Published: May 17, 2008 12:35 am            

OBA revisits the past, readies for tomorrow

The 39 members of Oklahoma Bible Academy’s class of 2008 reminisced about their high school experiences at Friday’s commencement.

However, the graduates were encouraged to instead focus on strengthening themselves for challenges that await in the future.

Truman Barnes, who received Teacher of the Year honors at the ceremony, encouraged the graduates to not only be themselves but to strive to strengthen themselves each day.

“Be better tomorrow than you were today,” he said.

Before closing the graduation, first-year headmaster Paul MacDonald told the graduates not to conform to the ways of the world but instead to stand firm in the face of opposition.

The chairs that filled OBA’s auditorium and spilled into the commons area weren’t enough to seat a robust crowd, which watched as the members of the class of 2008 received their diplomas.

Seven graduates received valedictorian honors: Spenser Olson, Shannon Heath, Taylor Stair, Allyson Doane, Neal Mooers, Rachel Brainard and Kristen Koepping. Catherine Shriner earned salutatorian honors.

OBA gives honors based on academic benchmarks, not class standing.

In order to become a valedictorian, an OBA student must take at least five advanced courses, earn at least a 27 on his or her ACT test and hold at least a 3.92 cumulative grade point average. To qualify to become a salutatorian, a student must take five advanced courses, have at least a 25 on his or her ACT and at least a 3.85 cumulative gpa.

In addition, OBA gives out a unique set of awards, which recognize special Christian qualities in their recipients.

Daniel Cummins re-ceived the Daniel Award, designed to reward a student for his or her leadership abilities.

The Solomon Award, which recognizes a student who displays wisdom and an ability to understand God’s calling in his or her life, was given to Michaela Stam.

Dan Thomas received the Timothy Award, given to a student who displays a servant’s heart. Mooers was given the Job award, which honors a student who has battled through adversity.

Before diplomas were handed out, a slideshow featuring various photographs of each graduate humored the crowd.

The ceremony ended with a singing of the OBA alma mater. The graduates tossed their caps in the air on the song’s last lyric: “Woosh!”