Elijah Newbern, left, Ellimarie Bravo-Moe and Shelby Noel sing “I Have Been Blessed” at their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Kenai, Alaska. Newbern and Bravo-Moe are graduates of the Wings Christian Academy. Noel is a home school graduate. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Elijah Newbern, left, Ellimarie Bravo-Moe and Shelby Noel sing “I Have Been Blessed” at their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Immanuel Baptist Church in Kenai, Alaska. Newbern and Bravo-Moe are graduates of the Wings Christian Academy. Noel is a home school graduate. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Wings Christian Academy graduates 3 students

Each of the three graduates at Wings Christian Academy’s graduation and awards program spoke to three points as they celebrated the end of their schooling — thanks, advice and future plans.

Wings Christian Academy graduates Ellimarie Bravo-Moe and Elijah Newbern and home school graduate Shelby Noel were presented their diplomas at Immanuel Baptist Church in Kenai on Friday by Pastor Caleb Cinereski and their parents.

The graduates each also presented a slideshow of their life throughout photographs and took a moment during their individual speeches to thank their teachers, family and God.

“Thank you to my parents and teachers,” Newburn said. “They would encourage me, give me a bible verse and then some more math problems.”

They also were tasked with giving advice, imparting tidbits of wisdom onto Wings Christian Academy’s younger students.

“Reading really is one of the best ways you can grow and teach your brain,” Noel said. “But remember, you are what you read and keep learning as much as you can now.”

Each graduate also spoke of their plans now that they’ve graduated.

“I think my future goals include college,” Bravo-Moe said. “It’s whatever God wants really, but my goal is to go to college.

“If I go to college, I will be doing flight nursing,” Newbern said during his graduation speech. “If y’all ever get hurt in the wilderness, I’ll be the one to rescue you and get you out.”

“I place my future in God’s hands,” Newbern said. “For now, I’ll stay under the care of my father and mother. I will be getting a job soon and grow as an adult under their care.”

The ceremony was marked with different hymns and an enthusiastic crowd, singing along and encouraging the graduates throughout their speeches, and filled with the excitment of the three graduates.

“We made it,” Bravo-Moe said. “Yay!”

Wings Christian Academy is a private Christian school within the Immanuel Baptist Church in Kenai. The goal of Wings Christian Avademy is to train Christian youth of every ability in the highest principles of Christian leadership, self-discipline, individual responsibility, personal integrity and good citizenship.

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Homer High School sophomore Sierra Mullikin is one of the students who participated in the community walk-in on Wednesday, April 24. Communities across the state of Alaska held walk-ins in support of legislative funding for public education. (Photo by Emilie Springer)
Teachers, staff and community members ‘walk-in’ at 9 district schools

The unions representing Kenai Peninsula Borough School District staff organized a widespread,… Continue reading

Economist Sam Tappen shares insights about job and economic trends in Alaska and on the Kenai Peninsula during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s Industry Outlook Forum at Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (screenshot)
Kenai Peninsula job outlook outpaces other parts of Alaska

During one of the first panels of the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development… Continue reading

Angel Patterson-Moe and Natalie Norris stand in front of one of their Red Eye Rides vehicles in Seward, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Seward’s Red Eye Rides marks 2 years of a ‘little idea’ to connect communities

Around two years ago, Angel Patterson-Moe drove in the middle of the… Continue reading

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Oliver Trobaugh speaks to representatives of Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department during Career Day at Seward High School in Seward on Wednesday.
Seward students explore future ambitions at Career Day

Seward High School hosted roughly two dozen Kenai Peninsula businesses Wednesday for… Continue reading

Foliage surrounds the Soldotna Police Department sign on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Ninilchik resident charged with vehicle theft arrested for eluding police

Additional charges have been brought against a Ninilchik resident arrested last month… Continue reading

U.S. Department of Justice Logo. (Graphic by Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Sterling resident charged with wire fraud involving COVID-19 relief funds

Sterling resident Kent Tompkins, 55, was arrested last week, on April 16,… Continue reading

Poster for Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited Fishing Gear Swap. (Courtesy Kenai Peninsula Trout Unlimited)
Trout Unlimted gear swap to return, expands to include outdoor gear

The Kenai Peninsula Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host its second annual… Continue reading

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Bait prohibited on Kasilof River from May 1 to May 15

Emergency order issued Tuesday restores bait restriction

Girl Scout Troop 210, which includes Caitlyn Eskelin, Emma Hindman, Kadie Newkirk and Lyberty Stockman, present their “Bucket Trees” to a panel of judges in the 34th Annual Caring for the Kenai Competition at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Bucket trees take top award at 34th Caring for the Kenai

A solution to help campers safely and successfully extinguish their fires won… Continue reading

Most Read