The rain outdoors did not put a damper on the 29 graduates of the Lehigh Valley Christian High School during the Class of 2013 commencement ceremony held the evening of June 7 at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown.

The graduation began with the slow toll of a bell and the graduates proudly proceeding down the middle of the church aisle in rows of two, with men adorned in black caps and gowns and women in red.

Class President Emily Barry welcomed the graduates, staff members of LVCHS and family and friends to the graduation.

"Thank you for coming to celebrate this milestone in our lives," she said.

Barry also gave the salutatory address. She asked the new graduates to reflect back on the past four years of their high school careers and be thankful for all God has provided to them.

"What has God given you through LVCHS," she asked. "Whatever you have taken through LVCHS, continue to cling to that."

Although the new graduates will branch out into different directions in life, Barry suggested that each student make decisions based on their faith.

"Does what I'm doing honor my creator," she asked. "Search for your passion and look for God's will."

Class Valedictorian Molly Yandrofski shared with the graduates the Bible story of Hagar, particularly speaking on the uncertainty of the future and relying on the provisions of God.

"We can call out not to a distant God, but to a God that sees us," she said in times of difficulty. "Keep your eyes open and be encouraged by God."

She also offered two recommendations to the Class of 2013. First, to "approach the next point in life with confidence" and to "live a life that delights God in public and private."

LVCHS Principal Bob Brennan provided a highlight of the Class of 2013. He said 19 students attended all four years at LVCHS, 10 began their Christian education in kindergarten or first-grade, 97 percent will go onto college, 66 percent will attend a four-year college, six will

attend a two-year college, one graduate enlisted in the Marine Corps, 18 percent are headed to Christian colleges and 10 percent are attending college outside of Pennsylvania.

"Quite a class and blend of people from all over," he said of the graduates.

Giving the commencement address was Pastor David Kochsmeier of the Steel City Mennonite Church and father of Class of 2013 graduate Daniel Kochsmeier.

Kochsmeier noted most of the educational years of the Class of 2013 were spent in the shadows of worldwide terror. He told the graduates, however, to use their faith to meet future challenges.

"As you cross over into the wilderness of academia, you're going to cross into your promise land," he said. "But God is faithful ... He will give you courage to meet those obstacles and challenges."

Diplomas were then presented to each graduate by Kochsmeier as Brennan read a short scripture passage selected by each student. After receiving their diploma, graduates then delivered a rose to a family member sitting in the audience. Photographs were also displayed on a large screen of the graduates in their younger years.