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Dayspring Christian Academy Stages Commencement Exercises

Dayspring Christian Academy of Attleboro graduated 11 eighth-graders June 4 during its annual commencement exercises at the South Attleboro Assembly of God. The Class of 2010, from left, is as follows:  1^st row, Roberto Rodrigues, Kearsten Lambert, Delia Calderon, Nicolette Nicholas and Alysha Cummings; and 2^nd row, Keyshawn Ramos, Brandon Clark, Joseph Deiratani, Jonathan Maaz, Susie Udall and Tamara Russell. (Photo courtesy of Dayspring Christian Academy)

ATTLEBORO – In uplifting and dignified fashion, Dayspring Christian Academy of Attleboro formally bid farewell Friday, June 4, to its Class of 2010 and presented diplomas during its annual commencement exercises to 11 eighth-graders who had comprised “a very special class.”

            In the adjacent South Attleboro Assembly of God and in front of a large crowd of parents, relatives, faculty and friends, the 11 latest DCA graduates were showered with praise, commendations and prayers as they concluded their academic careers at the school and prepared to embark on the next stage of their life journeys.

            “This is a very special group of young people and we will miss them dearly,” said DCA Administrator Frank Rydwansky. “They are a very talented group and they blossomed here at Dayspring as they developed the gifts that God gave to them.”

            DCA’s Class of 2010 includes Delia Calderon, Brandon Clark, Alysha Cummings, Joseph Deiratani, Kearsten Lambert, Jonathan Maaz, Nicolette Nicholas, Keyshawn Ramos, Roberto Rodrigues, Tamara Russell and Susanne Udall.

            Rydwansky recited a litany of individual and group achievements produced by the graduating class, stressing its academic successes.

            “On this year’s Stanford Achievement Test, our eighth-graders tested almost beyond the high school-level on national averages,” Rydwansky said. “They are truly an exceptional group of young people.”

            Valedictorian Brandon Clark thanked his parents and teachers for their contributions in the past, but reserved special plaudits for his classmates.

            “I know all of you as well as I know myself and no two days have ever been the same with you around,” he said. “We learned to do many things together at this special school and learned how to unlock our potential.”

            Salutatorian Delia Calderon likewise thanked her parents and teachers and shared precious memories of her classmates during the past decade.

            “We laughed and cried and learned together here,” she said. “I thank God for the times I had with these people and I will always miss them.”

            Guest speaker Emily Gallo, a fifth-grade teacher at DCA for the past four years, offered contemplation and assurance to the graduates.

            “This class was the first I taught here at Dayspring and I will always remember them as being respectful and kind, and anxious to learn,” Ms. Gallo said. “I will always treasure the special year of my life I spent with them.”

            Ms. Gallo also offered words of advice to the graduates.

            “Always enjoy being you and cultivate the capabilities God has given you,” she said. “My prayer for you is that you will never be afraid to step outside the box and become what God has in store for you.”

            Diplomas were distributed by Mr. Rydwansky, Robert Lavallee (DCA’s Spiritual Life Director), David Milley (chairman of the DCA School Committee) and Pastor Ronald Squibb of the South Attleboro Assembly of God.

            Graduation ceremonies included music, poetry, pledges, prayers, flower-pinning and presentations of special awards. A video of major events of the past school year produced by graduate Alysha Cummings was played.