WCS Pathfinder 2021 Vol1

3

CLASS OF 2021

Zoe Abe

Immaculata University

Gabriella Armesto Kyasia Barrineau Rachel Bonney Jaden Boothe

Sacred Heart University West Chester University University of Delaware Delaware Skills Center

Michaela Elliott Andrew Erdvig Andrew Gallagher Isabella Grasso

Messiah University Liberty University University of Delaware Employment

Jaclynn Johnson Jillian Kater Andrew Kelley Jalen Killing

Penn State University Liberty University University of Delaware Liberty University

Anna Mercer Ta’maja Opher Andrew Overman Hoyun Park

University of Delaware Xavier University of Louisiana Messiah University University of Detroit Mercy

Kye Rodriguez-Bryant Elisabeth Sayler Chude Uzoka-Anofienem André Walley

Liberty University Cedarville University La Salle University University of Delaware

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more,
with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent,

and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through

Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Rebekah Anderson

Cairn University

Dante Brinkley Giovanni Casagrande Luke Danner Trevor DeHart

Lancaster Bible College University of Delaware Liberty University Employment

Joy Harrison Emily Hildick Brianna Hopkins Xinyu Hu

University of Delaware University of Delaware Howard University Rhode Island School of Design

Juntao Li Xi Li Timothy Masters Samiyah McFarlane

University of California, Irvine Goldey-Beacom College Delaware County Community College Wilmington University

Victoria Picarro Joshua Pierce Daniel Rettig Mary Rettig

University of Delaware Undecided University of Delaware University of Delaware,

Jie Wang Pei Wang Ziqi Yan Jingqiao Zhang

Undecided University of California, Babson College University of California, Davis
Santa Barbara

COMMENCEMENT On Saturday, June 5th, 38 descendant of several generations of
in-person and four online seniors were carpenters. Dr. Erdvig then spoke of
honored in the Fine Arts Auditorium the rise of David in the Bible and how
as the 43rd graduating class of he eventually became a king, noting
Wilmington Christian School. With that in 1 Samuel 16, David plays the
the women wearing white and the men harp–a skill unrelated to his primary
wearing red, this year’s graduation had calling–but one that helped open the
a strong sense of tradition with some door to other opportunities. Dr. Erdvig
added nontraditional flare. Board challenged the class to use the gifts
Chairman Mr. Mike McCudden gave that God has given them to bless
the invocation and welcoming remarks. others with their skills so that they may
Following the welcome, senior parent, fulfill the primary calling that God has
Mrs. Suzanne Johnson, read the senior on their lives.
class scripture, Philippians 1:9-11.
Immediately after the challenge,
The graduating class was chal- Joy Harrison, Microcosm editor,
lenged this year with the word “skilled.” presented the yearbook dedication to
Headmaster and senior parent Dr. Mrs. Celinda Conteh. Mr. Douglas
Roger Erdvig shared that he had no Haas then presented the student
clue that someday he would serve as a awards. Receiving the Valedictorian
Christian school headmaster upon his and Visual Arts awards was Xinyu
graduation from high school. While he “Sara” Hu. Jillian Kater was honored
thought about the future, he didn’t look with the Salutatorian, Science, and
at the present or the past, now men- World Language awards. Receiving the
tioning that “the past can provide keys English and Social Studies awards was
to God’s future purposes for us, and we Rebecca Anderson. Pei “Gina” Wang
should not ignore who we are as we earned the Mathematics award. The
seek His will for our lives.” He added, Bible department award went to
“Where you are uniquely skilled may Elizabeth Sayler. The final academic
very well open the doors to the oppor- award was for the Music department,
tunities that God has for you.” He and the recipient was Jaclynn Johnson.
listed that he is a leader, educator, and The Female Christian Character award
writer and has a skill unrelated to his and Outstanding Senior Female Ath-
primary calling–carpentry–as the lete awards were presented to Michaela

Elliott. The male recipient for the ity to share what the WCS family has many cried because it was then that
Christian Character and the Chris taught them. Sara continued with the they realized that was the last time
Landa Memorial awards was Daniel statement, “When our physical unity is they would be sitting in the chapel
Rettig. The Outstanding Senior Male broken, be brave; life is short, and don’t seats. “Time has a wonderful way of
Athlete was Andrew Overman. There waste time on things you don’t love.” showing us what matters.” She read
were countless other awards, too. At She concluded by thanking teachers Ecclesiastes 3, which begins with, “To
the conclusion of the awards, six stu- and classmates for the love they have everything there is a season, and a time
dents were recognized for having been shown throughout the years. to every purpose under the heaven…”
enrolled at WCS since kindergarten. She said she hopes they remember the
Faculty and staff were also recognized Salutatorian Jillian Kater chal- value of time, and they should make
for their years of service at WCS. lenged the class first to choose their the most of their time wherever they
friends who share their core beliefs. end up.
Senior advisor Mrs. Nancy Secondly, she reminded them that
Cowchok recognized the senior class disappointments would happen, Andrew Erdvig spoke on the word
officers: Victoria Picarro (president), referencing Jeremiah 29:11, “I know “truth.” He said that people claim that
Jillian Kater (vice president), Michaela the plans I have for you, says the truth is whatever is convenient for the
Elliott (treasurer), Zoe Abe (secretary), Lord…”Thirdly, she said, “prepare individual in today’s society. He chal-
and Andrew Kelley (sergeant at arms). diligently and know that you are lenged the class to remember the
Victoria Picarro then presented the ready.” Her last thoughts for the class truths that they have learned at WCS.
senior class gift of new red benches to were to draw upon the truth by He continued with further challenges
be used outside by future generations. pursuing Christ before anything else. of telling the class to immerse them-
selves in Scripture and then read
Valedictorian Xinyu “Sara” Hu Victoria Picarro, Andrew Erdvig, Psalm 119:60. He concluded by saying,
delivered a video message from China, and Michaela Elliott gave the final “Connect with friends and family who
mentioning some of the class’s obsta- student addresses. Tori said she had pursue truth and also choose courage.”
cles throughout the years, including been looking forward to providing a
those brought on by the pandemic. speech at graduation since she can Lastly, Michaela Elliott smiled
Sara enthused that “no matter what, remember, and that one word came to brightly and thanked all who have
we made it!” Sara alluded to the unity mind: time. She mentioned the value poured their hearts and lives into the
felt during Spirit Week and sporting of time, something that can never be class. She said ultimately, all honor
events as cherished but emphasized regained, referencing senior chapel, belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus
that the class’s ultimate unity is their where
unity in Christ. She chal- Christ. Michaela asked the
lenged them that now audience to close their eyes and
they have the responsibil- visualize standing in a field of
sunflowers. With this, she painted
a picture of the beauty of sun-
flowers. Next, she challenged the
class to water the roots that have
been planted from their years at
WCS. She paralleled their lives
to sunflowers’ lives and told them
to water their roots, bloom wher-
ever they are planted, and stay
fixed on God’s light. Once the
students’ speeches concluded,
seniors received their diplomas, turned
their tassels, and became the 43rd
graduating class of Wilmington
Christian School.

Celinda Conteh

HS English Teacher

Sara Hu

VALEDICTORIAN

Good morning, families, friends, faculty, Wilmington Christian School also reminds
and my lovely Wilmington Christian School us of unity. We feel unity on the sports field.
class of 2021. Today, I am honored to stand We shouted, screamed, and cheered every time
here, delivering this speech to conclude our our team scored a goal. We were tired but satis-
high school journey. Four years ago, We were fied because we enjoyed that flaming unity of
once all frightened teenagers who stepped into team pride. We also feel that unity during spirit
the freshmen hall nervously. Everything in our week. Competing against other classes, we col-
eyes was new and complicated: maze-like laborate, exert talents, and capture every oppor-
school layout, confusing homework projects, tunity to present the best posters and skits to
even the high school lockers were a bit...no, A the whole school. Our burning morale was
LOT more complex than the middle school what led us to the final victory. However, the
ones. To be honest, even now, sometimes I still ultimate unity we’ve learned at WCS would be
have trouble with that locker passcode. But no our unity in Christ. We have grown spiritually
matter what, Class of 2021, we made it! We through our time here, and now we have the
made our way through overwhelming high opportunity to impact others for Christ in our
school assignments, pressured college applica- future endeavors.
tions, and innumerable obstacles brought on by
the pandemic. When our senior year was about When this unity is going to be broken up
to end, I could not help looking back on our into many outstanding individuals, I want to
four years of high school. remind my classmates of something. Firstly, be
brave in pursuing what you love. Life is short,
What did Wilmington Christian School and we shouldn’t waste time on things we don’t
teach us over these years? It prepared us with like. Secondly, be determined to pursue what
comprehensive knowledge like math and you love. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “keep
history, but it also taught us how to become your eyes on the stars and feet on the ground.”
thoughtful individuals, bringing food for My advice is to do everything step by step,
Thanksgiving food drives and delivering our break your ambitious dreams into small short-
love to families in need every year. We have term goals, and complete them in perseverance.
I am sure one day you will catch the stars you’ve
learned to become dreamt of. Also, as we step into colleges, please
empathetic individuals, don’t forget to make people around you feel the
sharing our valuable warmth and love we learned about at WCS.
advice and solving
friends’ anxiety during Thank you, Wilmington Christian School,
WCS influence groups. teachers, families, and friends, for years of
Mark chapter 12 verse teaching and company. We, the class of 2021,
31 says,“Love your are ready to begin a new chapter of our lives
neighbor as yourself .” and conquer the next mountain that is college.
This Bible verse We are prepared to embrace the bright futures
perfectly demonstrates before us. Thank you, Class of 2021. I wish you
our warm actions. all the best and Congratulations.

Jillian Kater

SALUTATORIAN

The day is finally here; today we celebrate you,” declares the
all our hard work and achievements of the last LORD, “plans to pros-
four years. To start, I would like to thank my per you and not to harm
family for their unconditional love and unwa- you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
vering support. I would not be standing here
today without you. This past week as I switched Thirdly, Prepare diligently, then trust in
from the joy of finishing high school to coming that preparation. I had a habit in high school of
to terms with the impending doom of giving spending the morning of a test anxiously wor-
this speech, I began to look back and remember rying about how I would do, even though I had
a few of the truths I’ve learned at Wilmington thoroughly prepared for it. And then when the
Christian these past 13 years. test was handed back, being fearful of turning
that page over and confronting a possibly poor
First, choose friends who share your core result. Slowly I began to see that I needed to
beliefs; those are the friends you will hold on to trust in my preparation. I realized that I had
and weather out the years with. I’m blessed to studied enough and needed to trust that I was
have met my two best friends in kindergarten ready. These past four years of high school were
here at WCS. Through the years, we have our preparation for our next stage of life. Be
grown up together and challenged each other confident that you have been thoroughly pre-
to be the best versions of ourselves; I know that pared both academically and spiritually to face
these friendships will last a lifetime. Uplifting any challenge that is thrown your way. Draw
friends that encourage you to be your authentic upon the truths that have been instilled in us by
self and don’t force you to compromise or our parents and teachers, and know that you are
change are worth more than gold in life. ready.

The second truth is disappointments will And finally, but most importantly, pursue
happen. While I had many exciting experiences Christ before anything else. As we enter this
and wins with my teammates, the biggest life next phase of our lives, we need to always re-
lesson I learned from WCS athletics was how member what is truly important. We have been
to deal with disappointment. Whether I was let blessed these past four years to have God’s
down because of my performance in a game or word shared with us daily. But we will soon be
what the scoreboard showed at the end of a out in the world, so graduates, I urge you to
match, I felt an overwhelming sense of personal continue to seek his presence and rely on his
disappointment. But those feelings of regret unfailing love and know that more important
and let down over time led me to develop than any worldly accomplishment is your
perseverance. This lesson has impacted my life personal relationship with him.
in innumerable ways off the court as well.
Disappointment is inevitable in life, but we Jeremiah 9:23-24 states, This is what the
keep persevering because of the firm belief we Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their
have in God’s perfect plan for our lives. And wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or
even when we can’t seem to understand how the rich boast of their riches, but let the one
things can work for good, Jeremiah 29:11 who boasts boast about this: that they have the
reminds us that, “I know the plans I have for understanding to know me.”