Graduates of 2016
Graduation Address to the Class of 2016
Principal Nathan Siebenga addresses the graduates of the Class of 2016.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Introduction – Parents, Graduates, guests, and all those connected to Hamilton District Christian High who are celebrating with us tonight: there is just something about Us. There is just something about Us when we get together. When we meet together. When we sing together. When we celebrate together.
It’s a feeling; can you feel it graduates? Graduates, as you sat here tonight, and hear the voices of song and spoken word pour over you like a waterfall, know that this is what it is like to be Us. This is your community. Graduates, there is just something about Us.
Related: Habits of a Hamilton District Christian High Graduate
Class of 2016, this is our last moment together. It really is an “us” milestone, an ending, and a beginning. Just a few last moments to hold on to what was, to what we and what you have created, to your identity as high school students and as a class. Have you ever noticed that we reference the Class of 2016, not the Student of 2016? It’s because this is an “Us” moment, not a “You” moment. An “Us” moment.
Tonight, I want to leave you reflecting on one word. The word is Loves. Not Love, not Loved, but the plural noun Loves. I want to suggest that during your time at HDCH you have become better people because you have acquired more Loves. Now this is a dangerous word with a group of teenagers, but I think you are going to get it.
Your Christian Education has shaped you these past four years; it has pushed you to explore many things, it has pushed you to find your passion or passions, otherwise known as your Loves.
Calvin College professor James K. Smith, in his book Desiring the Kingdom, suggests that we all become what we love. This is a reminder to all of us that we are not just intellectual beings. You are not just repositories for curriculum or subject content, you are way more than this. And at Hamilton District Christian High we have worked to help you acquire more and better Loves.
So, what do I mean?
- When Science revealed the wonder of God’s Creation and you loved it more, you became better and acquired more love.
- When the beauty of literature built you a window into the Holy and the Chaos of our world and you loved it, you became better and acquired more love.
- When you trained so hard to score a basket, learn your lines, or make a pass at the right time, and you loved it, you acquired more love.
- When your place in the Biblical story humbled you, inspired you and encouraged you, you became better and acquired more love.
- When your voice or fingers produce music or video or a song that reminds of us angels and you loved it, you became better and acquired more love.
- When the order of Math or the wisdom of the Humanities uncovered more and more questions and you found yourself working to deeper and deeper into your faith in Jesus Christ, and you loved it, you became better and acquired more love.
- When you learn that the adults at HDCH were here to help you succeed, you loved it and became better and acquired more love.
- When you bent metal or shaped wood to create a new thing of beauty–just like our God did when He formed our earth–and you loved it, you became better and acquired more love.
So, who are you? You are a better people who have acquired more Loves: Math, volleyball, science, choir, History, Lacrosse, Art, OFSAA or Philosophy. You have all acquired more Loves.
Your grade 9 self has become your grade 12 self. Our grade 12 luncheons were a reflection of your Loves. And if your theme verse means anything to Us tonight, it’s that all of this loving and learning was started by a God who loved us first. It’s the greatest Love story around. And so your exploration, discovery and education is a form of worship to our God, who started this good work in you. It started before you were born. Your education is your response to God’s enduring love of you, to his faithfulness, it’s a response that says, “We Love you, God.” It’s a profession of our faith, really.
And so, Graduates, when all the projects, tests, and assignments have been faded by the speeding minutes of gaining even more and better Loves, when the memories of the curriculum fade like your wardrobe shirt, be confident that indeed it is our God that is completing his good work in you, and in all of Us. This is an “Us” moment.
Thank you.
Nathan Siebenga
Principal