GHCA grads ready for next chapter

2 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — A small group of just four graduates received their diplomas from Greater Houlton Christian Academy Sunday afternoon.

And while the group may be tiny, its lofty academic and athletic accomplishments were celebrated in fine fashion as part of the 30th GHCA commencement ceremony. 

Held at the Military Street Baptist Church, Head of School Matthew Smith welcomed those in attendance and introduced James Watson, who gave the invocation for the ceremony, followed by senior Brock Thompson’s scripture reading.

Valedictorian Silas Graham said even though he was the “most introverted and the worst public speaker out of the four of us,” he was honored to be speaking at the commencement ceremony and offered the following advice to his peers.

“I wish all of you the best and hope that you all succeed in what you set out to accomplish, but I already know that you will,” he said. “Don’t let success be your primary goal. You can have all the success in the world, but if God isn’t the main focal point in your life, then it means nothing. Trust in God, and let things play out the way that He wants them to. Don’t chase after what you want for your life, chase after what God wants for your life.”

Salutatorian Daniel Ross thanked the staff at GHCA for their care along the way and the group’s parents “who cared enough about us and their responsibility to God to send us to an incredible Christian school. You all have sacrificed your time, money and effort to give us a good and Godly education and help us grow as Christians.”

Pastor Gil Nkamwesiga gave the commencement address for Sunday’s service and encouraged the four graduates to follow their Chrisitan upbringing as they head off to college.

“The new friends you will make do not have the principles that you have,” he said. “It is at that time that you will have to decide who you belong to and who you will serve. Some of your friends will go crazy, doing drugs and all these things. You must choose the path of life and truth.”

HODGDON, Maine — June 3, 2022 — Pastor Gil Nkamwesiga was the guest speaker for the 2022 graduation ceremony for Greater Houlton Christian Academy. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HODGDON, Maine — June 3, 2022 — The four seniors for Greater Houlton Christian Academy wait patiently to receive their diplomas Sunday afternoon. From left are, Silas Graham, Alyssa Nightingale, Daniel Ross and Brock Thompson. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)

HODGDON, Maine — June 3, 2022 — GHCA’s valedictorian Silas Graham speaks to his peers during his address at Sunday’s commencement ceremony.  (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)