2007 WCFS Senior Class Testimonies
Brad Beichler
Well this is it for high school! After so many years of hard work, pain, and endurance, the commitment is paying off. However, I didn’t make it here alone and have many to thank. Dad, you have given me invaluable advice over the years that could never be given by any other. Thank you for all that you have given. Mom, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now if you hadn’t devoted so much of you life towards mine. Thanks from the bottom of my heart! To all my brothers and sisters, keep the course; follow the Lord, and… thanks for putting up with me during my moments. And finally, praise be unto the Lord, for all that I have accomplished has been his hand and not my own. I thank Him above all for His everlasting grace and mercy towards me. Thank you all so much!
My favorite verse is always changing, yet as I continue on after graduation, I think Psalms 37:23-24 to be quite appropriate for the occasion: "If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand." NIV
After high school I will begin the pursuit of a civil engineering degree. My career goals lie in agricultural engineering and I hope to achieve this position through studies at either Virginia Tech or Cornell University. Another goal in my life is to someday return to China, and serve the Lord in the work that He is doing there. I will follow Him and the course he has set for my future.
Rebecca Bigott
First I need to thank God for saving me and raising me in a Christian home. Thank you, Mom and Dad for home schooling me. Chris, Liz, Daniela, Stephen, Joseph, Stacy, and Robert, thanks for putting up with me. I have some great friends both here in the school and at work—you guys are great. Thank you, juniors, for serving us today, and, most importantly, thanks to all of you who came to share this day with us!
I’ve worked with the Montgomery County Police Explorers for 2 years, and I joined Rockville Volunteer Fire Department last October. I’m planning to start Montgomery College this fall majoring in Criminal Justice. Ultimately, I hope to become a Montgomery County Police Officer while continuing to volunteer at the Fire Station. As I’ve worked with the Police and Fire Department it’s been obvious that Christ is the only One we can trust.
Joshua Bohnett
Well, I made it! At the beginning of the year, dad and mom were saying “this was my senior year and I needed to focus on my work because I couldn’t carry it into the summer like I had been doing”, but you know how it is. I said, “ Aw, there’s plenty of time.” News flash. No. There is not! I realized over the last couple of months how much I needed to buckle down and get it done and done right!
I would first like to thank God for His word as a light through this dark world that we are taking our first major steps into. I am thankful for the family that he has blessed me with, and the friends he has brought into my life. I want to thank my parents for shoving me headfirst into the train tunnel and pushing me all the way through to daylight and so, here I am.
Grandpa, thank you for the five years in Bible courses that you have blessed me with. There were times that I didn’t want to do any of it because I was not in the mood, or it was too hard. However, you do not go for excuses, and would just smile and give me a big zero, and too many zeros on a report card kind of get to you.
One verse that has really been a blessing to me is 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
My plans at this point include sitting out a year to work and save money. Then I am planning to attend Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, Wisconsin in the fall of 2008 to pursue a business degree.
Hannah Coffelt
First on my list of “thank you’s” naturally is God. I want to thank you God in my own feeble attempt for getting me through this last year. Mom and Dad, thank you oh so much for helping me finish my research paper so that it could be sent in on time. Siblings, young and old, you are the craziest bunch of people and I will always feel the most like myself around you guys. My friends, thanks for showing your faces here and for all the fun we’ve had doing nothing at all. Last of all, I thank you Walkersville, for some of the most nerve racking home visits which taught me to have my homework done on time and that I should always write in complete sentences. In conclusion, I’m glad you only graduate from high school once.
Rebekah Cox
Graduation closes one chapter of life and begins sending us into the future. Today we celebrate our accomplishments as high school students, and look forward to face the challenges of the road ahead of us. The hard part is realizing that we’ve graduated to start acting like adults!
One verse that has meant a lot to me over the past few years is Isaiah 42:6,16 "I the Lord have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand… I will lead them in paths they have not known…and not forsake them."
My life would not have been as awesome had it not been for my mom and dad, my brothers and sisters, and Nana and Granddad. You all have been there for me when I was down, and have never failed to love me no matter what my mood, and comforted me in my weakest moments. I wouldn’t be here today had you not helped me. I love you all so much!
There are many other people in my extended family, the WCFS staff, and my church and school family that I’m very thankful for. You have faithfully encouraged me in my walk with Christ, reminding me how great God really is. I love you all.
I received Christ as my Savior when I was young through the influence of my parents. As I have grown in my faith and trust in Christ, He’s shown me how I must be focused only on Him, so that He is everything to me.
In the more immediate future I will continue helping at home and interning. As God provides, I’ll obtain my license in Cosmetology. I pray that I will show Christ’s love to all I meet, for my future rests in His hands.
I would like to end with a poem I wrote that shows how Christ’s love has impacted me. I hope it is an encouragement to you and that you, too come to know the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. I’ve called it:
Stand Tall
Trapped by my mind, drowned by my tears,
Unable to stand, held down by my fears.
Fighting and kicking against all I hold dear,
Dragging on in darkness by chains that I wear.
Searching for hope, longing for peace…
Looking to everything but Your beautiful face.
Striving to be more but finding my lack
Looking for love, but feeling stabbed in the back.
I’m holding up empty hands, as I’m flat on my face,
Laying down all my efforts I’m made whole by your grace.
Jesus break my chains and make me new,
Give me the peace found only in You.
I look to the author and finisher of faith,
Holding fast to His promises known only through grace.
Fall down, broken hearted and give him your praise,
For we never stand taller than when kneeling to pray.
Chelsey Crowder
I am blessed and honored to be graduating in the Walkersville Christian Family Schools Class of 2007. Although I have been home schooled for most of my education, this is my first and last year as a part of this class. Thank you for making me feel so included!
I am very blessed to have a large family who loves God. Each one of you has shown me by your example what it means to live a Christian life. You have guided and directed me every day of my life, always encouraging me to make the right and best decisions. Thank you for being such wonderful role models and for caring so much about me. I love you all very much!!
I am looking forward to the next four years of my life and the opportunity to continue my study of music at Nyack College, New York. I plan to major in Vocal Performance.
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12.
Whitney Hall
I can’t believe that I am standing here today, receiving my diploma, after so many years of hard work and persistence. It doesn’t seem possible that nearly 18 years of my life are now behind me. This only confirms the truth of God’s Word where He says in James 4:14; "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a while, and then vanishes." In Ps. 39:5, "Each man’s life is but a breath." The Lord has been faithful to me and has blessed me greatly through home schooling. I have learned to exercise diligence and perseverance when I felt like giving up, and to pursue excellence in everything I do. I have learned to glorify God through my educational activities, and that living life with this goal firmly in my mind brings true satisfaction and joy to my soul.
One of God’s richest blessings to me is that my parents seek the Lord first in all things and they trained me from an early age to do the same. My Dad’s wisdom, mercy and sense of humor have influenced me and shaped my thinking in every area of life. My Mom’s love for the Lord and undying passion for the Biblical truth have inspired me profoundly in my own pursuit of Christ. Even though my sister, Ashley, has lived in California for the past two years, she continues to encourage me to seek the Lord and follow His leading in all I do. I consider my little brother, Caleb, my closest friend, and I treasure every moment that we spend together. Thank you all.
Out of the richness of His grace, God has placed godly individuals in every sphere of my life. His goodness and faithfulness are revealed to me through my elders at Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; my youth group leaders there; the women I volunteer with at Frederick Memorial Hospital; and my co-workers at Classic Landscaping.
I will be leaving Maryland in early August to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in violin performance at The Master’s College. I am eager to join my sister and Luke in Los Angeles, California to begin the next phase of my life. God has prepared the way for me already, by helping me to cultivate meaningful relationships with many of the faculty on the Master’s campus, which is a great comfort to me since I will be so far from home.
I will continue to seek His grace and guidance everyday of my life and to remember the great blessings He has bestowed on me through Jesus.
Edie Kershner
I came to know Christ as my personal Savior when I was a young child, but it has been in recent years that I have been put to the test to find out what this statement really means. Joining Walkersville Christian Family Schools has been one of these tests of faith. I must admit that I have never liked school and would much rather remain an ignorant recluse hidden away in the regions of the far North, with only a few close friends and relatives to visit me once in a while. This is not what God calls His children to do, but rather the opposite - to be the light of the world and salt of the earth. Fortunately God gave me a mother and sister to encourage, direct, and sometimes force me into doing what I should. Even now they may have to drag me kicking and screaming to my graduation ceremony for my stubborn will is still very much alive. However...
I truly ask and want God’s grace to do willingly what He has planned for my life. As it stands this means going to college and maybe vet school (eight more years of school!) but God alone knows the future.
Although many hymns and scripture passages have encouraged me through the trials in life, one of my favorites is 2 Corinthians 4:8-11: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; that the life also of Jesus might be made manifested in our body."
Bethany Lisk
During these past few months I have been learning about God’s grace and His strength. No matter how strong we think we are, God has a way of lovingly showing us how weak we really are, but His promise remains that He will always be there for us.
I would like to challenge my class to not ever let the world look down on us because we are young, but to go out and set an example in word, action and love. Because with God’s strength we can do anything! So whatever God has in store for us in this next stage of our lives, we can use our strength and talent to affect the world for good.
I would like to thank God, for His grace is sufficient. To my Mom and Dad, thanks for making me do my school first before anything else. Also a huge thank you to my awesome siblings, my wonderful extended family, my amazing “adopted” family, and my faithful friends. I love you all!
One of my favorite verses is; James 1:2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
I am planning to attend Shepherd University to major in graphic design or digital photography. Until then I will stay at home and continue working.
Martha McKeel
I am at the end of my home schooling high school years. What an amazing journey being home schooled has been. To start school with personal Bible study. Drawing close to Christ so that I can lean on Him for my strength. What a blessing to know my precious Lord more and more through the struggles of school and daily Christ-centered materials. Without Christ, my Lord, I would definitely not be here now. To God be all praise and glory. Thank you Mom and Dad for pushing me on and making me see the importance of school. Your effort was not in vain. To my brothers and sisters (the M&M’s), thank you for putting up with me.
For the future, I would like to get some training and learn more about the group of people Christ has called me to serve. While this is only something I would like to accomplish, the Lord is going to direct what happens, what is going to happen and in what direction.
2 Corinthians 4:7: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
Matthew Merryman
First, I would like to thank the Lord for saving me and allowing me to be educated at home. I have been looking forward to graduating for some time now and I am excited to finally be finished. I would like to thank my Mom for all the hard work she put into teaching my sisters and me. I want to thank Melanie for all her help and for listening to me, and Michelle for putting up with me, and Megan for just being Megan. A big thanks to my Grandparents for encouraging me, even though they weren’t too sure about home schooling in the beginning. I thank God for my church, Mt. Zion Baptist, for organizing such a great co-op and youth activities. For our pastors who love the Lord and aren’t ashamed to take a stand for Him. I never got a chance to miss being in school. I want to also thank my Aunts and Uncles for encouraging me to finish the job.
Unless the Lord changes my plans, I am planning to pursue a career in law enforcement. I still trust the Lord to lead me to where He wants me to be.
As Proverbs 3: 5&6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him; and He shall direct your paths."
God knows what is best for us and He knows exactly what we need in order to be prepared for the future, so we can trust Him to guide us.
Allison Moore
I can honestly say that I never thought I would make it to this point. I can remember sitting through many Walkersville graduations, thinking, “I’ll never make it!!” There is no way that I can write that 15 page research paper, complete Algebra and make it through all of those home visits!!! But by the grace of God and my parents hard work and perseverance, I wrote the paper, Miss Peggy Carr made sure I knew Algebra, and the home visits were not that bad.
First and for most, I would like to thank my Savior Jesus Christ, for the incredible gift of His salvation, and for allowing me to grow up in a Christian home, where Christ was first in everything. Through being home schooled, I learned first hand what it truly meant to rely on Him for everything.
Secondly, I would like to thank my parents. You have shown me what it means to be a Christian. You have been my biggest fans through ballet lessons, algebra class, braces and drivers Ed. I am who I am today because you poured yourself out for me. For that I will be forever grateful. Thank you. I love you guys! To Ryan, Emily and Matt. You guys have been the best classmates any one could ask for. We have had some pretty good times together. Emily you are one of my dearest sweetest friends. I am so glad I have you for a sister!! To the girls, Julia, Hannah, Jenna, Erin Jessie and Tara you all have touched my life in a special way, and have always been there for me. Thank you so much! I love you guys!!
My future plans are to attend Robert Paul Cosmetology School in the fall, and after that to pursue a degree in business. But for all my plans they are just that, “my plans” and I know whatever the Lord has for me will be so much better, so I will leave them up to Him.
A verse that has continued to encourage me is, Psalm 91:1-2, "He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the Shadow of the almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in him will I trust."
Noah Summers
God has been very faithful to remind me that He is very protective of my relationship with Him, and that my goals, desire, physical health, and other relationships are secondary to that most important relationship. God has been faithful to remove from my heart and life anything that has become an idol, thus manifesting to me His infinite understanding and love for me. God has allowed me to experience physical affliction so that I might better learn to rely on Him for strength and to entrust to His keeping everything I have knowing that He is a good heavenly Father.
I would like to thank my mother and father for their love, guidance, and training throughout my entire life. In obedience to God, my parents have blessed me with home school education for which I am eternally thankful. My brother has blessed me by helping me to see the humorous side of life and encouraging me in the area of adventure. We also have thought provoking theological discussions, for which I am thankful.
I want to thank my grandparents, Aunts uncles, cousins, WCFS, my friends and church family at WCF, and most especially my pastor, Pastor Gary Cox, for their love, and encouragement. Thank you so much classmates for all the wonderful times I have been privileged to share with you. I would also like to thank everyone that has played an active role in my music education. Especially my parents, Kendra Parsons, Dr. Victor Shkylar, Mrs. Rachel Cooper Boer, and Mrs. Lisa Sadowski. One thing that the Lord has required that I give up these past few years is my ability to play the piano. I have asked Him if He would allow me to play for Him at my graduation a piece that expresses the cry of my heart. I would now like to play for Him, “Draw Me Nearer” by William H. Doane and arranged by Richard A. Nichols and LuAnn Bradshaw. The message of this hymn is summed up in one of my favorite verses, James 4:8; Draw nigh to god and he will draw nigh to you….
Christine Witles
I have been home-schooled from kindergarten through 12th grade. I am very thankful to have been taught at home. I have learned a lot. I want to thank God for helping me through this time of hard work and trials. I want to thank my Dad for paying for my schooling, giving me the time to do my schoolwork, and for taking me to the WCFS office. Thanks Dad!
I want to thank my Mom for helping me with my schoolwork and taking the time to take me here and there. Thanks Mom so much! I want to thank Grandma for teaching me how to read, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know how to read. Thank you Grandma! I want to thank Grandpa for taking me places. I am really grateful for that. Thanks Grandpa! I want to thank my brothers and sisters for being there for me and being my best friends. Without you Samuel and Eddie, I would not have had so much fun. Without you, Faith, Lydia, Susanna, and Hannah, I would not be able to do girly stuff. I am glad you are here. I want to thank my sister Isa for all the times we’ve spent together. It has been so much fun. Thank you also for taking me places that I needed to go. Thank you Isa! I want to thank Pastor Gerry Smith for helping me with my spiritual walk with God and helping with my schoolwork. I am really grateful for the encouraging words that you have given me through my high school years. Thank you Pastor Gerry. I want to thank the WCFS staff for their help in my school years, without you WCFS staff my school years would have been a mess. Thanks WCFS! I want to thank my chiropractors for their help. Without you Dr. Sok, Dr. Taylor, Clark, and Dr. Leber, I would not be standing here now. I had a major back problem in 12 grade, making it very hard for me to be able to sit and stand. I thank God for all my doctors. I especially want to thank Dr. Jason Leber for all the time you spend to help me. Thank you.
What I learned in my school year is to never give up no matter what. One verse that has helped me is; Psalm 27:14, "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!"
In the future, I plan to help my dad and mom for now. Lord willing, I would like to take a distance-learning program on being a chiropractor and also plan to study to become a Bible counselor. Only God knows if I will, but for now I am going to serve God in everything I do. I want to thank all who have helped and encouraged me throughout my school years in some way. I want to thank you all my friends and family for coming, and I miss all who were not able to come.
Sheariah Yousefi
Man, it’s hard to believe that I’m standing here! You know, I always thought of graduation as a distant thought. Something I wouldn’t reach for many, many years. It’s funny how life comes upon us really fast.
As, I think upon my journey to this point, many things come to mind: school, for one, but also family, friends, home visits, workshops, but more importantly, a key figure comes to mind. This figure was my teacher throughout these many years of schooling. This teacher is my Father, The Lord Jesus Christ.
To me, high school was just another thing to be accomplished, which, in one sense it is, but not in the way I thought. I thought passing each task was all that was needed. On the contrary, and at one point, to my dismay, I found that high school is where you are taught to learn to be taught.
My family was right there next to me, helping me to understand the importance of this truth. They didn’t accomplish this task by giving their earned knowledge, but rather by pointing towards the One who is The Great Teacher. Once I accepted the fact that I needed to be taught, God began to teach me through my willingness to learn.
I’m standing here as a living testimony of one who learned that life isn’t about “just passing” each task you are given, but rather by living according to the will of the Taskgiver. His faithfulness, love, and grace are what I truly seek to understand, and if my eyes are on Him continually, I will always be learning the most important truth of life: Jesus Christ.
Thank you all so very much for putting aside your afternoon to honor us on this very special day as we endeavor to seek The Teacher in all we do.
Class Verse
"Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
~ Joshua 1:9