Graduation Is the Fruit of Teamwork at Fideles Christian School

On Saturday Fideles Christian School in Cumming, Georgia, graduated its first crop of seniors. Similar graduation ceremonies may have been taking place all across America that day, but for those parents, relatives and teachers who filled the Fideles auditorium Saturday morning, our ten graduates were the only ones in the world. Few young people are fortunate enough to have so many who have invested so much in their lives as those ten.

Indeed, these graduating seniors show what can be accomplished when like-minded people come together as a team in a common goal. First in this group are the parents who parented and home-schooled their children consciously and deliberately with the development of their character as well as their intellect in mind. Many of these parents also volunteered their blood, sweat and tears at the school for the sake of all the students. Partnering with them was a small, but dedicated group of teachers at Fideles who view their calling to students as one of discipleship, not just impartation of facts. They understand that learning to reason and to gain and apply wisdom from the facts is more important than simply memorizing the facts themselves. The work of Fideles parents and teachers was also ably under girded by a very dedicated administrative staff of similar vision who patiently and efficiently managed and balanced the unending demands of teachers, students and parents. And let us not forget the students themselves, who worked hard--often balancing academics with jobs, sports, church and other activities—to make it to graduation day.

This partnership would not have been possible, however, without the indefatigable leadership of Jonny and Ellen Whisenant, the founders and directors of the school. Giving up a more lucrative career a few short years ago, the Whisenants started Fideles with a clear vision and burning passion to build and send out young disciples into the world to carry righteousness, excellence and a better way into every area of our darkening culture. These unsung heroes have made enormous sacrifices for this goal with courage, faith, enthusiasm, patience, love and a healthy dose of good humor. It is their leadership that has pulled everyone’s efforts together to a common end. Fideles students, parents, administrators, and teachers all owe Jonny and Ellen a huge debt of gratitude.

For everyone who was involved, and for Jonny and Ellen in particular, Saturday was a sweet day. To hand out the diplomas to each graduate in his or her cap and gown at this first graduation ceremony must have brought them untold satisfaction and joy along with the knowledge that it has been worth it all. Who knows what world changers are among those ten graduates. Thank God for teams like the directors, parents, teachers, and administrators of Fideles Christian School who are willing to work together to help launch the next generation into their places in the world.

Congratulations, Fideles graduates! Go forth and conquer!