Graduation 2025
By Head of School Michael Dewey
With the end of another school year comes the celebration of our second graduating class. This year, 40 amazing students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, turning their tassels and officially becoming high school graduates. We have had the honor and privilege of seeing these young women and men grow up over the past few years, and we could not be prouder of what they have become. All 40 of them have exceeded our expectations, and each one of them has truly helped us build this school, establish a culture, and set a standard of excellence. Both they and their families are leaving a lasting legacy that will be a blessing for future generations of Eagles. While they will be missed greatly, we send these brothers and sisters in Christ out into this world confident that they are securely in the hands of God. My message to them at graduation culminated in one of my favorite blessings from scripture, which is also a promise to all those who are in Christ: “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24, 25).
When we talk about raising up the next generation of Christian leaders who will impact the world for Christ, I can honestly say that these 40 graduates represent a mission accomplished.
Words of Advice
There is no better way to illustrate this than by allowing you to “see for yourself” just what they have become. At our annual Baccalaureate Prayer Breakfast, I asked each one of them to reflect upon what advice they would pass along to current and future students of ECS. Here are just a few of the anonymous messages they wrote down:
“My best advice would be that it is OK to mess up. I know that it’s easy to hang our heads when we mess up or things don’t go our way. But these situations/experiences are really all just opportunities to learn and grow. If you can learn to grow from the mistakes and challenges, life will come easy, and you will be better for it! (James 1:2-4)”
“Don't ever say ‘I can’t do this.’ If you put your mind to it, you will achieve all your dreams. Anything is possible with the Lord by your side. Lean on Him and He will give you strength.”
“I would encourage you to spend your time doing what builds up others and yourself in knowledge, strength, joy, etc. Many things are not directly called sins in the Bible, but often the things we spend the most time on and prioritize the most are not the most beneficial to ourselves and others. Instead, use the discernment given by the Holy Spirit to use your time in ways that build up. 1 Corinthians 6:12 ‘All things are lawful for me, but not all things build up.’”
Talk about a lasting legacy! Class of 2025, boldly live out your faith, speak the truth in confidence, and keep your eyes fixed upon Christ. He is the author and finisher of your faith. He is with you always. His grace is sufficient, his strength is perfected in weakness, and he will complete the work that he has begun in you.
Commencement Speaker
Dr. David Vanderpoel, who served for 20 years at Trinity Christian School in Fairfax before retiring in 2023 as Head of School Emeritus, played an influential role in the founding of our school. Dr. Vanderpoel and his leadership team at Trinity provided advice, suggestions, and seemingly unlimited resources. For those of you who have been with us on this journey since the beginning, you may recall David speaking at several of the first interest meetings for Evergreen. His support, prayers, and many words of encouragement made him a fitting speaker for this group of seniors. He is a noted wordsmith and student of history who always provides listeners with a great deal to digest. I have included a copy of his entire message below, but I wanted to highlight his final challenge to the Class of 2025:
“It is at the fountain of his Word that you will come to know him, it is there that you will come to know the Father’s love for you in his incarnate son; it is at the fountain of Holy Scripture that you will come to know the one who thirsted upon a cross of shame so that you need never thirst; it is there that you will come to know his surpassing greatness and the wonder of all his works and ways…Class of 2025, there are only two views of reality—God’s and everyone else’s. You will provide neither salt nor light to your generation by thinking and living the same way it does. You have only this moment, sparkling like a star in your hand, and melting like a snowflake. Use it well, leave the broken cisterns of this world, come to the fountain, be where you were created and redeemed to be.”
Commencement Links
If you were unable to attend this year’s graduation ceremony, we invite you to view the commencement video, photo gallery, and read our guest speaker’s address to graduates.
Click here to view the video of the ceremony.
Click here to read Dr. Vanderpoel’s entire commencement speech.