Christ Chapel Academy holds first high school graduation

One couldn't help but walk away from Christ Chapel Academy's first-ever high school graduation with a lump in the throat and a tear in the eye.

Four girls and three boys walked across the auditorium floor to receive their diplomas Friday night in blue and white robes and caps, fulfilling the vision of elementary school principal Debbie Wolf and senior pastor Bill Roberts.

Four years ago, the school was only kindergarten through eighth grade. Consequently, graduating senior Ashley Gaston had to transfer to Evangel for her freshman and sophomore years after spending the previous five years at the Dale City school.

It just wasn't the same, said Gaston.

But after much deliberation, the academy finally went forward with the creation of the high school two years ago and students like Gaston came back to the fold.

"It's something about the people here," said Gaston. "You get this neat feeling, it's like this one big family. I am an only child, so it's like everyone's my sibling."

Popular graduating senior Michael Sarkis expressed similar sentiments. Sarkis said the faculty—especially Wolf—had a profound effect on him, as his parents went through a divorce when he was in fourth grade.

"It's tough to leave this place," said Sarkis, who will be enrolling at George Mason University next year to study medicine. "It's nice to grab this diploma, but in these next few days I am going to realize what this place really does mean to me."

As each graduate crossed the stage to receive their diploma, the Rev. Paul Miklich bragged to the audience like a proud parent, citing each of their high school highlights and future ambitions.

Danielle Beard wants to work with at-risk kids as a child psychologist and will be attending Penn State University at Pittsburgh. Natasha Davis will be attending Howard University and is interested in photography.

Gaston hasn't chosen a college yet but was awarded a scholarship by her church, First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, and was the captain of the cheerleading and soccer teams.

Christopher Hottle was highlighted for his love of soccer and plans to pursue a career in horticulture. And valedictorian Brandon Slone will be attending Liberty University and hopes to become an FBI agent one day.

At the start of the ceremony, the students and audience watched a video montage that documented each graduate's life in pictures. Later, Slone gave a beautiful speech about how important both God and people are in one's life, whether they be a teacher, a parent or a friend.

But perhaps the most touching part of the ceremony came from Wolf as she said goodbye to the students she had come to know for the past decade-plus.

She recounted the story "The Runaway Bunny" by Margaret Wise Brown, a tale of the unconditional love a mother bunny has for her offspring.

"God bless you all," said Wolf, who choked back tears at the end of her talk.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.