THOMASVILLE - When Rev. Glenn L. Deaver Jr. addressed the graduating senior class of Brookwood School, he said, "The world needs innovative thinkers, who are disciplined in their approach, creative in their reason, while being anchored in their morals and values."
Deaver's daughter, Hannah Deaver, was among the seniors in the audience. She had introduced her dad, who is pastor of The River Church, to the congregation gathered in the First Presbyterian Church during the traditional Baccalaureate Service on April 29.
"The world needs people who have not only the discernment to see the problems, but the power and courage to do something about them," said Glenn Deaver. "The world has seen its fair share of educated men and women who had glowing ideas, yet who lacked any real power to import the leadership and resolutions necessary to bring about positive change."
He reminded the seniors: "Brookwood School, your soon-to-be alma mater, states upon its seal that its purpose is to impart and operate with the characteristics of wisdom, honor, achievement and citizenship. These attributes are foundational."
The college prep school's mission statement is "to develop the whole person academically, physically, spiritually and socially," he reminded the audience.
"Such are the components of the your foundation upon which you will build."
As the 35 seniors are about to graduate, Deaver said they are facing the completion of their foundation as they move to the next phase of building their lives.
"It is my prayer that you will not be as those who have gone before who were steeped in much word, and lacked much in deed," the minister said. "I pray that you will be not hearers only of the Word, but doers of it as mentioned in James 1:22, for therin you will remember the foundational teachings that you have received and by them you will be blessed in all that you do."
According to Brookwood tradition, some of the honor graduates participated in the formal service.
Chris Alexander offered the invocation and led the Lord's Prayer, Leigh Stauffer read from the Old Testament and Chase Tenewitz read from the New Testament, Rand Pope sang a solo and Taylor Bragg gave the benediction.
The Marshals who directed the processional and recessional for the senior class and who will play similar roles in commencement on May 19, are the four members of the current Brookwood junior class who have maintained the highest GPAs: Olivia Howell, Rand Malone, Peyton Patterson and Carter Reed.
Brookwood Headmaster Mike Notaro presided and led the seniors in a responsive reading.
Pictured above, Rev. Glenn Deaver addresses the Brookwood seniors and their families and guests at baccalaureate.
Honor students participating in baccalaureate are L-R Front: Hannah Deaver, Leigh Stauffer, Back: Chase Tenewitz, Taylor Bragg, Chris Alexander and Rand Pope.
Carter Reed, Olivia Howell, Peyton Patterson and Rand Malone serve as marshals from Brookwood's junior class.
