Jamison Banks addressed his class of 32 fellow Concord Christian Academy graduates at One Church in Bedford with a simple phrase his father taught him: “Sometimes a fallen world falls on us.”

His charge to the senior class was not a complaint about the world, but rather a plea to his classmates not to allow the world to shake their faith. He continued with a quote by C.S. Lewis and said, “A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of straight in mind.”

His mother, Bree, has fought stage four terminal breast cancer for over two years, and he often thinks about why tragedy is everywhere and in abundance. His faith and the plan in store for him comforted him as he spoke decisively to his class.

“I think it means, to graduate, I’m onto the next thing. The way that my faith played a part is just having this confidence, wherever I’m going to end up, it’s going to be what God has planned for me, so I don’t need to fear,” Banks said after the ceremony.

“It’s such a gift to have a child grow, a grown-up child grow to maturity and love the Lord in the way he does. We couldn’t ask for more,” his mother, Bree, who was in attendance, said.

Many other students echoed similar sentiments during their time on stage. Mackenzie Robertson who also led a charge to the senior class, salutatorian Brianna Slavik and valedictorian Kristina Baglio all referred to some of their favorite Bible verses that conveyed messages of hope, determination and confidence in their friends.

Baglio had a class-leading 4.3 GPA and received a Presidential Academic Scholarship to attend Cedarville University, a private Baptist University in Ohio, to study molecular biology. 

The students went through a whirlwind of emotions as the ceremony included a video presentation on their senior trip to Outer Banks in North Carolina, a passing of the baton by class president Lylah Shumway to junior Raelyn Taylor, and a parent appreciation tribute by Sadie Thompson before her father, Tyler, gave the commencement speech.

Pastor Tyler Thompson urged patience, compassion, faith and understanding from graduates as they go forth into the world. He was proud to say that they were all brought up with the strong mission of spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical and creative growth that Concord Christian strives to instill within students.

After the ceremony, graduates met with their families and friends and gathered to take photos. One group gathered around Thompson and fellow graduate Lilli Carlile – the CCA girls’ basketball team, which went on an unprecedented gauntlet of three state championships in three divisions over three years. 

Carlile will attend Lee University to study occupational therapy and has received a full scholarship to continue her basketball career. Her mother, Rebecca, the girls’ basketball coach, said that it’s not always easy to be coached by a parent and is very excited to see her play at the next level.

“It feels so surreal. It’s a mix of emotions. It’s super happy and sad at the same time knowing that I’m leaving and moving away but I’m super excited for the next chapter of my life,” Lilli said.

Alexander Rapp can be reached at arapp@cmonitor.com.