Local graduating seniors put faith in the future at annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service
Many graduating seniors from La Cañada High School attend the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for high school graduates at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association.
Words of inspiration and encouragement were offered up to several local graduating high school seniors Tuesday night when the 10th annual Interfaith Baccalaureate Service was held in a local church.
“Consider the pace at which you approach life,” keynote speaker Sally Spangler cautioned the teens, most of whom were clad in the caps and gowns they’ll wear Friday night to the La Cañada High School commencement exercises. Spangler, who retired as a counselor at the school and now operates her own college guidance service, centered her message on the importance of developing self-trust.
The event, held at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, was sponsored by the LCF Interfaith Ministerial Assn., which hosted a reception for the seniors, their families and community supporters afterward.
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La Cañada High School senior Julia Harbolt, 17, attending Azusa Pacific University in the fall, smiles as the graduates are being organized at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Crescenta Valley graduating senior Becca Mckim, 18, stands alone in light blue surround by La Cañada High School seniors at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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La Cañada High School graduating senior Rob Lovelace, 18, attending Washington Lee University in the fall, leads graduates into the church at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Graduating seniors process into the church at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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The baccalaureate is attended mostly by graduating seniors from La Cañada High School at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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La Cañada High School prinicpal Ian McFeat, says opening remarks at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Graduating seniors enter the church at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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La Cañada High School graduating senior Rob Lovelace, 18, attending Washington Lee University in the fall, leans his head back with his tassel spread across his face, at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Audience in attendance at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Representing the Hebrew Scriptures, Jesse Landesman recites a scripture reading at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Representing the Christian Scriptures, Jack Jones recites a scripture reading at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Representing the Book of Mormon, Kate Ward recites a scripture reading at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Representing the Holy Quran, St. Francis senior Mostafa El-Haragi, 18, recites a scripture reading at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Director Jeff Bookey conducts the La Cañada High School Chamber Singers as they sing “Grace Before Sleep” at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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La Cañada High School Chamber Singers sing “Grace Before Sleep” at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Sally Spangler gives the keynote address to graduating seniors at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Graduating seniors listen to Sally Spangler as she gives the keynote address at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Mica Bernhard gives a testimony to her Jewish faith at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Mirna Elaasar gives a testimony to her Islamic faith at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Julia Harbolt gives a testimony to her Christian faith at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Manasseh Matossian gives a testimony to his Catholic faith at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Riley Owen gives a testimony for his Mormon faith at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Director Jeff Bookey conducts the La Cañada High School Chamber Singers as they sing “Grace Before Sleep” at the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
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Graduating seniors recess from the sanctuary at the conclusion of the annual interfaith baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The service was sponsored by the La Cañada Flintridge Interfaith Ministerial Association. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)
In his opening remarks LCHS Principal Ian McFeat, told the teens they should not only look to their futures, but to their upbringings. He said they must do what they can to “give back” to the world. The principal urged them to keep in mind that of utmost importance is “what kind of person you become, not what kind of bankroll you will grow.”
Several of the graduating seniors read scriptures and gave testimonies to their respective faith journeys. They included Jesse Landesman, Jack Jones, Kate Ward, Mica Bernhard, Mirna Elaasar, Julie Harbolt, Manasseh Matossian and Riley Owen.
Nasser Karam, PhD., a member of the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge, gave the closing prayer, ending it with words of advice. “Go make a difference in the world,” he said with a broad smile.
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Upcoming graduation ceremonies
La Cañada High School, Friday, May 27, 6:30 p.m., Spartan Field
St. Francis High School, Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m., campus courtyard
Carol Cormaci is executive editor of Times Community News’ Daily Pilot in Orange County and pens the TimesOC newsletter. She is a native Southern Californian and a proud UCLA Bruin. She previously served as managing editor of three former Times Community News publications: the Glendale News-Press, Burbank Leader and La Cañada Valley Sun.
