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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high school, middle school, and grammar school students, families, teachers, and administrators faced unprecedented challenges in the spring. In recognition of the faith, hard work, and perseverance at local Christian schools, TriStateVoice.com is honoring graduates in July. Today, we honor Hawthorne Christian Academy in Hawthorne, NJ.
On June 12, 2020, Hawthorne Christian Academy held exciting, one-of-a-kind 8th grade and 12th grade graduation ceremonies at the Warwick Drive-In Theatre in Warwick, New York. HCA graduates and families rejoiced to once again gather together to celebrate this momentous occasion. The ceremonies included the traditional commencement processionals, speeches by HCA’s Valedictorians and Salutatorians, and prayers led by HCA students and Hawthorne Gospel Church’s Head Pastor, John Minnema.
During the 12th grade graduation ceremony, HCA Salutatorian, Ava Rainey, encouraged her fellow graduates to remember all that they had learned at HCA as they look ahead to the future, saying, “We have witnessed such powerful testimonies of the goodness of God through our teachers, HCA staff, chapel speakers, family, and friends.” She exhorted her peers to give their lives and talents to the Lord and walk in His purpose, reminding them that “When we surrender ourselves and our ambitions to the Lord and make Him our captain, nothing in this life can overtake us and steer us away from His unfailing love and safety.” (story continues after ad)
In her address to her classmates, Valedictorian Gianna D’Amato, expressed appreciation for HCA, saying, “We’re a family; a body of believers and I love being a part of it.” She also thanked her teachers and HCA community for making their senior year so special, with heartfelt words, “The effort and time spent to make us feel loved, celebrated, and connected is much noted and appreciated.” In her main charge, Gianna referenced 1 Corinthians 9:24, which challenges believers to run the race before them in such a way to win the prize. As the HCA Class of 2020 completed the last stretch of “a long four-year race…A race where teachers, family, and friends have come alongside us and encouraged us to finish, and to finish well,” she reminded her classmates that, though storms may come, they must fix their eyes on Jesus, our living hope, as the next race begins.
HCA’s 2020 Graduation Ceremonies can be viewed on the school’s Facebook Page, where each 12th grade graduate has also been individually featured.
Hawthorne Christian Academy is committed to inspire and challenge our students toward spiritual maturity, to achieve academic excellence, and to impact the world for Christ.
Hawthorne Christian Academy Class of 2020 & Colleges
Justin Awad, Seton Hall University
Maeve Barclay, Gordon College
Nicole Basmadjian, Liberty University
Olivia Bell, Caldwell University
Sofia Bruno, Seton Hall University
Nicole Bucci, Liberty University
Ella Cace, Brookdale Community College
Christian Chandy, Wheaton College
Anthony Chiommino, New Jersey Institute of Technology
John Cook, County College of Morris
Gianna D’Amato, Grove City College
Sophie Dubé, Bergen Community College
Philip Duncan, Case Western Reserve University
Cole Foster, Cairn University
Cecilia Guingon, Liberty University
Carson Guingon, Liberty University
Howard Haughton, Rochester Institute of Technology
Zoe Higby, Liberty University
James Jobson, Southeastern University
Robert Kayal, Liberty University
Jadon Koppenal, Liberty University
Alexa Kriesel, Eastern University
Angelica Kristiansen, Ramapo College
Christian Lee, School of Visual Arts
Eric Lindemulder, Lipscomb University
Shane Littel, Ramapo College
Angela Lovato, University of Scranton
Abigail Mastroberti, Liberty University
Nicholas Mateo Alvarado, New Jersey City University
Joshua Meharg, Stevens Institute of Technology
Brian Mowad, Virginia Tech
Emily Oh, Wake Forest University
Phoebe Prinz, Agnes Scott College
Ava Rainey, University of Pittsburgh
Isaiah Rejouis, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Adriana Roa, Word of Life Bible Institute
Lauren Rosoff, Gordon College
Olivia Sarnel, California Baptist University
Sela Sarnel, Louisiana State University
John-Marco Tatarian, Liberty University
Sabine Thimothee, George Mason University
Kaylyn Wang, University of Pennsylvania
Camille Webb, Word of Life Bible Institute
Hawthorne Christian Academy 8th Grade Graduates
Rebekha Altuna
Keri Andersen
Zara Atekpe
Jalen Augustin
Julie Awad
Migda-el Baptiste
Sarah Cook
MaryAnne Cruz
Sophia DiGregorio
Sean Dobbs
Jessica Gessner
Anne Guanga
Ryan Hahn
Natalie Hanna
Nathan Harris
Andrew Hart
Andrew How
Trygve Johannesen
Sabrina Kioumji
Ava Lamitola
Eliot Lee
Soleille Manasse
Grace Mark
Caleb Mathew
Sean McHugh
Christina Orr
Alexander Perez
Kathryn Rappaport
Laura Restrepo
Anna Rypkema
Cecilia Soheily
Jonathan Trabal
Austin Tucker
Joel Walker
Logan Wilkerson
Christine Williams
Jeremiah Wofford
Jonathan Yoo