Graduation week begins with Baccalaureate
UCHS Graduation: 8 p.m. Fri., May, 25 WGHS Graduation: 8 p.m. Sat., May 26
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam The candlelight ceremony.

A full week of graduation activities began Monday, as Union County High School held the 2007 Baccalaureate Service at First Baptist Church of Blairsville.

Senior Class President Lauren Dyer gave the welcoming address in front of a sanctuary filled with graduates, family, and friends. Senior Class Representative Jordan West delivered the call to worship, reminding the class to give glory to God "for the struggles he has been with us through, and the strength he has given us," and asked the congregation to sing the hymn "Blessed Assurance."

Dr. Fred Lodge gave the invocation. "We pray your blessings on this graduating class," Pastor Lodge said. "We pray that you would guide them either into careers or onto higher education, or in whatever they are called to do."

Jasmin Gonzalez, Senior Class Representative, offered the Old Testament reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-11. Part of the passage says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Dr. Jimmy Tanner speaks to the UCHS Seniors at the 2007 Baccalaureate service.

Senior Class Vice President Michelle Blubaugh gave the New Testament reading from Philippians 2:1-5. The scripture states, "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

Dr. Jimmy Tanner gave the Baccalaureate address of "Lessons for Living," based on II Kings 6:15-17. Dr. Tanner described it as a "great opportunity" to get to speak to the class. "Baccalaureate is actually the last word given to your class," Dr. Tanner said. He described graduation as "one of the pivotal moments in your life."

He read a list of some of the accomplishments of the class, down to an average of how many days they had been alive. "If you could only see what you cannot see, you would know that God has been with you every step of the way," Dr. Tanner said. He told the class that God has plans for all of them and that they need to trust in Him.

Katey Towery offered a prayer for the class of 2007, saying the class was there to thank God and praise Him for the lives he has given them. Reverend K. Travis Adams also offered a prayer for the class.

The Candlelight Service was conducted by Senior Class Representatives Taylor DeBell, Kayce Ledford, Colton Payne, and Jessie Vaughn.

The Prayer for the Children anthem was performed by the UCHS Chorus. Will Stafford performed a unique rendition of Amazing Grace on his saxophone. Stafford and Bonnie Blackmer later performed the senior class duet of I Will Remember You.

The service was sponsored by the Union County Ministerial Alliance. Special thanks were given to Gina Donahue, Rita Hooper, Jackie Hill, and First Baptist Church.