The Lehigh Valley Christian High School year is coming to a close with end-of-the-year student activities such as a banquet, class trips and final exams.

This past weekend students had their Junior-Senior Banquet. This is a formal occasion, not unlike a prom, where the students dress up for an evening of food, fellowship and fun. This year's theme was "Sunset in Paradise," and it took place at The Vintage Country Club in Easton.

We also have two very special chapel services at the end of the year. Senior Chapel is when the seniors say farewell to the school and seek to honor and thank their teachers. Junior Chapel is when the underclassmen say farewell to the seniors and honor them.

***

Last week, the senior class took their final exams and now they are on a class trip to Texas. The underclassmen also take class trips today, May 30, to such places as Knoebles, Dorney Park, the beach, and the Catasauqua Park, to celebrate the end of the school year. Final exams for the underclassmen are the first week of June.

***

The school year ends on Friday, June 7, with our Awards Convocation in the morning at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church on Howertown Road and our 25th annual commencement ceremony that evening at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church in Allentown. The public is welcome to attend both events.

***

Spring sports have come to an end. The Cougar track team participated at the PIAA District XI meet and set several personal and school records. Our best finish was in the boys' 400m, where Colton Rex placed fourth! Miroslava Sheregi placed ninth in girls' shot put. Jacob Stith and Rachel Loar were named team MVPs at the athletic awards event last week.

The Cougar baseball team played in the first round of the District XI playoffs and suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Moravian Academy, 7-6. We had a runner on third base with two outs in the last inning and were not able to get him home! However, the boys' played well and can be proud of their performance. Jacob Sheriff was named team MVP at the athletic awards event last week, and also earned all-conference honors, along with Joshua Kochsmeier.

***

Three students from LVCHS' production of the musical "Annie" performed in the opening and closing numbers for the Freddy Awards at the State Theatre in Easton last week. This awards event was televised live on WFMZ-TV Channel 69 and video clips are available still on their website. We are very proud of Abby Parnell, Lizzie Ruppert and Matt Weaver for their hard work!

***

The LVCHS choir went on tour to two of our sending middle schools last week: Good Shepherd Christian Academy in Washington, N,J., and Lehigh Christian Academy in Allentown.

***

The 2013 yearbooks were distributed last week. The dedication was to Henry Crush for his 25 years of service to the Lord here at LVCHS. Special thanks to Deanna Gehman and her yearbook staff for a great job!

***

Last week we also had class officer elections for the coming school year. Senior officers will be Geneva Piergiovanni (president), Rebecca Sutton (vice-president), Seak Lay (treasurer) and Rachel Prusak (Secretary). Junior officers include Jader Restrepo (president), Alicia Smith (vice president), Joshua Rapp (treasurer) and Jacob Rapp (secretary). Sophomore officers are Andrew Groff (president), Brayden Rickoski (vice president) and Matt Weaver (treasurer). Joshua Brennan was appointed by the faculty to serve as student chaplain.

***

Enrollment for the 2013-14 school year is well underway. The Funding the Future dessert event raised over $100,000 to help fund scholarships for needy students. Applications continue to be accepted through the summer as long as seats are still available.