Commencement 2026
On Sunday evening, the Seniors at TC Christian completed the formalities of graduation and walked across the stage to receive their diplomas to the cheers of assembled families and friends. A special video, narrated by various faculty members, introduced each graduate, offering a touching glimpse into their unique journeys at TC Christian. It was a truly special evening with several highlights including:
Brant Blodgett, Valedictorian at TC Christian, who expressed deep gratitude for his time at the school, crediting the close-knit community of friends, teachers, and classmates for making it special. He described his friends as “like siblings,” praised his teachers for their hard work, spiritual passion, and genuine care – pushing students to excel “not only academically, but also spiritually”, and reflected warmly on years of shared memories with the Class of 2026 since second grade. Brant read a prayer from Colossians 1 over his classmates, asking that they “may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work.” Blodgett urged the class to cherish their final summer, slow down, enjoy the small things, lean on the many people who love and support them, and “turn to God in everything” as they face upcoming changes and challenges.
Lydia Tebben, Salutatorian at TC Christian, encouraged her classmates to make their faith their own as they transition into the next stage of life. She noted that the senior class is leaving the familiar “Christian bubble” of family, church, and private Christian school, to an environment where “comfort is taken away” and daily surroundings are changing, creating uncertainty about the future. Lydia explained that this shift, while challenging, provides an opportunity to depend more deeply on God: “because comfort is being taken away… I’m going to depend on God.” She emphasized the importance of making wise choices – pursuing passions, meeting new people, and especially surrounding oneself with those who encourage faith rather than become “stumbling blocks.” She urged the Class of 2026 to use discernment in their decisions, build upon their strong Christian foundation, and keep Christ at the center. Tebben closed by quoting Colossians 2:6-7: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him and strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Pastor Richie Henson, the keynote speaker at commencement, acknowledged that graduates receive abundant well-meaning advice about success but distilled the common wisdom into three words: passion, pursuit, and hard work. He described passion as the intense emotional drive toward something, pursuit as the active chase that follows, and hard work as the essential fuel required to achieve goals. While affirming that these elements are important for reaching dreams, Henson warned that chasing personal accomplishments should not be life’s ultimate purpose. He urged the Class of 2026 to focus instead on the richness of the human experience as described by God, becoming people of genuine fruitfulness and love through humble submission to the Holy Spirit. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal,” he quoted from 1 Corinthians 13. Henson encouraged the graduates to seize opportunities to love God and others, invest in family and relationships, and center their passions, pursuits, and hard work on becoming people of love rather than worldly success. He closed by congratulating them on their accomplishments and wishing God’s blessing on their future.
The ceremony culminated with TCCS Board Chair, Kelli Sutphen, and MS/HS Principal, Jen Karczewski, presenting diplomas, while class advisor, Amanda Keene, gifted each graduate a personalized Bible with an encouraging verse.