(Lander, WY) – Last weekend, five participating homeschool students had the honor to partake in a graduation ceremony just like their in-school peers, thanks to the efforts of Danyel Kimsey, the folks at the Rock Church, and the LOR Foundation.
Kimsey explained at the ceremony that when her daughter, Emma, decided she wanted to complete her education through homeschooling, she was “quickly faced with the reality that she would not have the right of passage of walking with classmates in a cap and gown, or even receive a diploma when she finished.”
“You can create it for her,” Kimsey said she thought at the time as she teared up thinking of the memory. In the ensuing time, she shared the idea with friends, who connected her with Ami Vincent at the LOR Foundation, which ultimately funded the endeavor.
After Jeff Courtier at the Rock Church agreed to let them use the church as a venue, and with help from “some amazing moms and a couple of teenage girls,” her vision came to fruition.
In addition to Emma, graduates included Carson Deeds (Lander), Forrest Dike (Lander), Emma Smith (Riverton), and Heidi Shade (Lander).
After an opening prayer, Pastor Just Vold from First Baptist Church on Sweetwater and Hudson Baptist Church, and Pastor Danny Bauer from Word of Faith Family Church, gave impassioned speeches that reminded students to always look to their faith as they now go on into adulthood.
Heidi Shade, the student speaker, also addressed the crowd.
“This is a really special occasion,” Shade commented before describing what the life of a homeschool student is like. “Let’s be honest, our homeschool journey was pretty awesome. We mastered subjects on our own schedule, (and) we became experts on turning ordinary tasks into educational experiences…”
“We all had a different journey, but we all had to answer the ever-popular question, ‘Wait, you’re homeschooled? So you’re like socially awkward, right?'” Heidi joked to laughs from her peers. “Anyone who has been homeschooled has been asked that a few too many times.”
“…We know the road ahead is exciting, unpredictable, and maybe even a little intimidating,” Shade continued. “If homeschool has taught us anything, it’s that we don’t have to know every step…” Shade concluded before quoting a portion of Psalm 119.
Following Shade’s speech, Emma performed “The Blessing,” originally done by Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Cody Carnes, and Kari Jobe, with accompaniment from Pastor Michael Bauer.
Following Bauer’s speech, it was officially time for the graduates to receive their certificates. The pastors shared some of the students’ history and future plans while they took to the stage.
Congratulations, Class of 2025 homeschool graduates!