The Coalition of Homeschoolers Across Lancaster County (CHALC) honored 47 homeschooled seniors during its 28th annual graduation ceremony on May 24.

The ceremony was held at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church and included musical performances by members of the senior class, a commencement speech from the keynote speaker, a video collage of the graduates, a speech from a graduate, and the awarding of diplomas by parents.

The keynote address was given by Brandon Gilanyi, dean of students and high school humanities teacher at Firm Foundations Academy (FFA), a homeschool hybrid program. He is also the associate pastor at All Saints Church in New Holland. Next year, at FFA, Gilanyi will introduce a new gap year program for students called the Vision and Vocation Institute (VVI). The goal of the program is to connect local businesses to future entrepreneurs while helping young adults navigate their vocational calling.

Eden Troyer was chosen as the class speaker. Eden, the daughter of Jeff and Robin Troyer, earned a Mason Dixon diploma. In the fall, Eden plans to attend Lancaster Bible College to study Christian thought in the humanities with a concentration of writing and rhetoric.

The graduates performed "Holy Forever" as their class song. Their class Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 15:58.

The 2024 CHALC graduates are William Weaver of Akron; Joseph Dougherty of Bainbridge; Karli Egbert of Coatesville; Eden Troyer of Columbia; Hannah Cress, Sierra Eberly, and Joshua Michael Greve of East Earl; Josiah Michael Evans and Justin Zimmerman of Elizabethtown; Seana Dougherty, Seth Allen Lanford, Heidi Martin, Brianna Martin, Lily Shuke, and Lydia Shuke of Ephrata; Kaitlyn Beiler of Gap; Lori Yanello of Glen Rock; Owen Hostetter of Holtwood; Noah Ben-Judah Sellers of Jonestown; Keturah Jackson, Reese Olenik, Josiah Reitz, Jachin Robinson, Josiah Robinson, Mikya Weaver, and Hollyn Elise Yoder of Lancaster; Jaden Espenshade of Landisville; Ryan Hobwood and Elizabeth Sangrey of Leacock-Leola; Julian Wheeler of Leola; Austin Brubaker, Benjamin Riley Eichorst, Caden Sowada, Antonio Weaver, and Jacqueline Zimmerman of Lititz; Shelby Lynn Ebersole and Emily Norcott of Marietta; Lydia Gockley of Mohnton; Hannah Stoltzfus of Narvon; Iarah Clydde Bowman and Tanner Kurtz of New Holland; Merrily Shenk of Newmanstown; Alexis Boyer of Palmyra; Ella Mae Shick of Quarryville; Hope Asper and Paityn Seibel of Stevens; and Margaret Ellis of Willow Street.