As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, the Oregon Conference of Seventh-day Adventists proudly honors the accomplishments and dedication of this year’s graduating classes! From elementary schools to junior and senior academies, we continue to be inspired by our students.

“I would like to congratulate the 2024 graduates on your remarkable achievements and perseverance,” shared Ron Jacaban, Oregon Conference VP for education. “To the faculty and staff, thank you for your unwavering dedication, leadership, and guidance. May God continue to guide your paths, and may you continue to inspire and uplift one another with the spirit of compassion and gratitude you have shown this year!”

While not every school celebrates graduations for kindergarten graduation, nearly 250 students completed their kindergarten year in Oregon Conference schools this year! Nearly 200 eighth graders graduated from our elementary schools and junior academies, and over 100 students graduated from their final year of academy! The largest graduating senior class this year was Portland Adventist Academy’s Class of 2024, followed closely by Milo Adventist Academy. The largest classes advancing from both eighth grade and kindergarten this year were those attending Meadow Glade Adventist Elementary School!

Looking beyond Oregon Conference schools, we also extend a heartfelt “Congratulations!” to our graduating pastors from Andrews University this year, notably Pastor Joshua Withers, who received his Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree this spring, Pastor Ashok Wilmott, who received his Master of Divinity degree and will be returning to pastor in Oregon this year, and Pastor Ryan Whitehead, who received his Doctor of Ministry degree with his dissertation titled, “A Strategic Approach to Discipleship Culture and System at the Adventist Vancouver Church of Vancouver, WA.”

Many Oregon Conference families made the trip to Walla Walla University to celebrate with their graduates as well this June. If you wanted to attend, but weren’t able to, you can find the university’s archived graduation service livestream at https://www.wallawalla.edu/resources/family-resources/graduation.

As these graduates embark on the next chapter of their lives, let us continue to offer all of the prayer, love, and support we can to them! May they continue to uphold the principles of faith, service, and love that our educators work hard to inspire them to every year, and as we celebrate these milestones as a conference family, may we all renew our commitment to providing quality Christ-centered education to each generation in the years to come!