of Attleboro awarded diplomas on Friday to the four graduates of its Class of 2012 during the school's annual Commencement Exercises at the Greater Rhode Island Baptist Temple in Smithfield, R.I.
During a regal and decorous 90-minute program staged in front of a large gathering of family members and friends, the four graduates witnessed and participated in a grand presentation of God's Precious Sacrifice, which included narrations, dramatic interpretations and musical productions from staff members and students in grades 1 through 12 at the school. Attired in red graduation robes and mortarboards, the graduates later recited their favorite Biblical verse (Galatians 2:20), joyfully transferred their tassels at the conclusion of the program and tossed their mortarboards into the gathering prior to the closing recessional.
Grace Baptist's Class of 2012 includes Isaac Bryden, Ashley Marqus, Tyler McGee and Zachary Yoakum. They were awarded diplomas by Pastor Jeffrey Bailey (school superintendent) and Pastor Jeffrey Nichols (school principal) as well as members of the Grace Baptist School Committee.
Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Commencement speaker Pastor Frederick Bryden of the Immanuel Baptist Church of Pawtucket, R.I. (and father of graduate Isaac Bryden) urged the graduates to live out their lives according to God's plan for them.
"Man is saved by the grace of God alone," Pastor Bryden said. "If you live a life of obedience to God, God will bless your lives and give you all you need to prosper."
Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Continuing with school tradition, the Class of 2012 presented Bailey with a hand-crafted sword indicative of the strength of Jesus Christ and encased in a wood and glass container as its class gift. Graduates also received individual gifts from the school's first-grade students, who ostensibly comprise its Class of 2023
The bulk of the narrative of God's Precious Sacrifice was delivered by faculty members Lorraine Bailey and Brittney Moore. Bailey also distributed academic achievement awards for the 2011-12 academic year to students in grades 1 through 12. Brief addresses and prayers were offered by Pastor Bailey, Pastor Nichols and Timothy McGee (chairman of the Grace baptist School Committee) and numerous musical productions were performed by students and faculty members.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.