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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor 

NORTH SHELBY – Students marched across the auditorium to the sound of bagpipes before throwing their caps in celebration of a milestone moment in their lives during graduation at the Westminster School at Oak Mountain.

The Upper School of the Westminster School at Oak Mountain said farewell to 38 students during its commencement ceremony and celebration on Saturday, May 11 at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church.

“Today, our collective journey comes to an end,” Valedictorian Elizabeth Bandura said. “When we change directions, majors, jobs or even colleges, I encourage each of us to stay grounded in our stronghold and savior, He is our source of joy.”

Bandura shared that the class of 2024 overcame many obstacles during their time at Westminster, including the COVID-19 pandemic, four administration changes and changing teachers. The student body also fellowshipped with one another and Bandura specifically remarked on their ability to hold an in-class party together to enjoy food and each other’s company.

“I know there are things about Westminster that we love and things that have frustrated us, but I challenge each of us to look back at this time through a lens of gratitude for common moments when our adaptability and spontaneity serve us well,” she said.

The class of 2024 walks away from Westminster with $2,090,700 in scholarships in awards after being offered $7,274.298. Bandura was named as the class’s valedictorian and Jonathan Sellers was named its salutatorian.

In addition, four seniors in the class received perfect scores on the ACT, thirty students in the class were awarded with the Senior Leadership Award and 11 seniors earned a Fine Arts award for participating in five or more fine arts activities.

The class of 2024 also found success in the field of athletics and were involved in 20 area or section championships with five state runner-ups and three state championships. The class also has an AHSAA All-Star Athlete and a college signee.

Senior Adleigh Metcalf represented Westminster and the area in the AHSAA’s Bryant-Jordan Foundation’s Achievement Award. Alexander Montgomery was selected as the 2A Region 4 Scholar-Athlete winner of the Bryant-Jordan Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Award. Additionally, 18 seniors received the Senior Athletic Award for lettering three or more varsity sports.

Now with diploma’s in hand and years of education behind them, the Westminster School at Oak Mountain class of 2024 looks to the future as the students take the next step in their individual careers and lives.

“Our elementary, middle school, high school experiences are all we know,” Bandura said. “They have formed us. We are equipped with truth. We have grown in wisdom, virtue, eloquence whether we see it or not. We walk out of here today knowing that Christ is with us whatever lies ahead.”