Freedom Area High School has held a baccalaureate ceremony for many years, and the tradition continued in 2015. Each year, as seniors await their moment to take the stage on Freedom’s football field for the last time, the baccalaureate, which is a non-denominational, intimate and quiet version of commencement ceremony, remains another event that students attend before graduating.

Many students may not know what a baccalaureate entails, but it’s a time to reflect on the previous years of high school, and look towards the future.Faculty members, alumni and other community members may offer advice to the new seniors, and it’s also an opportunity for musical talents of the Freedom students, faculty and community members to be displayed. Festivities also include an invocation and benediction from local pastors around the Freedom School District.

This year, the festivities include musical selections from the “Your Story Band,” which includes Seniors Ryan Edder and Josh Battaglia. Freedom alumni Zac Malinak will be singing “Being Alive” from the Broadway musical, “Company” and Senior Ashley Malinak will be performing a duet with Junior Lara Pavlick titled “For Good” from the Broadway musical, “Wicked”. Senior Robert Raso will be performing “Ave Maria,” a well-known art song written by Franz Schubert. Senior Rylie Barnes will be singing “My Heart Will Go On,” made popular as a track from the movie, “Titanic.” Refreshments will also be served in the lobby at the end of the program.

“I believe that God is needed in everybody’s life, and they need to know that He will be with them after they graduate from high school. Because I care about the kids, I feel a blessing will make that complete,” Freedom High School Secretary, Mrs. Ellen Hill said.

All seniors and Freedom students are encouraged to attend for a night of reflection before graduation, marking the first step into the adult world.

“The baccalaureate is a sending-forth service. It’s for a population of students who want that religious aspect in their graduation ceremonies, and I am grateful that I am in a community and school district that supports this for our students,” Freedom High School Principal, Mr. William Deal said.

The 20th annual baccalaureate service will be held on Tuesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. in the Freedom High School auditorium.