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Cornerstone Christian School honored 18 graduating seniors during a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Columbiana. (Reporter photos/Noah Wortham)

By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – After years of diligent study, disciplined athleticism and dutiful devotion, the close-knit class of 2025 excitedly threw their caps in the air—heralding in a new chapter of adventure for the students as they say goodbye to their time at Cornerstone Christian School.

Cornerstone Christian School honored 18 graduating seniors during a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Columbiana. During the ceremony, faculty and staff delivered a deliberate celebration that provided a spotlight for each of the graduating seniors—allowing the emotions of the moment to sink in for students and their family members.

Graduates Brianna Hudson and Landon Alexander provided an overview of the class of 2025’s time at CCS with personal anecdotes and nostalgic memories that brought a chuckle out of the audience. Isabella Peoples delivered a stirring rendition of “Never Grow Up” which led one of the graduates to burst into tears as they reflected on the moment.

Class salutatorian Cohen Hewitt delivered an address expressing his gratitude to the faculty and staff who have helped him along the way as well as his parents.

“I’d like to say that I owe a tremendous amount of success to the remarkable individuals who supported me along the way… The staff have played a pivotal role in my development,” Hewitt said. “But it is my parents who have been my greatest champions.”

During his address, Hewitt revealed a notable epiphany that came to him regarding his faith and recounted a time that he remembers two of his fellow classmates making the decision to follow Jesus.

“Throughout my education, I’ve come to realize that while academic success and future careers are important, the most vital aspect of our life is our relationship with Jesus Christ,” Hewitt said.

After the salutatory address and song by Peoples, Parents joined their graduating children at the front of the auditorium for a prayer by Vice Principal Terry Garett focused on the graduates, their parents and expressing gratitude.

Drake Dunning delivered the valedictory address and provided a few words of wisdom and encouraged his fellow students by recognizing the good inside of all of them.

“I have seen your light, every single one of you,” Drake Dunning said. “Not just in the classroom, but in conversations, in quiet acts of courage, in moments where you didn’t think anyone was watching but they were and you made a difference.”

Lorna Davis, Tammie Johnson and Betsy Merrifield performed a special rendition of “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss before sharing a breakdown of the class, their plans for the future and their scholarships. The Cornerstone Christian School class of 2025 have completed 33 college courses with a new school record for total scholarship offerings in the amount of $3,683,216.

As a special surprise for the graduates, class of 2025 sponsor and school librarian Betsy Merrifield delivered a special reading of “Today I Will Fly!” by Mo Willems—a children’s book she used to read to them when they were kids. After the reading, the entire graduating class gave Merrifield an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Coach James Lee delivered the commencement address and reflected on the time he spent with the students—remembering the prayers they said together and the moments spent on the field.

Graduating seniors delivered roses to their parents and gave them hugs expressing their love and appreciation for their support during a heartfelt moment of reflection before the school presented diplomas. At the end of the graduation ceremony, the Cornerstone Christian School class of 2025 turned their tassels and threw their caps in the air in recognition of the end of an era and in celebration of the start of a new one.

“They are an awesome class,” said Margaret Pickett, CCS school director. “We’re going to miss them but we’re very excited about seeing what they’re going to do in their lives and they’re going to change the world.”

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