BRADENTON — Parent LuAnn Modrow offered words of encouragement to the 12 nervous seniors of the home-school class of 2009 as they awaited a graduation processional.
“I want you to relax and smile,” she told them. “You should be proud.”
Support Homeschool Activities Reaching Everyone, or SHARE, is a volunteer group that coordinates activities for a home-school program in Manatee and Sarasota counties. Each year, commencement is held for its seniors.
The ceremony was Saturday afternoon at West Bradenton Baptist Church.
Debbie Dykes, SHARE coordinator, principal of Horizon Educational Systems and a parent of one of the seniors, told the families, relatives and friends of the class of 2009 to “grab your tissues” as the ceremony began.
After the traditional processional to “Pomp and Circumstance” when the seniors took their seats on stage, the audience watched a video and musical dedication to the graduates. It showed the progression of the students from children to graduation day.
“Some of these graduates have grown up in a blink of an eye,” said Dykes, who has home-schooled all six of her children. “They have a firm foundation and a joy for life.”
Dykes briefly highlighted the many talents of the graduating class. They ranged from musician to computer designer and athlete, to Manatee Community College graduate and Manatee County Soil and Water Conservationist of the Year.
Ethan Gillett led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the “Star Spangled Banner.” Then senior Alexandria Youngs gave the class speech. She told her fellow classmates to appreciate their talents after graduation.
“We are all very unique,” said Youngs. “God has given us different talents and dreams.”
Youngs added they needed to be cautious because many believe graduates today are doomed to fail because of inexperience and youth. But they have the talents to rise above it, she said.
“With youth on your side, anything is possible,” said Youngs. “Youth have power. We get excited, we get active, we’re passionate.”
Charles Young, high school pastor at Bayside Community Church, cautioned graduates about “not hitting the snooze button through life.” He recalled his own experiences as a youth.
It was after a trip to Colorado, Young felt his calling from God.
“A lot of times in life, we hit the snooze button,” he said. We go through life and God is asking us to do things, and we hit the snooze button.”
Young told the seniors that his life changed after that. He said their lives will change too, as long as they have God in their lives. When people listen to God, amazing things happen in their lives, he said.
“You all have got some passion and some zeal,” said young. “Don’t lose that passion; don’t lose that zeal, that fire. You can do anything in the Kingdom of God.”
Daniel Dykes, Ryan Modrow and Chad Woods performed “Who Am I?” Later in the ceremony, Woods and Modrow performed an original song dedicated to Jesus Christ written by Woods called “We Will Fight.”
Some of the words echoed the sentiments of graduates as they embarked on the next phase of their lives.
“We are the ones who will reach out to the lost and broken,” he said.
After each senior received a diploma and they briefly left the stage to pose for photos, a recorded message played for the audience. Each graduate’s message thanked families, parents and friends for their support.
Woods message to his parents said, “I’m blessed to have you both in my life. You never gave up on me when I was lost. This is it. I’m finally on my way.”
Youngs message said “It’s been a wonderful 17 years. No matter where life takes me, I will always be your baby girl.”
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