FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New London, PA – June 1, 2004 – “Seniors Celebrating with their families!  That’s the focus!”  said Josh Mericle of West Grove, a senior at Avon Grove High and one of several 2004 seniors who are helping to coordinate this year’s Baccalaureate service.  “The service is an incredible time for students and their families to gather, celebrate & worship together as one body.”  Christi Lindstrom, one of the sponsors of the event through the Avondale Ministerium, said, “We want to recognize God’s role in the accomplishments of this year’s seniors, and to commission them to go into the world, serving God in order to make the world a better place.”

“I attended the Baccalaureate last year & helped out as an usher because my sister was speaking,” said Rob DiIenno of New London.  “It was pretty powerful and as a junior, I wanted to help make this happen for the senior class.  I see this as my opportunity to get involved in my school and be used by God to be a light to others.”  

“I wanted to be a part of the group responsible for sending the members of my class out into the world with some wisdom in their hearts,” said Pam Ferreira of Avondale. “The theme this year is ‘Stand Your Ground.’  I want to help give my fellow graduates confidence in what the future holds for them.  I want them to have strength and courage to face upcoming challenges and I hope the service will give them new faith.”

Dominick Raimato of West Grove echoed her hopes.  “I want to see a fresh feeling… a charge to go out.  I want to see people serve our Lord.  We must be prepared to survive all hardships that may arise in our lives ahead of us as we graduate and head out into the world.  If we can get that message across to one person, that Christ makes it possible to ‘Stand our Ground’ in all we do in life, it will have been a successful event.”

Baccalaureate is a nondenominational worship service planned by members of the class of 2004 and sponsored by the Avon Grove Ministerium.  This year, Baccalaureate will be held on June 9^th at 7 PM in the Avon Grove High School auditorium. The ceremony will begin with a melodrama, followed by prayers, songs, and various speakers.  Worship will be led by the Ground Zero Youth Ministry’s praise band ‘Claimed by Faith.’  The Avon Grove Golden Chorale will perform an anthem, and speeches will be given by seniors Dominick Raimato, Jen LaFemina, Lauren Needham, and teacher Mr. Wayne Howard centering around the theme “Stand Your Ground”.  

Lindstrom invites all graduating seniors, their families & the community to join in supporting Avon Grove’s class of 2004.   Please call 610-268-2919 for more information.

# # #

MEDIA NOTE:  For more information about the Baccalaureate Service, or to schedule an interview, please contact Christi Lindstrom at 610-268-2919 or Karen Batdorf at 610-869-2722.  The full text of this release is available online at www.gzyouth.com/press/