As they progress through their high school careers, students mature, they evolve.

Members of the Lititz Christian School (LCS) Class of 2023 experienced their fair share of growth. They've learned flexibility that will serve them well into the future.

During the evening hours of June 2, the 19 members of the Class of 2023 graduated during commencement exercises conducted at Lititz Christian School and adjoining Lititz Church of the Brethren. It was Lititz Christian's 28th graduation overall, but its first at the new facility it moved into at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year.

"They (the graduates) were very much united in their high school careers," said Lititz Christian's assistant head of school, Niki Cadwalader. "As freshmen, they started out with COVID. And when they were sophomores, they were still dealing with it. In their junior year, they found out they were moving. Then they spent their entire senior year in a new building."

The commencement began with an informal gathering for photos. From the gymnasium at the school, staff members and faculty members led the seniors in a procession to the church sanctuary for the ceremony.

The program featured an invocation; a reciting of the class verse; a presentation of the class gift; student speeches, including those from valedictorian Wynne Coolbeth and salutatorian Grace Gerard; a presentation of academic awards; a song sung by the high school choir; the awarding of diplomas; a song of blessing sung over the new graduates; and a prayer said for the rising Class of 2024.

In her speech Coolbeth noted the role that the school community has played in her life.

"I have been enrolled at LCS since kindergarten. Throughout the years, I have not only been challenged academically, but I have also been able to form deep connections with my classmates, my teachers, and, most importantly, with God," Coolbeth said. "My classmates are like my family, and I consider most of the faculty and staff at Lititz Christian to be good friends. One thing that I love about Lititz Christian is that the teachers are not only committed to giving each student a quality education, but also investing in each student and building relationships with them."

Every member of Lititz Christian's Class of 2023 graduated with a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0.

"This class is unique because everyone graduated with honors," said Cadwalader. "It's always bittersweet in the sense that the kids are moving away from the Lititz Christian family, but on to something greater. We're giving them their wings to impact the world for Christ."

"My favorite part of the ceremony is when the faculty sings a song of blessing over the kids," concluded Cadwalader. "It's touching. It's a way to show them that they will remain in our hearts. It's a beautiful way to send them off."