On May 13, twenty-eight seniors from the class of 2023 finished their time at Berean Academy. Following tradition, graduation was held on Saturday at 10:00 AM in the high school gym. This year’s senior class will be remembered as one of Berean's most accomplished classes. This year alone, seniors led the school to six state qualifying competitions, which resulted in two state championships: boys’ cross country and girls’ basketball. The band and choir received “I” ratings at their state competitions. All of the state qualifiers in the various activities were senior-laden. This class was also strong academically, with many students ending their year with an A average. The high level of academics made the competition for valedictorian and salutatorian fierce, but in the end, Andrew Harder was recognized as valedictorian, and Braden Templin as salutatorian. The class chose Ms. Megan Wiebe, a senior high math teacher, as their commencement speaker. Ms. Wiebe told the seniors that people would ask them to consider many ideas throughout their lives, but they are called to consider Christ and the wondrous works of the Lord. To consider is to fix their minds, which will require discipline. However, considering Christ and what he has for them (in large and small ways) will lead them toward obedience in their actions and enable them to minister to other believers. This fixing of their minds is something that they will have to choose at every moment, on their best and worst days. The morning ended with the doxology and a special time for the parents to pray with their graduates.
