Published: June 24, 2008 11:33 am      

CEREMONY: Baccalaureate attracts Albion grads

ALBION — The First Presbyterian Church filled with the teachers, administrators and family members at the annual Baccalaureate Sunday evening.

Each have had a special role in helping this year’s graduating class find success. Approximately 75 Albion High School graduates dressed in their cap and gowns — white for girls, purple for boys — to participate in the unique ceremony that dates back to the early 20th century.

The clergy from the area’s local churches, members of the Albion Ministerium, planned the ceremony, said Rev. Gary Saunders with the First Presbyterian Church. Special blessings and words of wisdom were bestowed on the graduates from Rev. Susan Boring of Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church, Rev. Karen Allamon of Barre Center Presbyterian Church, Rev. Jack Richardson of West Barre United Methodist Church and Rev. Richard Csizmar of Holy Family Parish.

Seniors Kristen Palmer and Rachele Penati, a foreign exchange student from Italy, performed the flute duet “Pachelbel Canon.” Student scripture readings were presented by 2008 Class President Camri Taylor, Rotary Interact President Rebekah Degnan, Calvin Smith, Megan O’Hearn, Tim LaLonde and Emily Kwiatkowski. The Senior Chorus performed “The Parting Blessing,” directed by teacher Gary Simboli, and senior Latisha Harp quieted the sanctuary with her solo, “Precious Lord.”

Seniors Dave Hollenbeck, Calvin Smith and Aaron Miller played “Interlude” with members of the Brass Ensemble.

“Together you can make a great difference,” Csizmar told them, encouraging them to be a light to one another.

Attendees at the outdoor reception afterwards included brothers Moises and Miguel Chavez, both of whom will graduate Friday evening. Moises Chavez, this year’s salutatorian, is a junior graduating a year early. He plans to attend Tampa University for biology and his older brother Miguel plans to attend SUNY Buffalo for pre-veterinary science.

Friends Latisha Harp, Marcus Taylor, Camri Taylor and Kenyetta Oliver posed for a photograph in front of the church surrounded by proud parents.

Harp will attend SUNY Brockport for psychology and Oliver will attend Medaille College for criminal justice.

Class President since the eighth grade, Camri Taylor has earned her CNA certification through the Niagara-Orleans BOCES program last week. She has been accepted at the University of Rochester and plans to become a doctor. She was also president of her BOCES class and the school’s Black History Club, and a four-year member of the basketball, track and cheerleading teams, she said.

Her fellow class officers are Vice President Stacy Daniels, Secretary Kailey Winans and Treasurer Johanna Dibley.

The graduating class celebrated its formal prom at Hickory Ridge Golf & Country Club in Holley on June 13. Last Friday, they attended Albion’s Class night, where the senior awards and scholarships were given out.

“I’m going to miss being around everybody. I have a lot of friends,” said Latisha Harp. “We’re like family.”

The Baccalaureate is a time for the community to focus on the graduates and this “extraordinary moment in their lives,” Saunders said. It is a tradition that dwindled long ago in many of the county’s neighboring communities.

Efforts by the local clergy, Saunders included, about 20 to 25 years ago revived the tradition in Albion, he said. Approximately 375 people attended the event Sunday.

It was fortunate, also, that the community was able to enjoy the church’s recently renovated ceiling.

“The students were so dialed in,” Saunders said. “We just love having the community come in and be able to enjoy this.”

Contact reporter Nicole Coleman at 798-1400, ext. 8227.