Graduation Week at Redwood Christian Schools 2024
High School and Middle School photographers: Cathy Breslow with Brian Gross of BreslowImaging
Redwood Christian High School Class of 2024
Redwood Christian Schools celebrated graduations from high school, middle school, and kindergarten as well as 5th grade promotion the week of May 20. All four graduations were hosted by Redwood Chapel Community Church, the founding church of Redwood Christian Schools in 1970. At all four events, active military and veterans as well as all first responders were asked to stand and be recognized for their commitment to serve all of us.
One Thursday, May 23, 2024, Redwood Christian High School graduated fifty-one seniors at Redwood Chapel Community Church in Castro Valley. Dr. Al Hearne II, Superintendent, High School Principal Justin Redemer, Middle School Principal Dr. Albert Castaneda, and Director of RCS Global Dr. Evan Barnhart read the individual accomplishments of each graduate as well as their hopes and career goals while Board Members Brian Beck, Charles Marin, April Nunez, and Steve Swanson presented the diplomas.
The Commencement Speakers were Valedictorians Jake Thiry and Benjamin Leonard. The Star-Spangled Banner was performed by All-State Honor Jazz Band First Trumpet Jacob Cook, Class of 2025. Senior Class President Sara Collier, greeted everyone with the Invocation and Welcome, and Exexutive Council President Cristiana Ramos, who will be attending the University of Boston on the “Posse Scholarship” for leadership and academic merit, a full-academic scholarship, closed the evening in prayer. Mr. Azeem Ward directed the RCHS Band in “Pomp and Circumstance” and the Recessional, and Mrs. Rachel Chow directed the Concert Choir in “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” and Class Verse Ephesians 2:10 was read by Caleb Busch, Senior Class Vice President.
Prior to the graduates being recognized individually, Superintendent Hearne reminded all present why high school graduation is the most important rite of passage in a teenagers life: “High School Graduation marks a milestone in life and is an important rite of passage as it is the product of many conscious and unconscious choices and decisions by the graduates. These milestones always represent times in our lives when we should look backward and tell ourselves that we have done the right thing, sometimes even when it wasn’t easy. These milestones also enable us to look forward to promises of good things to come.”
Twelve Graduates have been Continuous Students as since Kindergarten (also known as “Lifers”): Julia Marie Angotti, David Esteban Barquero, Lara Yerin Cha, Danielle Alexandra Lacy, Jack Taylor Leefers, Isaiah J. Macedo, Jonathan Lamon Murray, Chisom Eunice Nwebube, Cristiana Faith Ramos, Jackson Strange and Gideon Owen Warneke.
Three graduates are the children of Redwood Christian High School Alumni: Keegan Alexander Hubbard (Bryan Hubbard, 1996), Jace Allen Scarson (Angelina Ybarra-Scarson, 1993), and Jackson Daniel Strange (Jessica Gardner -Strange, 1999).
Superintendent Hearne stated: “Our 48th high school graduation was a celebration of for everyone present as families celebrated their graduates as well as their graduates classmates! The goals of our graduates include ministry, medicine, law, military, law enforcement, business, education as well as so many other careers serving others. The impact these graduates will have on the world is unlimited as they have personal goals that will stretch them. They have met every challenge with the commitment necessary and are now ready academically and spiritually for their next challenge. The entire Redwood Christian Schools community is very proud of each one of them.”
Redwood Christian Middle School Graduation
High School and Middle School photographers: Cathy Breslow with Brian Gross of BreslowImaging
Class of 2024 Redwood Christian Middle School thumbs up
On May 21, 2024, Redwood Christian Middle School graduated sixty-six students. Dr. Al Hearne II, Superintendent, and Dr. Albert Castaneda, Middle School Principal, read the graduates names while Board Members Maxine Chen-Vega and Brian Beck presented the diplomas.
The Commencement Challenge was presented by Victory Outreach Pastor Esteban Pineda. Student Speakers were Stephen Driggers and Abigail Kendricks. The Star-Spangled Banner was performed by All-State Honor Jazz Band First Trumpet Jacob Cook, Class of 2025. Caleb Redemer greeted everyone and Addison Bruce opened in prayer, Melodie Chock read Class Verse Colossians 3:1-4 and Elijah Nilooban closed in prayer. Mr. Azeem Ward directed the RCS Middle School High School Band in “Pomp and Circumstance” and the Recessional, and Mrs. Rachel Chow directed the Middle School Choir in “For Good.”
Redwood Christian School Fifth Grade Promotion
5th Grade Promotion photographer: Deborah Fosdahl
Graduates with teacher
On May 20, 2024, the Redwood Christian School community celebrated Fifth Grade Promotion in the morning and Kindergarten Graduation in the evening! Superintendent Hearne presided over both events with Redwood Christian Elementary Principal Megan Sinisi handling the role of Master of Ceremonies over both events.
The Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony opened with a welcome from Principal Sinisi following by the Presentation of Colors by Joshua Redemer, Elijan Andualem and Gabriella Isshiki followed by Graydon Cortez leading the Pledge to the American Flag, Lianna Triplett leading the pledge to the Christian Flag and Taylor Mar leading the pledge to the Bible and Paxton Ottinger opening in prayer. Mrs. Beverly Mayne, Director, led the Royal Choir in “Adoramus Te” and “God Is,” written by Mrs. Mayne and Mrs. Esther Chan. The promotion speaker was Pastor James Delgado of Fountain Church in Pleasanton, whose daughters attend Redwood Christian Schools.
Redwood Christian School Kindergarten Graduation
Kindergarten graduation photographer: Shannon Ferrer
Kindergarten Graduates with teachers
Kindergarten Graduation has been an evening event from its first kindergarten graduation in 1971! The event included a processional of the students, Pledges and Prayer, Doctrinal Drills, reciting from memory Psalm 23, students singing “Thank You,” and a media presentation. Kindergarten Teachers Mrs. Cheryl Bicker, Mrs. Monica Hubbard and Mrs. Heather Miller announced individual awards as the students received their Kindergarten Diplomas from Mr. Charles Marin, RCS Board Member. Mrs. Bicker, who is retiring, was recognized for her twenty-nine years teaching kindergarten at RCS.
The week was indeed a busy one for the entire Redwood Christian Schools community!
