Excerpts from the Class Speakers

Karissa Riofrio (‘19) giving the Graduand Address during the morning Convocation ceremony.

The Art of Photography Dale Preston

Karissa Riofrio, BEd, ‘19

Post-graduate studies are different because something special happens when you are surrounded by people who are working passionately toward a common goal. The bar gets set high, you get pulled in by the group’s energy and then they push you forward and encourage you as you go on your way.

We spent long hours in tight quarters under high pressure and came out better and stronger. The truth is that it takes a special group of people to create that kind of outcome.

I think it can be said for every graduate today that our time at Crandall has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it. Many of the things we learned and carry with us now are not necessarily content related, but are life habits that will continue evolving as we move on into new jobs and projects. We had to begin learning how to balance life and school, to give our attention to what was going on, and to be present in the moment.

We learned to persevere – our Organizational Management students worked full-time jobs and then came here, after a full day, to work some more. Welcome by the way, this is what Crandall looks like during the day.

There were days when it would have been much easier to stay home, but we learned to work hard for things that matter to us. We learned to work in groups as teams. We learned to communicate and balance everyone’s talents and personalities in order to produce work we could all be proud of. We learned to calm our nerves and limit the shaking during presentations. We spent hours on projects and assignments and learned, no matter how hard it was, to take criticism on our work because that is how we get better.

We learned that there is strength in vulnerability and the truth is, life gets hard. You can be doing fine and then suddenly fear, or its other name anxiety, gets hold of you and starts telling you lies. Fear takes away your passion and motivation and energy and leaves you hollow, wondering why you are doing this at all. Let me tell you that when fear grabs onto you like that, it takes quite a bit more than self-care baths with candles and “me time” to snap out of it.

But there’s a verse in the Bible, it’s in 1 John 4 and it says: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…” and it continues on, but that part really got to me: “perfect love drives out fear.” And I got thinking, I know we are unconditionally and sacrificially loved by God, but how can I look at that kind of love in practical terms? How can it be something that’s going to drive out this consuming fear I’m feeling?

You and I are loved with this kind of love and that gives us the power to kick anxiety and worry to the curb with it because “perfect love drives out fear.”

I wish you all the very best in everything that you set out to do and I pray that love will win in every challenge you face.

Allana Walker (‘19) giving the Graduand Address during the afternoon Convocation ceremony.

The Art of Photography Dale Preston

Allana Walker, BA, ‘19

How does one sum up their entire university experience in five minutes, let alone the experiences of their entire graduating class?

In preparing for this afternoon, I tried to reflect on memories that would resonate with all of us, which was more challenging than I anticipated, despite the fact that we’re such a small school. Though I’ve gotten to know most of you fairly well over the last four years, I recognize that our experiences have been diverse, our memories differ, and our journeys have been unique.

The road to graduation isn’t always a smooth or easy one. There have been plenty of sleepless nights and stressful days along the way. But regardless of how long it’s taken you to get here or how many mountains you’ve had to climb along the way, I hope you take tremendous joy in knowing that we made it. Today is a day to celebrate.

As we celebrate, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the countless families, friends, and faculty members who have helped us to reach this milestone. We would not be here today without your encouragement and support.

My fellow graduates, regardless of where your journey leads you next, I hope you will always seek first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, relying not on your own strength, but on the Lord’s.

When I gave my valedictorian speech in high school, I was pretty darn proud. I was proud of myself in the sense that I was over-convinced of my own merit, and I overestimated my self-sufficiency. I was trying to live by my own strength—and it nearly destroyed me. Work, productivity, accomplishments: they were my idols, and serving them nearly killed me.

When I finally decided to surrender my hopes and dreams to God, He led me here to Crandall and introduced me to a community where your professors not only know you by name but care about your life story, where your classmates become dear and trusted friends, and where school feels more like a second home.

Thank you, my fellow graduates, professors, and all of you who keep Crandall thriving, for the grace, kindness, and support you have shown me over the years. You have challenged me. You have humbled me. You have shaped me, and for that I am eternally grateful.

In light of God’s mercy and grace, my brothers and sisters, let us “cast aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Let us not be conformed to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God our King Then we will be able to test and approve what his will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. Thank you.