Whitefield Academy graduated its 18th class of superlative students at The Church of the Apostles in Buckhead on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Led by Headmaster Dr. Kevin Bracher, Upper School Principal Jason Van Bemmel and Board Chair Jason Bilotti, 60 capped and gowned graduates were handed their diplomas and matriculated to 33 different colleges and universities in 13 states. With grants and scholarships awarded in academics, arts and athletics, the average scholarship amount for each student was over $128,000 totaling $7.7 million as a class – a scholarship record for Whitefield Academy.
The commencement exercises featured keynote speaker Don Ford, president of KLIFE Ministries, who encouraged students to “never stop learning and to continue to grow each of their relationships with the Lord.”
Ford asked students two profound questions. “Where are you going and are you all in?” He then reminded the audience that, “God calls us to walk with open hands, and for that reason, we have the power to be an unstoppable force.”
He also commended parents, grandparents, friends and Whitefield faculty for helping to shape a piece of the masterpiece that is each one of the graduating students, but also counseled the congregation that “the masterpiece is not yet done.”
Through his ministries, KLIFE and Afterdark, Ford has shared the gospel with more than 350,000 college students across the country.
Headmaster Kevin Bracher also spoke during the commencement address. “This class has attained the kind of extraordinary distinction in academics, arts, and athletics that would make any headmaster proud. Yet what is even more impressive and inspiring to me is the character they have displayed by serving others and giving God the glory for their achievements, rather than focusing on themselves.”
The class of 2015 included 33 National Honor Society members, a Georgia Tech Presidential Scholar, and nearly 20 percent of the class committing to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Congratulations, Class of 2015!
