6 Jun, 2011
Graduation!
Bloomington, IN - Peeking out from underneath Bloomington High School North senior Latisha Burks’ graduation gown was a knee-high pair of black sneakers sporting gold laces.
“I’ve had them since my freshman or sophomore year, and I always change the laces,” she said with an impish grin. “A teacher dared me to wear them to graduation.”
And she did, sporting the flamboyant footwear while walking the line alongside hundreds of her fellow seniors at Assembly Hall on Saturday morning. Burks is headed to Japan this summer, and then plans to study at Indiana University in the fall.
Dad Randy Burks — himself a 1983 North graduate — couldn’t be more proud, saying, “She’s quite an accomplishment.”
Fellow senior Chelcee Ray likened Saturday’s graduation ceremony to “a sigh of relief, yet anticipation for what’s to come.”
She’ll get a jump start on her studies this summer at IU, where she plans to study nursing.
North principal Jeff Henderson declared Saturday the “culmination of four years of hard work on the part of this graduating class.”He said more than 85 percent of the class has indicated they intend to pursue acollege degree. Fifty-one students were named principal’s scholars for achieving a grade point average higher than a 4.0, and the overall class earned more than $1 million in scholarships, he said.
“You hold the power to impact your world in so many ways,” Henderson told the students.
story & image courtesy of - heraldtimesonline.com
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.” The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
What does God's Story teach us about Graduation?
In cities all across the U.S. high school graduations much like this one are taking place. Thousands of high school students are ceremoniously passing from one challenging phase of their life and into a great mysterious unknown. Before Jesus began his earthly ministry he first passed through a major phase of temptation and struggle in the desert. When he was finished he walked right into the mission that God had for him and began to work miracles, heal the sick, and challenge the status quo with his teachings. In many ways, the tempation in the desert was the rite of passage experience, just like high school, that was the final step in the preperation process for Jesus.
So.....it seems that if we're interested in following the example of Jesus, we've got to be ready to make some sacrifices too. To look some temptations right in the face and say, "No. I want God's plan for my life."
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to My Life?
- Say a prayer for the graduates you know as they turn this major corner in their life.
- Refelct on the sacrifices Jesus is asking you to make to follow him.
How can I connect today's God's Story scripture to others?
- Talk with one of this year's graduates about the "trials and sacrifices" they had to make to get through high school.
- Talk about the story of Jesus in the desert with your youth pastor or Campus Life Director.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
