The rain outdoors did not put a damper on the spirits of the 29 graduates of the Lehigh Valley Christian High School during the Class of 2013 commencement ceremony held June 7 at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown.

The graduation began with the slow toll of a bell and the graduates proudly proceeding down the middle of the church aisle, two by two, the young men adorned in black caps and gowns and young women in red.

Class President Emily Barry welcomed the graduates, staff members of LVCHS and family and friends to the graduation.

"Thank you for coming to celebrate this milestone in our lives," she said.

Barry also gave the salutatory address. She asked the new graduates to reflect back on the past four years of their high school careers and be thankful for all God has provided to them.

"What has God given you through LVCHS?" she asked. "Whatever you have taken through LVCHS, continue to cling to that."

Although the new graduates will branch out into different directions in life, Barry suggested that each student make decisions based on his or her faith.

"Does what I'm doing honor my creator?" she asked. "Search for your passion and look for God's will."

Class Valedictorian Molly Yandrofski shared with the graduates the Bible story of Hagar, particularly the uncertainty of the future and relying on the provisions of God.

"We can call out not to a distant God, but to a God that sees us," she said. "Keep your eyes open and be encouraged by God."

She also offered two recommendations to the Class of 2013: first, "Approach the next point in life with confidence" and next,"Live a life that delights God in public and private."

Principal Robert Brennan provided highlights of the Class of 2013. He said 19 of the students had attended all four years at LVCHS, 10 began their Christian education in kindergarten or first grade, 97 percent will go on to college, 66 percent will attend a four-year college, six will attend a two-year college, one graduate has enlisted in the Marine Corps. Eighteen percent are headed to Christian colleges and 10 percent are attending college outside of Pennsylvania.

"Quite a class and blend of people from all over," he said of the graduates.

Giving the commencement address was Pastor David Kochsmeier of the Steel City Mennonite Church and father of Class of 2013 graduate Daniel Kochsmeier.

Kochsmeier noted most of the educational years of the Class of 2013 were spent in the shadows of worldwide terror. He told the graduates, however, to use their faith to meet future challenges.

"As you cross over into the wilderness of academia, you're going to cross into your promised land," he said. "But God is faithful. He will give you courage to meet those obstacles and challenges."

Diplomas were then presented to each graduate by Kochsmeier as Brennan read a short scripture passage selected by each student. After receiving a diploma, each graduate presented a rose to a family member in the audience.

Photographs were displayed on a large screen of the graduates in their younger years.

Special music was performed by graduates Amber Olmeda, Becky Mace, Alli Aversa and Paula Herbert and graduate Chang Hyun Kim shared his testimony. Graduate Erica Balboa also gave a scripture reading.

Graduates of the LVCHS Class of 2013 plan to attend Bloomsburg University, City University of New York, DeSales University, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh University, Liberty University, Northampton Community College, Moravian College, Pennsylvania State University, St. John's University, University of Pittsburgh and Widener University.