Last Saturday, Emmanuel Christian School hosted its 35th commencement ceremony. Among those graduating was my middle daughter, Bethany. It's always an honor to participate in graduation as the President of ECS, but even more special to have a part in my daughter's graduation; and to have her grandparents, aunts, and uncle present.
This year, we had a tremendous group of graduates, of which 100% plan to attend colleges in the fall including College of Charleston, Liberty University, Pensacola Christian College, Florence-Darlington Tech, USC, and Clemson. Some wonder if our students are prepared for life when they leave ECS... you decide. ECS alumni are now pastors, missionaries, teachers, college professors, cardiologists, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, NICU nurses, dentists, hygienists, mental health professionals, journalists, forestry managers, business owners, and more. Some are currently training to be Christian workers, doctors, anesthetists, and lawyers. A local attorney hired an ECS student last summer and was so impressed that he enrolled his son at ECS. Another ECS alumnus recently graduated in the top 10 of her class of nearly 2,000 at Clemson! We are VERY proud of our students and alumni.
We have many new and exciting things in store for 2010-2011 at ECS. Our enrollment is strong, our future is bright, and we remain focused on teaching the mind and training the heart. We've hired a new Director of Development, attained Licensed status for our preschool, and will be implementing the Accelerated Reader program. We're doing some summer renovations and already planning for another exciting years.
In closing, I remind you again that ECS is a Christian School, not a private school. Our academics are now very strong as evidenced by our SAT scores being only 4 points behind the top-rated magnet school in our area; so in 2010-2011 much more emphasis will be placed on spiritual development and the making of disciples. Please continue to pray for our faculty and students.
