Commencement 2025
On June 7, TC Christian’s Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025 unfolded at East Bay Calvary Church. It was a celebration filled with joy and anticipation and thoroughly enjoyed by family and friends. A special video, narrated by various faculty members, introduced each graduate, offering a touching glimpse into their unique journeys at TC Christian.
The ceremony featured speeches by Valedictorians Elijah Bauer and Meghan Polzien, alongside Salutatorian McKenna Gelinas, who stepped in at the last moment for an ailing Valedictorian, Hattie Leggett. Elijah spoke passionately about living with purpose, emphasizing how TCCS equipped graduates to embrace an abundant life through Christ, inspiring others with their actions. Meghan highlighted the power of laughter, recounting how shared joy bonded the class through memories from elementary to high school, describing it as a healing “secret weapon” as vital as hard work. McKenna closed with reflections on love, noting how the love of Christ permeates TCCS, recalling the class’s bonding experience on the final night of their Belize mission trip, and affirming that love, a divine gift, is the foundation of everything.
The keynote address by Aric Woughter, TC Christian’s beloved retired PE teacher, deeply moved the audience. Aric shared his journey, including his ALS diagnosis, and how students rallied to support him, raising funds for an RV to enable travel. “God writes beautiful stories sometimes with hard chapters,” said Aric and he urged the graduates to seek affirmation through God, continue loving and supporting one another, and recognize that with God by their side, their potential is limitless.
The ceremony culminated with TCCS Board Chair Kelli Sutphen and Leadership Team representative Jen Karczewski presenting diplomas, while teachers Erica Boven and Nathan Weemhoff gifted each graduate a personalized Bible with an encouraging verse. TC Rick, the school’s “unofficial official” photographer, captured every moment, with his gallery freely available to download so everyone can relive the moment.