A Word of Encouragement for the Class of 2016

Today we celebrate a special time in the lives of our graduating seniors. It is a special time in their lives, Graduation when they make one of life’s big transitions. This transition is one that leads to more freedom and a greater responsibility in adulthood. Along with this transition there will come a great transformation. Each of these young adults will begin a new chapter as adults and leave behind the chapter of their childhood.

This new chapter will be filled with lots of important decisions like whether to continue pursuing an education or to enter into the workforce. They will decide if they will remain close to home or move to a new city. There will be lots of new faces and friends to meet along with many paths that will lead them to a unique destination.

All of this might feel overwhelming, but the chapter they are leaving has prepared them for this new one. While they will be living out new stories and adventures, they will have the wisdom they have received from their parents, teachers, mentors, and spiritual leaders. The lessons they have learned and the decisions of their past - both good and bad - will provide them with the framework for how they will go forward in the presence and power of God.

As we celebrate their accomplishment today, we also acknowledge that this end leads to a new beginning. It is the start of a journey that will lead them to the spouse they will marry, the work they will do, and the people they will call friends. The foundation of it all is their faith in Jesus Christ and the hope that He gives in the promises of His Word. As we commission them for the mission that lies ahead of them, we hold to what God has said. We remember that God is going to guide them into His perfect plan for them (Psalm 139:16). We remember that God has made them for a specific work they are to accomplish with their life (Ephesians 2:10). We remember that God will never leave them or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5).

While there may be some tears, there will also be lots of smiles of joy because God has been faithful to bring them this far and He has even greater things ahead of them. Jackson Berryman Parents: Jay & Stephanie Berryman Bowling Green High School Plans: Bio Medical Engineering, University of Tennessee Darren Brown Parents: Dale & Patti Brown Greenwood High School Plans: Biology, Elizabeth Cain Western University Parents: Shannon McPherson Warren Central High School Plans: Nuclear Power School, United States NAVY Annye Carlisle Parents: Jeff & MaryBeth Carlisle Bowling Green High School Plans: Bio Chemistry, John Carter Western Kentucky University Parents: Jeff & Tina Carter South Warren High School Plans: Western Kentucky University Graham Champion Parents: Chris & Anne Champion Greenwood High School Plans: Physical Therapy, Blake Cleary Western Kentucky University Parents: Steve & Ginger Cleary Bowling Green High School Plans: Business, University of Mississippi Andrew Cobb Parents: Dory & Ashley Cobb Greenwood High School Plans: Pre-Vet, Eastern Kentucky Devanté Colton University & Auburn University Parents: Delvin & Mary Colton South Warren High School Plans: Eastern Kentucky University Skyler Crabtree Parents: Miles & Tracie Crabtree Greenwood High School Plans: Western Kentucky University Sydney Davenport Parents: Brian & Angie Davenport South Warren High School Plans: Western Kentucky University Summer Davis Parents: Mike & Shelly Davis South Warren H.S./Homeschool Plans: Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy and Sydney Denton Music, Western Kentucky University Parents: Dana & Joy Denton Bowling Green Christian Academy Plans: 9-month mission trip, Biblical Studies in college Lauren Frederick Parents: Todd & Jill Frederick Greenwood High School Plans: Western Kentucky University Daniel Garcia Parents: Hollman Garcia & Mercedes Lopez South Warren High School Plans: Mechanical Engineering & Megan Gilliam Business, Western Kentucky University Parents: Mark & Cindy Gilliam South Warren High School Plans: Biosystems Engineering & Chanley Gray Biomedical Engineering, Parents: Chris Gray & University of Kentucky Christie McIntyre Warren Central High School Plans: Biology/Pediatric Oncology, Gabrielle Hak University of Louisville Parents: Ponnarom & Bunna Hak Bowling Green High School Plans: Chemistry/Psychology, Katrina Hanson University of Louisville Parents: Mark & Leny Hanson Bowling Green High School Plans: Engineering, University of Louisville Caleb Hodnett Parents: Derek & Angie Hodnett Aaron Academy Plans: Business/Marketing, Joshua Kimbler Western Kentucky University Parents: Doug & Cindy Kimbler Greenwood High School Plans: Business, Western Kentucky University Trey Kirtley Parents: Sam & Heather Kirtley South Warren High School Plans: Physical Therapy, Cole Kreilein University of Kentucky Parents: Brett & Larissa Krelein Greenwood High School Plans: University of Kentucky Brycen Lacey Parents: David & Loraine Lacey South Warren High School Plans: United States Military Noah Latham Academy, West Point Parents: Sean & Lydia Latham Carol M. Gatton Academy Plans: Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama, Huntsville Jeremiah Love Parents: Jerome & Katie Love Bowling Green High School Plans: Entrepreneurship, Sarah McDaniel Western Kentucky University Parents: Kerrie McDaniel Bowling Green High School Plans: Western Kentucky University Nicole Miller Parents: Robert & Tammy Miller Greenwood High School Plans: Elementary Education, Western Kentucky University Nick Newton Parents: Mike & Julie Newton Greenwood High School Plans: Business, University of Kentucky Nickolas Palmer Parents: David & Jennifer Palmer Greenwood High School Plans: Western Kentucky University Kaylie Perkins Parents: Gary & Pam Perkins Homeschool Plans: Dental Hygiene, Southcentral Kentucky Community Noah Pillow & Technical College Parents: Haydon & Laura Pillow Greenwood High School Plans: Psychophysiology, Matt Pinerola Lindsey Wilson College Parents: Jase & Natalie Pinerola Bowling Green High School Plans: Linguistics, The Ohio State University Matt Propst Parents: Tom & Diana Propst Greenwood High School Plans: Musical Theatre, Nathan Ryan Western Kentucky University Parents: Robert & JoAnn Ryan Greenwood High School Plans: Meteorology/Broadcasting Christian Ryne Parents: Ron Ryne & Angela Ryne Warren East High School Plans: Pre-Med, Union College Sydney Sims Parents: Hugh & Stacey Sims Bowling Green High School Plans: Journalism/Mass Communications, Samford University Chandler Stephanski Parents: John & Melissa Stephanski South Warren High School Plans: Civil Engineering, Davis Taylor Western Kentucky University Parents: Greg & Kathy Taylor Greenwood High School Plans: Finance, Western Kentucky University Teddy Wax Parents: Mark & Debbie Taylor Greenwood High School Plans: Physical Therapy, Payton Young Western Kentucky University Parents: Troy & Pam Young South Warren High School Plans: Nursing, Western Kentucky University