Each year, the faculty selects a member of the Senior Class to deliver the graduation address. Below, read Lexie Beaumont's graduation speech and charge to the graduating class of 2026.

Good evening.

Many of you know that I love books, so of course, I found a way to incorporate that into my speech. If this year were transcribed into a book, with the six of us as main characters, it would certainly be entertaining, but I don’t think its focus would be on how much fun we’ve had together. I think it would be a love story, written by our Creator, about how the love of those around us has shaped our characters, our hearts, and our futures.

In one of our conversations this year, Mrs. Goodman reminded us that love is not a feeling, but an action. It means choosing to continue showing up in love for those around you when it doesn’t benefit you. And that is exactly what the faculty, staff, teachers, parents, and students at Faith Christian School have done. Everyone here in this room has invested in our lives, and we are so, so thankful for all of the support you have given us over the years.

I especially want to thank our teachers, who have acted like the publishers in our story, preparing us for the real world. I’ve never experienced a culture quite like the one at Faith, where teachers and students can pray with and for each other; where school is not just a place for academics, but a place to practice fellowship; and where grades are not what teachers know their students for. Our teachers could have taken the easy route this year. They could have simply taught their lessons and continued on with their lives. But in the small and the large things, our teachers have chosen to love us. Sometimes it’s as simple as holding a small conversation after class or extending a deadline when we’re stressed, but even in these moments, our teachers are loving us for who we are outside the classroom. Other times, they make huge sacrifices. One teacher has sacrificed hours of his free time to help a couple of anxious calculus students practice for their tests. Another has bought and prepared birthday supplies and cards for every student she teaches. A third instilled the value of the Gospel and of nature in our hearts. For these teachers and the rest, we see all that you have done for us, and we cannot thank you enough. Thank you for choosing selflessness, for sharing your faith with all of us, and for loving us as Christ loves. I know I speak for all of us when I say that you all are our role models in both faith and action, and that we will look up to you for the rest of our lives.

While the people behind the story are important, there must also be supporting characters that help the protagonists along their journey. In our story, our parents have been these people. To our parents, thank you for doing so much to bless this year, when your efforts can often go unrecognized. Thank you for choosing to invest in our futures by placing us in an environment where we can worship God freely. And thank you for loving us through our highs and lows. Also, there can’t be a story without the main characters, so I want to offer a few remarks to my classmates.

Matthew, one of the biggest things I can remember about you this year is your generosity. On multiple occasions, you treated your kindergarten buddies and us to special gifts without a single complaint. My prayer for you is that God will use your passion for sports and your generosity to open up opportunities and that people will be so moved by those qualities that they will see the love of Christ in you. My charge to you, Matthew, is that you will be fearless in your faith. I know that you have good prayer and Bible study habits, but I also know that you have the potential to be a powerful leader in the faith if you use your voice for God’s glory.

Owen, you are so good at connecting with people. I remember at the Epic Pasta Dinner at the start of this year, you talked about wanting a senior class in which we love those around us and always build others up. And I’ve seen you do this over and over again, as you include younger students in activities and strive to make everyone feel welcome. I know that you love the Lord deeply, and I pray that God will use this love and your ability to connect with others to draw people closer to Him. My charge to you is that you will not let others' opinions dictate your life, but that you will be steadfast in your identity in Christ.

Madison, as my fellow tenderhearted woman, we have cried a lot together this year – some hard tears, and some happy tears. But in each of these moments, you have always opened up your heart fully to me and allowed me to see your character. I pray that as you go off to Roanoke College, God will use your tender heart and your vulnerability to bless you with close, godly friendships. My charge to you is that, not if, but when other people disappoint you, you will remember that God’s love is so much greater than any friendship or relationship could ever be, and that you are always loved by Him.

Ryan, I don’t think there was a time this year when you weren’t serving. You’re always asking to help carry people’s bags, offering to give up your seat, or cooking quesadilla meals for the class in the commons. My prayer for you is that God will use your heart for service to draw other people to Christ. On the other hand, my charge to you is that you protect your heart and your time in college. People will try to take advantage of your kindness, so don’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

Alexis, on numerous occasions, you have stood up for me. When I was too scared to stand up for myself, you were always there to defend me. My prayer for you is that God will use your protectiveness and fierce loyalty in your future relationships, that you will be a constant in others’ lives as you have been in mine. I charge you to remember your identity in Christ and not let others around you pressure you into changing who you are.

I mentioned earlier that the story of this year would be a love story, but not in the typical sense. I also believe that this story has not been shaped only by the love of those around us, but by the love of God. Because what would a story be without its author? And who are we without the one who created us?

There is something so deeply special about being seen, known, and loved when someone knows your heart, your actions, and your flaws, and still chooses to love you. What I want you to take away from this year and this moment is not just that God is our Creator, but that God lovingly created you into who you are. God is drawing your story. From before you were born to where you are sitting now, God has known you and chooses to love you. Your Heavenly Father delights in you, Matthew, Owen, Madison, Ryan, and Alexis.

In the coming months, you are going to be tested. You’ll no longer be surrounded by people who are so filled with the love of Christ and who will invest in you so deeply. You have to choose to love others each and every day, to get up on Sunday morning for church, to pray and spend time with the Lord, and to choose God’s will over your own. But I know that all of you can and have done that. Because no matter what hurtful things people say to you or how much your faith is tested, every one of you is deeply loved by God. And no other thing on this planet could ever surpass this love of God. Remember your identity in Him. Remember that he created you. And remember that this story is a part of God’s greater plan to bring us back to Him. Truly, it has been a delight to grow up with the five of you, to watch you grow in your faith and to develop my own, and to see you blossom into the people God wants you to be. I am so, so proud of you all, and I know that God is planning wonderful things in your lives. If you don’t mind, I’d love to end with a prayer for this coming year.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you so much for this year that you have blessed us with, for all the fun times, and for every person in this room tonight. I pray that as Matthew, Owen, Madison, Ryan, Alexis, and I embark on this next chapter, you would be with us every step of the way. Grant us godly communities that grow us closer to you. And please continue to bless this school and its teachers,

faculty, and staff as they raise future generations of believers. We love you, and we thank you, Lord. Amen.