Seniors urged at baccalaureate to ‘stick with it'

Franklin County High School’s graduating seniors came together for a spirited service of faith and unity as they gathered at the Eastpoint Church of God May 23 for the traditional baccalaureate service.

“There’s something different about this one,” said the church’s youth pastor Scott Shiver, the afternoon’s guest speaker, as he came to the podium.

Shiver was describing a feeling that all in the sanctuary were sharing, that this year’s service marked an impassioned, student-centered expression of devotion that marked the members of the class, who have known all their high school years as one consolidated group.

From the moment Brother Gene McLeod, the Carrabelle Christian Center’s youth pastor, welcomed the attendees, the energy resonated, from the laughter and tears of the traditional slide show, to special performances by Carrabelle Christian Center’s Free Fire expressive dance troupe and by the Love Center’s Damien Davis and Joel Williams, who did a dance pantomime in clown white face paint. Both performances were set to contemporary Christian music and drew fervent applause from the audience.

Salutatorian Kendyl Hardy talked enthusiastically about the work of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and encouraged teachers and students to keep its vital work alive in the community. “We fellowship with each other just to get out all the bad stuff,” she said. “It’s really impacting a lot of people’s lives.”

Hardy presented pins to all of this year’s participants, and was followed by a musical performance by senior Chase Richards.

“This is a church service for the seniors to remind them they can be successful in a good Christian walk,” he said. “Jesus gave you his most precious possession. He wanted every one of us to have that choice. God’s there, and if you ever need Him, He’s there.”

As guest speaker, Shiver radiated the humor and warmth that has marked his role with these seniors, beyond not only his active involvement with the FCA but dating back to when he was tasked to help bring together both Apalachicola and Carrabelle students into the incoming classes to the consolidated school.

Shiver spoke in realistic terms to the seniors, urging them to maintain a “stick with it mentality” as they face the challenges of tomorrow.

“This world is shaky,” he said. “Young people are wondering ‘is my mom or dad going to have a job tomorrow?’”

Shiver said that while he, and the young people, haven’t known the tough times of their parents, they have to prepare themselves for the days ahead. He cited Eleazar, from 2 Samuel 23:9, who “struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword,” demonstrating his commitment to King David’s battle.

“I hope you don’t ever have to go through a battle like that,” said Shiver.

He stressed that Eleazar never said “I fought this battle all by myself,” but did his duty on behalf of others.

Shiver encouraged the youth to consider careers in business and entrepreneurship, that will lead to hiring others, or working for others, all in a common cause.

“It’s about to get very lonely for you,” he said. “And it’ll get lonelier. As you get older, your friends will be less.”

But he urged the youth to stick out, in cooperation with God’s design for their lives.