A small class with big dreams
By: MARK ZIMMARO
Burlington County Times

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP - Though the class only consisted of 21, the church sanctuary at Life Center Academy was filled with dreams and aspirations at its commencement ceremony Friday night.

"Life Center is such a small raindrop in an ocean and has been the starting point for many of us, but God is calling us to bigger plans," said Jill Diblin, who was recognized as the academy's salutatorian. "Graduation is not the end. It is the beginning."

The 21 high school graduates were joined by 25 eighth-grade graduates during the ceremony. However, the spotlight belonged to the students who completed 12th grade and will now head out to further their education or join the work force.

"As you look ahead to the future, graduates, dream big," valedictorian Kelli Michalski advised her classmates. "Set goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them. Do not settle for the expectations others may have for you or even those you may have for yourself."
Michalski told her fellow students that the youth of America shouldn't wait to make a difference in the world.

"As we go into the world today, we should stand out as leaders in society," she said. "People say that we are the future of the country and of the church, but we are also the present of America and of the church. We need to step out now and be shining lights in a world of darkness."

The seniors received presentations of gifts from the junior class shortly after they viewed a slideshow of photographs and videos projected to the audience. The show featured the lighter side of learning, including extracurricular activities and field trips.

"We should cherish the memories and relationships that we have made during our high school years," Michalski said. "They will stay with us for the rest of our lives."
Diblin said she hopes those memories will only be part of what is discussed when the class plans to reunite in 10 years.

"I pray that at our 10-year reunion we will not only be able to reminisce about our memories back in high school but that we will have greater stories to tell of where God has taken our lives," she said. "May we be the people who actually accomplish their dreams."