ShawneeDispatch.com

Maranatha Academy's largest graduating class in the school's history gathered Saturday afternoon for commencement activities at Full Faith Church of Love, 6824 Lackman Rd.

Friends and family of the 55 graduates gathered at the church to hear speeches from administrators and the class salutatorian and valedictorian.

It was Maranatha's 27th graduating class.

"This is a smart class and an athletic class," said Larry Daugherty, Maranatha principal. "They love the Lord, and they love and respect each other."

Each graduate entered the church to a photo collage displayed on a video board and accompanied by the Maranatha band playing "Pomp and Circumstance."

Senior class advisors Larry Dunn and Lorrie Nelson greeted the students at the front of the church.

"Today our dreams become bigger," said salutatorian Jonathan Jenkins. "Today the road of opportunity becomes wider."

Faculty member Mark Hoduski introduced a new scholarship program in honor of former Full Faith Church members Guiseppe and Nino Lombardo, who died April 16 in a traffic collision on Interstate 70.

Josiah Nelson was awarded the first Lombardo scholarship and the school's Christian Character award. Alina Pedigo earned the school's Servant's Heart award.

Following a humorous speech by valedictorian Joomee Shim, senior class president Emmanuel Wallace told the audience that the class would contribute $1,000 of a yearlong fund-raising effort to the Lombardo scholarship fund and about $6,600 for a new sound system in the gymnasium.