Laurelbrook Academy SDA Church

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Four Seniors Graduate

 

The Commencement service began on May 26, 2019 about 10:30 a.m. in the academy auditorium with Maria (junior) playing her violin. The juniors took their seats in the section they had been using the entire weekend. The seniors walked in to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” (recorded).

 

Rich Sutton, Laurelbrook’s president and academy principal, welcomed everyone, had the invocation, and talked about Laurelbrook.  Laurelbrook is now in its 69^th year, still showcasing the Madison model. Laurelbrook takes a whole weekend for graduation to emphasize consecration instead of just an evening like many schools.

 

The four seniors then gave their graduation speeches, a summary of which follows.

 

Suriel Balleza – I wasn’t sure about the experiences I would find when I came to Laurelbrook. But I have learned so much from two years practicing many skills in various areas of the vocational program – maintenance and construction, agriculture, housekeeping, and kitchen work.  I feel really prepared for the next step in my life because of what I have learned at Laurelbrook.

 

Itzel Huerta – My family didn’t have the money to send me to Laurelbrook, but God provided the money for my sister and me to come here. I had stopped reading my Bible and taking part in church activities. But “Laurelbrook has outreach programs, mission trips, canvassing programs, and Bible studies and all of this has helped me to develop a closer relationship with God.”  A big thanks to Laurelbrook because its program enabled me to leave my old life behind.

 

Jissel Perez – This is my third year at Laurelbrook.  I came because Laurelbrook was known as a missionary school. I certainly have not been disappointed.  Just this year I took two trips to build churches in my home country of Mexico (but in another state than mine).   In Cuba we couldn’t build anything but used our time to run Vacation Bible Schools and other activities.   I have learned that whatever we do to help fulfil God’s commission to go and preach the gospel and help others, He will give us the strength to do.

 

Ashley Perez – Laurelbrook changed my life. I used to feel that there was no particular reason to study the Bible or pray.  But at Laurelbrook, the outreach program Pastor Richie runs gave me a purpose for studying and praying. And the trip to Cuba gave me a further reason for study and prayer.  I discovered that I must be consistent and disciplined to reach my goals as I prepare for the future. Put God first in whatever you do.

 

Rich Sutton then gave the principal’s address.  Notes on this address follow:

 

1. Philippines 1:3- “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,”
2. Philippines 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:”
3. We require staff members to be both on the vocational and on the academic program.
4. He congratulated many long-serving staff members – James and Nancy Brenneman, Brenda Herra, Dena Marlowe, Rick and Wendy Carr, Jean Talley, Keith Ferguson – and others who had spent time teaching. It added up to 546 years.
5. By God’s grace, Laurelbrook is here. 
6. Philippines 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:”

 

Registrar Juanita Smith presented vocational certificates and the diplomas that the four seniors were expecting. Maria and Eliseo (juniors) had special music.

 

Rich Sutton had the benediction and introduced the juniors as the Class of 2020. Jeremy Westcott played the recessional, and the juniors (now seniors) and the four graduates went to the porch and stood in a line to receive congratulations from audience members.