Concord Christian Academy senior Owen Burrell quoted Saint Thomas Aquinas in his charge to his fellow graduates.
“Happiness does not lie in a physical place, but in a spiritual one,” he said.
He continued about how the next phase of their lives will take them to new places and challenge their identity itself.
If they all remember to stay true to themselves and to who they are called to be, that will bring them happiness, he said.
“I charge you to use it to see the love God has for you,” Burrell added.
All of the student speakers, from the opening prayer by Ethan Leland to Raelyn Taylor’s Valedictorian address, hit key reflections on faith.
For the small graduating class of 27 students, their shared faith was a present part of daily life in school.
On their last ever day at One Church in Bedford on Saturday morning, that did not change.
CCA’s Owen Burrell’s Charge to the Seniors was a poignant and succinct moment early on in the ceremony. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Concord Christian’s Valedictorian, Raelyn Taylor, addresses the crowd at One Church in Bedford. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Epsom Bible Church Lead Pastor Rick Garland gave a focused message for seniors to continue believing in themselves and making the right choices. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
“I will,” urged Concord Christian Academy’s commencement speaker, Rick Garland, Lead Pastor at Epsom Bible Church.
His powerful speech, encompassing sports analogies, scripture and first-hand accounts, reminded the class of the potential they have, and the power of perseverance.
Garland reminded the graduates and their families that those two words, “I will,” make all the difference. To tell themselves that they will surround themselves with the word of God, to surround themselves with winners and that they will choose to believe.
Salutatorian Makayla Baglio and Valedictorian Raelyn Taylor both spoke about the deep friendships they formed with their classmates. Yet, they always returned to the importance of faith in their lives.
They both spoke about how it has helped them through ups and downs and how it will carry all of them forward into the next chapter.
The senior trip video and photo slideshow were endearing traditions that had the crowd laughing and smiling. It reminded everyone of just how far their young ones had come.
Graduates also gave roses out to their parents as an appreciation, a heartfelt moment at the core of the ceremony that brought tears to many eyes.