Proud parents looked on as eleven students received their well-earned diplomas Friday night during the Garrett Memorial Christian School (GMCS) Graduation Ceremony at Hempstead Hall. GMCS Administrator Christi Zumwalt presented each senior at the start of the ceremony and youth pastor Chris Vines gave the Senior Charge, but what took center stage for the night were the accomplishments of these eleven students. Their achievements were made obvious by the sheer amount of scholarships announced, proving that while Garrett’s graduating class may be small in number, their academic prowess is anything but. 

Zumwalt said that as a whole, the GMCS Class of 2023 had been awarded $402,607 in scholarships so far, and she said that number is likely to grow since some students are still waiting to hear a response regarding other applications. Some organizations, both local and abroad, were in attendance last night to present these scholarships: Hope Lions Club, Hope Junior Auxiliary, New Millenium, UAHT, SAU, and the Cooper family, who was there to present the second annual Parker Cooper Memorial Scholarship. Other scholarships announced were from Farm Bureau, Diamond State Bank, and LifeShare, as well as the respective colleges these students will soon be attending. Two of the scholarships were provided by two anonymous donors, Zumwalt said, and in the form of $1,000 awarded to both Valedictorian Sophy Tyson and Salutatorian Jaci McKamie.

In their roles of valedictorian and salutatorian, these two ladies also had the task of speaking to the audience. Tyson said it had been a “privilege to attend Garrett and an honor to be valedictorian” and shared some memories of her time with classmates at GMCS, as well as her appreciation for her education. “Not only do I have many good memories to thank Garrett for, but I also have my biblical foundation to thank them for,” Tyson said. “Garrett’s mission isn't only for us to succeed academically but also spiritually. Our spiritual well-beings will always be priorities here, and that is why Garrett is special.” She said the education she and her classmates received at Garrett taught them how to have Christ-centered lives.

McKamie followed next and shared the many possibilities that await the students after graduation, in addition to her appreciation for how the time GMCS had helped her and fellow classmates to succeed. “As we end this chapter of the book in our GMCS career and begin a new story of our own, we will always have these moments, memories, and special people in our lives together to look back on and thank for getting us to this day,” McKamie said. “With that, Class of 2023, we have finally made it to the day we've all been waiting for. We’ve made it.” 

Lee Eskridge also spoke and shared details about the senior mission trip. His re-telling of events was lively, prompting laughter from the audience, and his closing with a quote from Richard Bach was heartfelt. Eskridge said, “‘A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments of lifetime, is certain for those who are friends,’” and then wished his classmates success in their future endeavors.

For the main event, happy families watched as the seniors walked the stage to receive their diplomas. The applause and cheers for these eleven was as boisterous as would be for a graduating class of 100, and well-deserved, too, considering their long list of accolades that had been announced earlier in the ceremony. Afterward, as these graduates moved their tassels and stood to leave the stage, they wore joyous smiles filled with pride, and it’s not a far stretch to understand why. The GMCS Class of 2023 has proven that you don’t need big numbers to have mighty accomplishments.

The Garrett Memorial Christian School Class of 2023 are as follows:

Katelynn Elizabeth Alexander (Cum Laude)
Elizabeth Marie Burk
Barrett Wylie Currie (Cum Laude)
Lindell Edward Eskridge (Summa Cum Laude)
Jaci Kayden McKamie (Summa Cum Laude)
Seth Michael Niven (Cum Laude)
Hayden Michelle Quillin (Summa Cum Laude)
Brandi Nicole Smith
Caleb Aaron Tucker
Sophy Mayne Tyson (Summa Cum Laude)
Ana Marie Watkins (Summa Cum Laude)