Greater Houlton Christian Academy grads well prepared to lead

After receiving his diploma and turning his tassel, Ryan Campbell raised his arms in victory last Friday night during Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s graduation at the Houlton Performing Arts Center.
    Gail Scovill, chairman of GHCA Scholarship Fund, presented $14,851 worth of scholarships to the eight graduates.
“This is an important milestone in your lives as you become GHCA alumni,” she said. “I am sure you are experiencing mixed emotions as you say goodbye to your high school endeavors, successes and friends. Now stepping into college life with its new and diverse experiences that will prepare you for adult lives and careers.”
Scovill said the scholarship fund was introduced 10 years ago and the support for the fund is made possible through the generosity of businesses, professionals, clubs and individuals. Scovill also expressed her “sincere thanks and appreciation” for their support.
Two special memorial scholarships were also presented by Doug Reed and the Rockwell family.
Reed, who lives in Bangor with his family, presented a $500 scholarship in memory of 1st Lt. James Zimmerman who died on Nov. 2 in Afghanistan.
“You lost a special person and alumnus,” he said. “The Lord really worked in my life through that by reading the newspaper and hearing it on the news. I have no connection whatsoever to James or his family. I met Mr. Zimmerman before I came in. I have no connection to this school. But, when I heard about that, my heart really broke. I prayed for the family.”
Reed, who has young children, was among those who stood by when Zimmerman’s body was flown into Bangor International Airport.
“I thought that would be it,” he said of paying reverence. Being obedient to the Holy Spirit’s beckoning, Reed said he felt led to give an annual scholarship for the next 18 years.
“But, it didn’t stop there,” Reed explained.
A graduate of Wiscasset High School, Reed will make a donation to his alma mater, as well as Bangor Christian, where his children attend.
The James Zimmerman Scholarship is presented to someone with character, integrity and a zest for life.
“Something I really value and it sounds like he and his family valued,” Reed said.
The recipient was Desiree Vargas.
“James had a special bond with the Vargas family,” Reed explained. “The family was the first to visit his parents after his death. Desiree attends the same church as James did. Desiree also shares with James the same zest for life that brightens people’s lives when they come into contact with her. And, that same smile that embraces others and says ‘you are my friend.’ That energy, love and compassion for people, especially for children, as James always had. May Desiree honor God and the memory of Ltn. James Zimmerman with this first scholarship.”
A touching scholarship was given to Hannah Emery by the Rockwell family in memory of their late baby daughter Hannah Grace Rockwell.
“One month ago today, I delivered our fourth child and our first daughter. Our daughter is with her Heavenly Father. My husband and I had many discussions of what we wanted to do to remember and honor our daughter, Hannah,” said Erica Rockwell.
The Rockwells, who are both nurses, have established an annual scholarship intended for a student who is going to pursue a nursing degree and preference will be given to a student who will study obstetrics.
“We gave consideration to a couple of different people, but one person stood out to us this year,” Rockwell said. “We really love her and our children adore her.”
Emery will be pursuing a nursing degree at Bob Jones University.
Amber Michaud was presented with a matching scholarship from Pastor Jason Rooney of the Monticello Wesleyan Church.
“We’ve had Amber in our congregation for a long time,” he said. “I’d probably be lost before the service without her. She does so much for us in church and she sets a good Godly example.”
Michaud who plans to attend Bethany Bible College in Sussex, N.B. this fall was awarded $1,000 through the Monticello Wesleyan Church and Bethany Bible College’s matching grant up to $500.
Bishop then introduced the two top honor students — Salutatorian Hannah Emery and Valedictorian Gabe Schenk — and said brief words about each student and Assistant Head of School Tom Zimmerman presented them with medallions.
Zimmerman then awarded the Christian Character Award to Emery and the Christian Service Award to Jessica Lee.
Other special scholarships presented were the George and Annie Knox Scholarship, administered by the Ricker College Board of Trustees, which is $1,500 scholarship that may be renewed for a total of four years. It was award to Schenk. The next scholarship, the Milmack Education Foundation Scholarship for $1,500 was presented to a student who makes a difference in the lives of others, is a solid school citizen and has the potential to make a difference in the world. The scholarship was presented to Emery.
After the transferring of Class Leadership from Senior Class President Emery to Ethan Holmes, junior class president, the honor students delivered their addresses.
Salutatorian Emery started by thanking God for all He has done for her and her classmates.
“We’ve definitely had our ups and downs throughout our high school years,” she said. “And, I am truly thankful that God has seen us through every situation thrown at us.”
She thanked the teachers individually, with some remarks bringing laughter, then she thanked her parents and her classmates’ parents for their support and helping them become who they are today.
“Guys, we’ve made it,” she said. “We’ve definitely had some amazing memories together that still bring a smile to my face whenever I think about them … I pray that all of you will continue to follow God’s direction and will for your lives. We all have the potential to have a great future if we allow Him to do His work.”
Emery encouraged her classmates when they were facing challenges to remember that God is in control.
In conclusion, Emery read Numbers 6:24-26: May the Lord bless thee and keep thee; the Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.”
Then saying each of her classmates names, Emery looked at them sitting on the stage and said, “I love you guys.”
Schenk quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson “Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” to begin his address.
“This an inspirational quote that I believe my class has followed and hopefully will continue to follow,” he said.
Schenk, who earned the rank of Eagle Scout, recalled the paths that led far and wide into the Maine woods.
“For the most part, the trails were clear cut and defined,” he said. “The path was not difficult to follow. Our steps left indentations in the dirt where countless other travelers had passed before.”
Paths can provide a sense of security, Schenk said.
“A person knows their destination following the route from beginning to end,” he added. “But, sometimes in life paths are restricting. Paths limit the scope of an individual’s adventurous nature. When one follows a well trodden trail, he follows in the footsteps of everyone who has passed before him. He takes no risk, pursues no new destinations and takes no initiative to try something new.
“As I look back over our high school years, we’ve always done our best as a class to leave our own trail, whether at times for the better or worse,” added Schenk. “Over the last four years, we’ve become more unified as a class. But now is the time we must go into the world as individuals. We know that everything is going to change but we will be able to look back on many memories we’ve had in high school. We’ve all heard the wide road and the narrow road expression. The wide road is easily followed that leads to destruction. The narrow is not often taken … it is not a marked trail, but it is a direction. Each and every person is headed in a certain direction … God has given us a free will and He has also given us the map and compass that will keep us proceeding in the right direction. I encourage my classmates to let God give them direction. He will guide you.”
“Knowing that God has a plan for our lives,” Schenk said, “we should not be afraid if God calls us to do something strange, extraordinary or out of the norm. Once you know what God’s plan is for your life, attack it whole heartedly and do your very best.”
Wyatt Jenkins of Houlton High School sang “You’ll be in My Heart” and then guest speaker Daniel Angotti took the podium.
Angotti, who holds a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maine, also attended the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has 19 years combined in public and Christian education. He has also experienced 10 years of pastoral ministry. He has taught at GHCA for eight years and his children attend the school.
Angotti said he was in a paradox — part of him didn’t want to be guest speaker because he was nervous, the other part was telling him, he did not want anyone else to represent this class.
This is Angotti’s second time as a graduation speaker. Four years ago, he had grown extremely close to another class and had a hard time letting go.
“I was kind of depressed,” he said. “It was a loss because you get so attached to these young people.”
Conferring with another faculty member, she told Angotti that God would send him another class. He was excited when fall came to see what class God was sending him.
“Homeroom comes in and (looking toward the graduates) He sent me this,” said Angotti as the audience erupted in laughter. “I remember thinking to myself, all right, God may be sending me another class, but it ain’t this one.”
Angotti spoke of how the class was a mishmash of students who hadn’t gelled.
“Desi said, ‘Do you like our class better than Vanessa’s?’”    How do you answer that, Angotti asked.
“I like both classes,” he said. “Every class is different. But inside, I was saying are ‘you kidding me?’”
After two years, Angotti wasn’t the class’ homeroom teacher despite the fact that Hannah kept reminding him that he would always be. But, he kept resisting, saying, “I am not your homeroom teacher, it is somebody else,” he said, as laughter ensued.
Then Angotti recalled the Harvest Festival games, recounting one particular humorous time represented on a yearbook cover. There is a photograph of a tree and a tire hanging from it.
“It’s symbolic of their sophomore Harvest Festival game,” Angotti said. “One class had a hay maze and another a catapult. We had a tire and football.”
The GHCA seniors never won Harvest Festival, Spirit Week or even had a senior trip and considered themselves “loveable losers.”
“They don’t quite believe in themselves,” Angotti added. “You are not losers. You are really winners because of the things that really matter. You have a relationship with Jesus Christ. You treat each other with respect and you each bring something special to the class.”
Angotti described each student and their gifts to the class and spoke about how the world has changed since the graduates started school in the late ‘90s. Communication, media, sports, politics, economics … the world has fundamentally transformed.
“9-11 happened, we have a war on three fronts,” Angotti said. “We have instant access to information. But, people are skeptical of the future. Christianity is no longer the dominant religion. The knowledge of right and wrong is not well defined.”
But, Angotti said despite the changes one thing will never change … God.
“We need this constant in our lives,” he said. “Class you already know life is full of changes and challenges. The journey of life is filled with both mountaintop experiences and deep dark valleys … when you are tempted and discouraged to give up, remember this: God does not change. Nothing can separate us from his love. His word never changes. It’s a map. If you ever get lost his word will lead you home.”
Angotti told the class the legacy they leave behind will not soon be forgotten.
“I will be talking years from now about some of your antics,” he said. “To answer your question, Desi, you are my favorite class. Hannah, I count it an honor and a privilege to call myself your homeroom teacher. It’s my only regret I can’t be any longer.”
Finishing, Angotti told the class they had shared many memories together, “Now, go and make new ones,” he said.