The Coalition of Homeschoolers Across Lancaster County (CHALC) honored 59 homeschool seniors during its 28th annual graduation ceremony on May 26.

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

The keynote address was given by John Blowers, an executive and leader in the small business, nonprofit and local government sectors for more than 30 years. Blowers is currently a member of the leadership team at Martin Flooring Inc. in Fivepointville and serves on the board of directors for Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority.

Peter Hasse of East Earl and Mya Higgins of Lancaster were chosen to deliver the class speeches. Hasse, the son of William and Pamela Hasse, earned an E.C.H.S.D.A. diploma with honors in mathematics, science and fine arts. He plays cello with the Veritas and Allegretto orchestras, as well as the Amorelle String Quartet. This fall, he will attend Grove City College to study chemistry and swim for the college team.

Higgins, the daughter of Brad and Tammy Higgins, earned a Mason Dixon Academic Honors diploma with Leadership Distinction and Honors for Performance in Fine Arts. Higgins will attend Regent University Honors College to pursue a degree in secondary education.

The graduates performed "Psalm 46 - Lord of Hosts" as their class song. Their class Bible verse is 1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

In addition to Peter and Mya, the 2023 CHALC graduates are Joel Maclaren of Bainbridge; Faith VanHanxleden of Bernville; Abigail Ingram, Jaden Munro and Jonathan Osman of Conestoga; Sarah Fellenbaum of Columbia; Ethan Horst and Tanna Witmer of Denver; Corrin James of Douglassville; Jonah Trubey of Drumore; Ethan Birmingham, Bryan Cress, Benjamin Greve and Tavia Harthcock of East Earl; Aam Eaby of East Petersburg; Alina Hofstetter of Elizabethtown; Asher Fogie, Kaylor Fogie, Brennan Hurst, Season Jarvis, Serena Lanford, Karis MacLean, Abigail Mohler, Brooke Moser and Chloe Weaver of Ephrata; Logan Bughman, Finley Clough, Annie Hoffman, Abigail Jackson, Annabell McLennan, Nicholas Romanoff, Breanna Ross and Jacob Smoker of Lancaster; Marcos Rodriguez of Landisville; Daniel Artale, Naomi Byers, Erika Gerlach, Anica Maier, Chanel Martin, Liana Minnich, Tylan Renno, Maxim Sauder, Sarah Snavely and Kaelie Stahl of Lititz; Lily Patota of Marietta; Mark Scheidel of Mohnton; Ada King and Cyrus Walker of Narvon; Bethany Andrews of New Holland; Abigail Zook of Newmanstown; Marybeth Herr of Oxford; Joshua Griffiths of Peach Bottom: Torance Moore of Pequea; Anthony Meo of Steelton; Elijah Steiner and Wayne Trostle of Stevens; and Grace Richey of Washington Boro.