It was a time of gratitude and reflection June 12 as 30 members of the Lehigh Valley Christian High School Class of 2015 officially crossed over from student to graduate.

The commencement exercise, held at Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown, began with the soft tolling of the bell and the new graduates walking in twos down the aisle of the church and ultimately taking their seats in the front of the sanctuary.

Valedictorian Adeline Guthrie, of Emmaus, said it was a privilege spending the past four years with her classmates.

"I'm proud of what our class has accomplished," Guthrie said.

Although a number of the graduates may be excited and nervous about the future, she said, it is time for them to move on to the next chapter of their lives.

"LVCHS has started us on our way," she said. "Hold on to what was taught to us and apply it to every aspect of your life."

Salutatorian Brianna Westover, of Catasauqua, fondly recalled freshman year, class trips, retreats and "funny Fridays in homeroom.

"Every memory I have I will cherish," Westover said.

She encouraged the Class of 2015 to rise above hardships and stand firm in Christ.

"Stay strong, stay humble, stay faithful and go out and make a difference," Westover said.

According to Director of Education Robert Brennan, 21 of the 30 graduates have attended LVCHS all four years; 13 of 30 have been in Christian education since kindergarten or first grade; 50 percent of the class will attend a four year college or university; 40 percent will go on to community college; 1 percent will enroll in an online college; 1 percent will serve in the military; and 1 percent will go straight into the workforce.

"They are a varied group," Breenan said of the Class of 2015.

Dr. John Stacey, Association of Christian Schools International Northeast regional director, gave the commencement address.

He told the new graduates they now must select one of two roads: one pleasing to God or the other road in which they will trust God.

"At the end of your days, you will have become the sum total of all of the decisions you have made in your life," he said. "This is the beginning of your life."

The Class of 2015 will attend such colleges and universities as California State University, Chico; Rutgers University, New Brunswick; Indiana Wesleyan University; Liberty University; Millersville University; Pennsylvania State University (Bucks and Lehigh Valley campuses); University of Pittsburgh; University of Phoenix Online; Northampton Community College and Lehigh Carbon Community College.