO -- Lackland Terrace congratulated Jeremy Hicks and Rose Cannon for completing college degrees. Cannon earned an associate’s degree in business management from Palo Alto College here. Hicks graduated from Tennessee’s Freed-Hardeman University with a double major in public relations and youth ministry. HS Graduates from South Texas SOUTH TEXAS -- Many congregations of the Lord’s church participated in a spring ritual recently. The church blessed and sent off her graduating seniors in various ways. Most churches gave each senior the gift of the word, the Bible. Here are a few other ways they marked the passage. Lackland Terrace SAN ANTONIO -- Lackland Terrace seniors were recognized on May 31 right after the morning assembly with a gift of a Bible presented by the elders. The members placed gifts and cards by each student’s display on a table set up in the back of the auditorium. Victor Castro, the son of Dottie and Herman Castro, and Delissya Dew, daughter of Brandon and Jessica Carter, both graduated from Warren High School. John Daniel Luna, son of Johnny and Rosario Luna, is a Lanier High grad. Randolph Church of Christ UNIVERSAL CITY - Xavier Jawaan Strong, son of Charles and Rhonda Strong, will graduate June 5 from Randolph High School here. Strong was born in Wiesbaden,Germany and has traveled to various states as a military dependent. He was baptized in Shreveport, Louisiana at the Russell Road Church of Christ, and according to his family, he continues to be “God’s work in progress!” He continues to grow in the Lord through strong teaching, volunteer works, and congregational involvement. Strong has always loved art and not only has he received various awards but his work has been displayed in several art shows. In his spare time, he writes scripts, story arcs, and annotates his many future media ideas. His new interest is playing bass, writing lyrics, and studying standard notations. Having an analytical mind has given him a passion for computers and their uniqueness and his future goal is to design computer programs that encompass music and teaching. Strong also serves as the Randolph High School Senior Class president. He has enrolled at Abilene Christian University and will major in computer science. The family worships with the Randolph Church of Christ. MacArthur Park SAN ANTONIO -- MacArthur Park celebrated the graduation of sixteen seniors in its Class of ‘09. This very talented group of young people includes Jordan Abshier, son of Mark and Ellen Abshier, graduating from Winston Churchill High School. Jordan plans to attend ACU. Alexandria Adams, daughter of Don and Cynthia Adams, is graduating from New Braunfels High School. She plans to attend the University of the Incarnate Word. Katy Arbuckle, daughter of Eddie and Debi Arbuckle, is graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. She plans to attend Trinity University or Hardin Simmons University. Caitlyn Bair, daughter of Tony and Cindy Bair, is graduating from Winston Churchill High School. She plans to attend Texas A&M University in the fall where she will major in Biomedical Engineering. Cody Britt, son of Quinn and She ila Britt, is graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. He plans to attend college but is undecided at this time. Melinda Brown (photo right), daughter of Doug and Laurie Brown, is graduating from James Madison High School. She plans to attend ACU. Kelsie Collins, daughter of Jerry and Joy Collins, is graduating from Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School. She plans to attend LCU where she will be majoring in Pharmacy. Kylie Dunn, daughter of Lloyd and Robbie Dunn, has been home schooled. She plans to major in Occupational Therapy at Texas Women’s University. Marc Milani, son of Mike and Virginia Milani, is graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. He plans to attend SAC and UTSA. Lauren Myers, daughter of David and Barbara Myers, is graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. Brandi Tamez, daughter of Roland and Janie Tamez, is graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. She plans to attend SAC and major in Criminal Justice. Dylan Sanchez, son of Val and Tina Sanchez, is graduating from Judson High School. He plans to attend UTSA in the fall. Kaci Shough, daughter of Richard and Janet Shough, is graduating from Douglas MacArthur High School. She plans to attend OCU and major in nursing. Tiara Toney, daughter of Byron and Erica Toney, is graduating from Karen Wagner High School. She plans to attend the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor in the fall where she will be a nursing major. Zachery Tart, son of James and Patricia Tart, has been home schooled. He hopes to get into flight school. Brandon Valley, son of Twana Valley, isgraduating from Samuel Clemens High School. He plans to attend OCU. This group was honored at MacArthur Park on May 17 in a special service where Richard Shough presented the Challenge to Seniors while Kody Speer introduced each graduate. A slideshow highlighting the seniors was also presented. Northwest SAN ANTONIO -- Sixteen graduating seniors were honored at Northwest Church of Christ in a special Sunday evening service on May 17. Those graduating include: Andrienne Babola, O’Conner HS; Roland Barron, O’Conner HS; Kelly Baskin, O’Conner HS; Crystal Davia, Jay HS; Jennifer Feise, Marshall HS; Christopher Gerick, Radiance Academy; David Gerick, Radiance Academy; James Hagler, Warren HS; Sarah Hernandez, Marshall HS; Brandon Huber, Home School; Hillary Morrow, O’Conner HS; Matthew Orth, Home School; Nick Soots, O’Conner HS; Marcus Uechi, Marshall HS; Macy Wideman, O’Conner HS; and Stephanie Willeford, Home School. Weber Road CORPUS CHRISTI -- The Weber Road congregation here feted its grads with a senior reception in the building. The evening reception was held on May 17. Denise Hammitt gathered photos and information, and Dewayne Nix put together a video about the seniors. The Carroll High grads are Courtney Caddell, Ryan Greene, Colton Nelson and Ashley Sims. Andrew Villareal and Chelsie Yaklin graduated from King High School. Kevin Baldwin, Sierra Crook, Sarah Gatica attended Ray High, Turtle Cove Academy and Moody High, respectively. Norton Street CORPUS CHRISTI -- Another Corpus Christi grad is Norton Street’s David Guillen. Guillen graduated from Flour Bluff High and plans to study mechanical engineering. The son of Elder Tomas Guillen and his wife, Ester, the young man plans to begin his college work at Delmar College and then transfer. Kerrville Church of Christ KERRVILLE -- A catered Celebration Dinner 2009 at Medina Children’s Home, Saturday, May 16,  honored the Kerrville church’s graduates. The Tivy High School grads include Collin Dill, Emily Donaldson and Allison Ingram. Students graduating from Medina High School include Garrett Barfield, Shaina Black, Kelsey Clark, Crystal Moreno, Brittany Rice (photo right), Nikolai Starr and Madeline Whilden. Erica Porter graduated from Our Lady of the Hills and Jon Schleyer, from Boerne High School. Kristin Schwartz took her diploma from Kerrville Hill Country High. Coryl Derby and Olivia Dixon completed their high school requirement through home schooling. Pleasanton PLEASANTON -- The church here also graduated students. Timothy Kindrick Jr., marched across the stage at Jourdanton High School. Pleasanton High grads include Mystle Crossland, Emilie Morlock and Ross Porter. Exhange students who did the commencement march are Mohammed Al Jaberi and Dima Kharchenko, Steven Robertson graduated from Poteet High, and Samantha Varela participated in the Thomas Jefferson High School/San Antonio ceremony. Katherine Norwood coordinated the photo slides showing the seniors’ growth during the church celebration. The elders presented Bibles to the graduates on May 24 during a Sunday assembly. San Marcos SAN MARCOS -- Five high school students graduating here are members of the University church. The church held a Saturday evening banquet and Sunday night baccalaureate for them. The church gave prayers, gifts and money-tree proceeds to Jerri Kay Myers, Cole Burke, Kevin Mutschlechner, Kristen Kallus and Ross Randow. Central church VICTORIA -- April festivities marked the transition from high school to life for the eight seniors at the Central church here. A banquet held on April 11 honored Tristan Appelt, Matthew Clem, Cooper Franks, Diedra Hurley, Ariel Medrano, Justin Pachta, Daniela Rendon and Katrina Wooton. San Pedro SAN ANTONIO -- The San Pedro congregation celebrated with graduates Lori Vargas and Jordan Connor after the evening assembly on May 31. The reception included fellowship, food, dessert and gifts. Vargas is planning to complete the basics at San Antonio College. After that, the Pleasanton High grad plans to study veterinary science at Texas A & M. Trinity Christian Academy graduate Connor plans to continue the course of study he has begun with Northeast Lakeview’s dual credit classes. He anticipates transferring to the University of Texas to major in studies that lead to working with the FBI. Connor recently completed a mission trip to San Francisco. His group served the Hot Dog Church, so named because a big part of its ministry involves serving the franks and buns. The students also fed the homeless, worked at a children’s fair and helped put on a teen challenge. Northside Church of Christ SAN ANTONIO -- The Northside Church of Christ here honored its 2009 high school graduates during special times during the weekend of May 17. They recognized Bryan Bastos, Nichelle Fields, Daniel Freeman, Emily Glenn, Lindsey Hawkins, Megan Jackson, Emily Jones, Austin Lopez, Trenton Petty, Matthew Rodriguez. Ashley Teague, Katelin Turner, Rachel Wharton and Nathan Wolf. The junior class, especially their parents, planned for weeks and worked tirelessly to make the Superhero celebration held on Saturday evening a special one for the graduates, their families and guests. There was also much celebration during the next morning as these same graduates were treated to a reception which included memorabilia tables for each senior. A banner for each graduate was signed by the Northside members with sincere thoughts and wishes for their future. Following the reception, a worship assembly was held in the Northside auditorium which included a special time of prayer with individuals whom the seniors had chosen to be their prayer partners. Northside’s Student Minister, Andy Glenn, brought the lesson. Shepherd Alan Cooper led a prayer and Sam Coffee, another elder, challenged the class. Matthew Rodriguez spoke on behalf of the graduating class. He presented a video of the seniors sharing memories of their time at Northside. Senior adult Minister, Mike Hartsell, led the communion meditation. The consensus of the morning captures the prayer of the church in South Texas for all of her seniors: “It is with bittersweet emotions that the Northside congregation sends these graduates off to pursue their dreams and look to their futures. God speed, graduates!” | |
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