This fall, the class of 2018 is letting their light shine at 25 different colleges and universities, in various workplaces, and in service assignments around the globe. Susan Melendez helped to launch the cohort onto their journey beyond EMS during last spring’s graduation weekend when she challenged them with Jesus’ call to “let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16).
The seniors had selected their former sixth grade teacher to speak in their last chapel service at EMHS. Mrs. Melendez was a new teacher at EMS in the fall of 2011 when the seniors entered her classroom, so they shared a special bond.
Mrs. Melendez encouraged the seniors to have faith in God to lead them, to use their gifts and talents to glorify the Lord, and to let their lights shine brightly. The theme carried throughout the weekend as baccalaureate and commencement speakers challenged graduates to better humanity and build up God’s kingdom. In their class song, the graduates from the 100th EMS class declared that they would serve the Lord with all their hearts. In their class Scripture, they affirmed that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
