By: JULIE PEAK
Burlington County Times

Class size: 31

Valedictorian: Danielle Sanders

Salutatorian: Kyle Marrero

BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP - As the 31 seniors at Life Center Academy walked down a staircase and across the stage, their graduation photos and baby pictures were projected onto a screen to be enjoyed by a packed audience of family and friends.

"Who says we have to be common blood to be a family?" salutatorian Kyle Marrero asked Friday night.

The closeness of the small graduating class was apparent in both the slideshow of photographs from the class' recent mission trip to Venezuela and valedictorian Danielle Sanders' tearful and heartfelt speech.

"You are some of the best people who have walked into my life," Sanders said, with tears in her eyes. "You all have the potential to do something amazing. I ask you never to forget who you are or where you've come from."

"The past is a part of us. It neither should dictate our present nor our future," Sanders continued. "We are not the same as we were in ninth grade. Our beliefs, our morals and our attitudes have matured."

Seven scholarships were given to students. Sanders, who will attend Xavier University, received the Harry Pollock Scholarship, which has been given to Life Center's valedictorian for the past 33 years.

The Christian school's commencement ceremony also consisted of an opening video, two vocal duets performed by four of the graduates, and a speech by Headmaster Ronald Graban. In addition, 21 eighth-graders received diplomas.

Salutatorian Kyle Marrero challenged his fellow classmates to "endure" and to not forget the work ethic they learned at school.

"At the start of each day, we are given exactly 86,400 seconds; 1,440 minutes; and 24 hours," said Marrero, who will attend Liberty University. "If there is one thing no one can take from us, it's our time. What will you do with your time?"

The Rev. Randy Bercaw, who was the only person in his graduating class from Life Center Academy 33 years ago, gave a moving speech using a display of golf balls, pebbles, sand and water in a vase. The vase represented one's life and the inside components represented important things one can fill his or her life with.

"Remember to set your priorities," Bercaw said. "Life is a series of stages and the next four to eight years will determine what your entire future will be like."

Although the 31 graduates - a few have been in class together since kindergarten - now have to separate, they departed with inseparable bonds and big dreams.

"Yes, we are on our way to a better tomorrow," Sanders said.

Burlngton County Graduations