Copperas Cove class of 2023 attends Baccalaureate service
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
Graduation is right around the corner for Copperas Cove High School seniors, and many are ready to begin the next phase of their lives.
Before graduating, CCHS seniors were invited to attend the CCISD Class of 2023 Baccalaureate Service Sunday at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church.
Dressed in cap and gown, seniors attended the Baccalaureate which had representatives from First Baptist Church, Bibleway Baptist Church, and Northpointe Church. Each speaker encouraged the graduating seniors to maintain their faith and let the Lord guide them.
During the Baccalaureate, graduating senior Christian LaChica read a Bible verse, Philippians 4:6,7, which read, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
He explained the quote and talked about how God will help us and guard our hearts if we ask.
“I thought it fit really well with graduating. We are going into a time where we don’t know what we’re doing. We might be really anxious 24/7,” said LaChica. “So, guard this verse in your hearts and remember it when you struggle.”
The guest speaker for the event was Russel Cochran who graduated from CCHS in 2021 and currently owns a fencing and landscaping company called CR Fencing & More. He is enrolled in the Evangelical Methodist Haggard School of Ministry for Pastoral Ministry.
Cochran started his speech by listing out some of the things he had accomplished during his time at CCHS including playing a variety of sports, being a DECA member, and being elected for Homecoming King, but he said that none of that mattered afterwards for him. What really mattered for him was his faith.
“You’ll have a new life ahead of you,” said Cochran. “Your values and your faith are more important now than ever.”
Throughout the event, graduating seniors were encouraged to follow the Lord’s guidance. Cochran used DAWG as an acronym to encourage the seniors. Do what’s right in the sight of the Lord. Always pray. Watch your witness. Get in your Word.
Cochran told the graduates that even if they feel lonely or isolated that the Lord will always be there for them. He asked them to have faith and to be confident in what God has given them.
“It feels amazing,” said high school senior Cameron Robinson about graduating. “I’m finally here and it feels great!”
Robinson plans to attend Central Texas College to eventually become a sports analyst.
Robinson said that he thought the Baccalaureate was wonderful and said that he enjoyed Cochran’s speech.
“It helped us to connect,” said Robinson. He said his favorite part was when Cochran talked about “just having faith in the Lord and letting him guide you.”
High school senior Emma Grace Moris said that she enjoyed attending the Baccalaureate and said that she liked having the opportunity to pray with her fellow classmates.
“My faith has been very important to me,” said Moris.
Moris plans to go to Texas State University to ultimately become a high school band director. She said that her band directors, especially Ryan Stewart, have been a huge positive influence in her life, and she hopes to be able to inspire future generations in the same way.
Moris said that she was very proud to be able to call herself a Copperas Cove High School graduate. Her family is military, and they’ve moved around a lot, but she considers herself fortunate to have spent the last three years in Cove.
“This is the place I consider home,” said Moris.
Moris said that she was inspired Cochran’s speech, especially the part about staying in the Word and remembering not to be isolated.